Chatham University
IN-25: Innovation B

The Eden Hall Campus Aquaculture lab has developed a fully integrated program surrounding the current group of rainbow trout housed in the facility. This batch of rainbow trout, which are native to the West Coast of the United States, arrived in February 2017. Data is being collected on how fish-related variables (e.g., coloration, taste, texture, size, and growth rate) are affected by environmental variables (e.g., insect-based vs. plant-based fish food, amount fed, and water source). This information will later be applied to fine tune conditions to support native Pennsylvania Brook Trout aquaculture in the Eden Hall lab. As of Spring 2018 the trout have become ready for harvest and the CRAFT program has created a course, which is open to the public, to educate on how to humanely harvest the fish. The trout are also harvested by students every Tuesday and Friday for service in the Eden Hall cafe. Additionally, in the Fall of 2017 Masters of Sustainability Students were asked to research sustainable options for disposal of the water used in the recirculating aquaculture system. In order to maintain the health of the trout, regular partial water changes are needed once the fish reach maturity to prevent toxicity.

Links: https://www.chatham.edu/events/details.cfm?eventID=21932 https://www.chatham.edu/news/index.php/2017/02/chatham-views/chatham-resettles-new-residents http://triblive.com/local/northhills/13304040-74/chathams-aquaculture-lab-serves-up-lenten-feast-lesson-in-sustainability#new_tab