Fleming College
IN-25: Innovation B

Fleming College is involved in two unique aquaculture research studies involving Pacific White legs Shrimp(Penaeus vannamei) as well as Lake Simcoe Muskellunge(Esox masquinongy). In both instances, we raise the species in onsite hatcheries, conducting research and teaching students as part of our award-winning Aquaculture programs. Species restoration is a growing field in aquaculture and we work closely with the provincial government, NGOs and industry partners to advance the ecological restoration and sustainable farming practices. The Juvenile Muskellunge Acoustic Tagging Study is an innovative new research practice with the Aquaculture Program at Fleming College. This is a collaborative project using advanced telemetry systems of acoustic tagging with government and NGO partnerships with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Muskies Canada Inc. This tagging study researches the efficacy of a less invasive procedure, more accurate monitoring and efficient planning to re-establish a self- sustaining the population of this fish species in Lake Simcoe, which has been extirpated since the mid-1980s. Acoustic tags transmit an underwater sound signal or acoustic "ping" that sends identification information about the tagged fish to hydrophones. The hydrophone receiver receives the sound signal and converts it to digital data that researchers use to plot the resulting tag positions in 3D, in real-time. This system uses a transducer to propagate the signal; no whip antenna is needed which leads to higher survival rates in the fish and more accurate data. The Pacific Whiteleg Shrimp Probiotic Water Treatment study is aimed to determine the effect of various dose of probiotics in the culture water to the growth, disease control and mortality of Pacific whiteleg Shrimp for sustainable shrimp farming. This study consist of treatment control and treatment of various dose of probiotics in a hatchery environment. The Fleming College Aquaculture program is a leader in advancing future sustainability of the Aquaculture industry by taking on innovative projects and pilot studies to provide a proof of concept for new technologies and techniques. Through both the Juvenile Musklellunge Acoustic Tagging Study as well as the Pacific Shrimp Probiotic Water Treatment study, Fleming College demonstrates leadership and innovation that contributes to ecological restoration of wild species and sustainable commercial food systems. This innovation initiative embeds United Nation SDG goals of 2- Zero Hunger, 9- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,12- Responsible Consumption and Production, 14- Life Below Water, 13- Climate Action.

https://flemingcollege.ca/focus-on-fleming/hands-on-learning-in-the-hatchery/