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LEADING THE MIDWEST IN SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

A UNIQUE STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

The UWSP NADF joins only a handful of facilities in the nation that offer similar capabilities in research, demonstration and education.
Increase by 15
COLD AND COOLWATER FISH SPECIES RESEARCHED
7
AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS DEMONSTRATED
100Percent
JOB PLACEMENT RATING FOR STUDENTS TRAINED IN THE PROGRAM

IMPORTANCE OF AQUACULTURE

Aquaculture, or the culture of aquatic organisms, is currently the fastest growing segment of food production globally and now supports over 50% of seafood consumed. With the world’s population increasing and the high demand for seafood, aquaculture is working to meet this demand with wild caught fisheries.

PROTECTING AND PRESERVING WILD FISH WHILE PROVIDING SAFE, HEALTHY SEAFOOD FOR A GROWING WORLD

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (UWSP NADF) is the university’s northern most campus located in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The University’s College of Letters and Science directs the facility in collaboration with various partners based on projects and program goals.

ABOUT US

UWSP NADF is a one-of-a-kind facility in the Midwest and joins only a handful in the U.S. that provide applied research, demonstration, education and workforce development capabilities. The state-of the-art, dynamic facility, showcases new advances in aquaculture system technology such as sustainable land based recirculating aquaculture, while also providing traditional aquaculture systems such as flow through raceways and outdoor ponds for industry-based research projects. The facility is national leader in aquaculture training and skill development, leading to nearly 100% job placement for aquaculture technicians and interns.

Our mission for the UWSP-Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility is to promote public education and advance the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge for sustainable aquaculture in a northern climate.

Our vision for the facility is a center that shall be recognized for promoting sustainable aquaculture among the public, private and tribal sectors through technology transfer, applied research, demonstration, and outreach.

Wisconsin’s has over 2,000 registered commercial fish farms, 14 state hatcheries, 2 federal hatcheries and all the resources needed to accommodate significant expansion. The facility serves as an incubator for new aquaculture practices, providing students and faculty resources for the development of life-long learning.

Commercial Application of Research and Demonstration

The facility operates a variety of semi-commercially scaled systems including incubation, larval and grow-out systems with tanks ranging in size from 260L to over 11,000L.

The facility’s main 790m2 (8,500 ft2) aquatic production barn contains adaptable, open work areas with access to both cold and heated water, aeration, and oxygen support.

The aquatic barn contains:

  • Custom Bell jar and Heath tray egg incubation systems for various cold and coolwater fish.

  • Two larval rearing rooms with 43 replicated 260L tanks with complete water temperature, turbidity, lighting, tank inflow, and environmental control.

  • Two modern semi-commercially scaled 23,000 – 44,000L RAS grow-out systems (cool-water and cold-water, respectively) with 6-8 replicated tanks. These main recirculating systems utilized for grow-out include modern efficient technologies such as Cornel-style dual drain tanks, microscreen drum filter, fluidized sand biofiltration, degassing column, temperature control, oxygen cone or low head oxygenators, and ultraviolet sterilization.

  • Six 1,780L replicated RAS systems with 24 tanks, 260L each. These systems include Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) controlled pumping stations, solids removal, moving bed biofiltration, various oxygen supplementation and UV sterilization.

  • Analytical water quality testing and research laboratory.

Outdoors the facility operates:

  • Four, 0.16-hectare aerated clay lined, drainable ponds with a common fish collection basin for harvest.

  • A high-tunnel building containing two, linear raceways (20.4 m3) with flow through, degassed and aerated, cold (7.6°C) water.

  • A second high-tunnel building containing partial RAS technology utilizing dual-drain round 1960L tanks with integrated radial flow separators, degassing/aeration column, common sump and pump station.

  • Two effluent drainage settling ponds and a created wetland for final polishing of effluent water before discharge into an intermittent stream.

The University’s College of Letters and Sciences directs the facility along with various partnerships based on projects and program goals. Our partnerships include federal, tribal, and state fish hatcheries, natural resource agencies, private fish farms, various universities, Wisconsin public schools (K-12) and others. These partnerships may involve technology transfer, providing fish and assistance, outreach and demonstration, education, and research.

The facility has a wide range of partnerships from private, federal, state and tribal hatcheries and facilities to various schools, universities and other organizations.

“The NADF provides a range of invaluable and unique services for Wisconsin and the Midwest…Presently, we are working cooperatively with at least three stakeholders that rely heavily on the NADF facilities for research and support.”

-Dr. Steven Summerfelt
 Past Director of Aquaculture Systems Research
 The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute, West Virginia

 

 

CURRENT PROJECTS
The UW-Stevens Point aquaculture program and NADF has been awarded over $5 million in federal and private grant funds to support and advance Wisconsin Aqua-business (Aquaculture and Aquaponics). These projects involve scientific and technological entrepreneurship that impacts education, applied research, commercialization, new venture creation and regional economic development. Throughout the year, our projects also include tours and technical assistance as well as technical presentations. Operational funding for NADF is derived from tribal gaming revenue, not Wisconsin taxpayers. Grant and private funding is used to conduct individual research projects.
Strain evaluation Atlantic salmon
EVALUATION OF ATLANTIC SALMON STRAINS IN RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS
Atlantic salmon strain evaluation
SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS SUPPORTING ATLANTIC SALMON
COMMERCIAL APPLICATION OF OUT-OF-SEASON SPAWNING OF WALLEYE
ADVANCING THE GREAT LAKES AQUACULTURE COLLABORATIVE (GLAC)
larval walleye raised intensively at UWSP NADF
INITIAL PROTEIN SOURCE FOR SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION OF PERCID FINGERLINGS
EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY GREAT LAKES AQUACULTURE THROUGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS
Jared, Aquaculture Technician at UWSP NADF holds up Atlantic salmon
PARTNERING TO BOOST AQUACULTURE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN WISCONSIN

AQUACULTURE EDUCATION

WORLD CLASS AQUACULTURE EDUCATION

UW-Stevens Point is leading the nation in aquaculture and aquaponic education opportunities through Wisconsin’s first aquaculture minor, aquaculture courses, K-12 student and educator opportunities, as well as hands-on internships and trainings at the state-of-the-art UWSP NADF.
Emma Hauser places Atlantic salmon back into rearing tank

AQUACULTURE LEARNING PATHWAYS

Job placement through UWSP NADF

AQUACULTURE INTERNSHIPS & TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAM

UWSP NADF Educational Events

K-12 EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

RECENT NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Articles, Publications, Conferences

UWSP NADF Staff
ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

WE’RE HIRING

NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS!

The NADF Animal Care Technician III serves as a staff member in all aspects involving the culture and husbandry of fish and assists with performing activities defined in grant funded research projects. This position will also coordinate project activities with University Staff Temporary Employees, volunteers, and interns at the facility. The position will also perform general maintenance functions on equipment and building and grounds maintenance. Learn more or apply!

WI MN Aquaculture Conference Flier
MARCH 22-23, 2024

REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE!

WISCONSIN & MINNESOTA AQUACULTURE CONFERENCE 2024

UWSP NADF has collaborated with the Wisconsin and Minnesota Aquaculture Association to host the upcoming annual aquaculture conference, which will be held on Friday, March 22nd – Saturday March 23rd at the Legendary Waters Resort and Casino in Red Cliff, near Bayfield, Wisconsin. This conference is also in collaboration with The Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative, Wisconsin Sea Grant and Minnesota Sea Grant. View the tentative Agenda or Register.

NEW VIDEO

MARKET RESEARCH FOR ATLANTIC SALMON IN RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

Newest project film from UWSP NADF and Maryland Sea Grant Extension on current market research being done for Atlantic salmon raised in water reuse systems.

AT SUPERIOR FRESH, HIXTON, WI

APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITY IN RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS

LEARN IMPORTANT SKILLS IN RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS

UW-Stevens Point has partnered with world’s largest aquaponics facility, Superior Fresh, to offer a PAID 6-month apprenticeship to gain hands on experience and skills to raise Atlantic salmon in land based, water reuse systems. DEADLINE EXTENDED THROUGH SUMMER 2023, APPLY NOW!

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