Aquaculture CE Specialist (100% CE)
Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis
Position: The Aquaculture Specialist will provide science-based information related to the freshwater and
marine aquaculture industry, jurisdictional agencies, and the general public; and will operate as a clientele
specialist working directly with the aquaculture industry. Where expertise exists, the Specialist will
collaborate with county-based extension personnel. The Specialist will bring statewide leadership and
coordination to the research and extension efforts of the interdisciplinary UCCE team to improve
aquaculture operations statewide. He/she will conduct independent research and/or collaborate with
multidisciplinary teams conducting applied research on any aspect of aquaculture, with emphasis
addressing key problems facing the industry; and develop educational resources and disseminate
information related to aquaculture production, regulations and public policy.
General disciplinary focus: The Specialist will possess applied and theoretical expertise in both
freshwater and marine aquaculture; knowledge of the basic technologies used in extensive and intensive
production systems; and the ability to modify traditional culture approaches to address ecological,
economic and political challenges facing California. The Specialist will have knowledge of the biology
and culture of both finfish and shellfish with the ability to address new, emerging species and culture
systems. Educational and professional background requirements: Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or
equivalent) degree in an aqua-related discipline with an aquaculture emphasis at the time of appointment;
the ability to develop an active research program, including a demonstrated ability to produce peerreviewed publications, outreach publications and presentations. Supporting units: The Specialist will be
stationed in the Department of Animal Science on the Davis campus. The position is also supported by
the Centers for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture; Health and the Environment; Animal Welfare; and the
California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratories (Aquatics).
Justification: California’s 1500-mile coastline, plus its variable inland macro- and microclimates, support
the most taxonomically diverse aquaculture industry in the nation. The total industry has an annual farmgate value of over 100-million dollars and is a major contributor to the State’s multibillion-dollar
recreational fishing industry. This unequaled array of freshwater and marine species are cultured in a
multitude of production systems including extensive ponds, intensive flow-through tanks and raceways
systems, closed and recycle systems, aquaponics, variations of off-bottom culture techniques for shellfish,
near-shore marine cage culture and the developing off-shore molluscan and finfish industries. Challenges
facing contemporary California industries include the sustainability of existing aquatic commodities and
developing potential new species, within the regulatory framework and environmental philosophy of the
State. Besides the traditional challenges facing the aquaculture industry to maintain sustainability, major
challenges involve the competition for California’s limited freshwater resources. Innovative aquaculture
can be a non-consumptive user of water, and has opportunity to provide solutions for limited water
resources and a healthy environment. Recycle aquaculture technology can reduce water consumption by
80 percent, and the 10-20 percent daily water discharge can meets standard for secondary plant-crop
production. Emerging aquaponics systems, that combine fish culture with vegetable production using the
nutrient-rich tank discharge in a recycle system, have application for both rural and urban settings.
Provided proper support, aquaculture can remain a major agriculture producer and contribute significantly
to efficient water management and to agriculture plant production.
Extension: The Aquaculture Specialist will operate as a clientele specialist, provide leadership, facilitate
teamwork, develop collaborative relationships with colleagues, and ensure appropriate external input into
the planning of University research and educational programs. He/she will extend science-based
aquaculture information to the State’s industry, interact with jurisdictional agencies through committee
and personal input regarding aquaculture regulations and public policy, and provide basic aquaculture
information and general assistance to entities interested in starting an aquaculture operation. The
Aquaculture CE Specialist (100% CE)
Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis
Specialist will develop extension materials and programs targeted at aquaculture practitioners,
government policy makers, and the general public.
Research: Potential areas of research may include, but are not limited to: recycle systems including
aquaponics and effluents for hydroponics; finfish and shellfish reproduction; early stage feeding; finfish
and shellfish production; nutritional growth trials; modification of production system designs; shellfish
sanitation analytical systems and modeling; technology for humane finfish slaughter; remote setting of
shellfish, and production protocols for native species; and aquatic animal stress. Scholarly outlets may
include such publications as Aquaculture, J. World Aquaculture Society, J. Applied Aquaculture,
Aquaculture Nutrition, American Society of Agriculture & Biological Engineering and J. of
Environmental Health.
ANR Network: The Specialist will serve as a key conduit to producers and state federal agencies that
interface with the commercial industry. Departmental collaborators include an Aquaculture Specialist
(Conte), Environmental Quality Specialist (Meyer), and a Biotechnology Specialist (Van Eenennaam).
Other units hosting UCCE faculty and associated researchers include Animal Science (Chang, Hung,
Kueltz, May, Miller, Schreier, Todgham, Mench); Engineering: (Piedrahita); Vet Med (Nyaoke; Teh);
Environmental Toxicology (Cherr); Wildlife Conservation Biology (Fangue and Fisheries Specialist
Thompson); and the Center for Health & the Environment (Murata). The Specialist will translate basic
and applied science, policy and protocols useful to large and small producers within the state and provide
aquaculture information to the general public.
Network External to ANR: The Specialist will interact with: the California Aquaculture Association;
federal and state agencies that impact freshwater and marine aquaculture; the State Aquaculture
Development and the State Aquatic Disease committees; the Western Regional Aquaculture Center.
Support: The Department provides travel funds, office, administrative support, computing support, and
laboratory space.
Other Support: Potential sources of extramural funding for outreach programs and research for this
position include the USDA-supported Western Regional Aquaculture Center, USDA’s National Institute
for Food and Agriculture, and the California Sea Grant Program.
Location: The position will be located in the Department of Animal Science on the Davis campus
providing the opportunity for multidisciplinary research interactions with other members of the ANR
community including the School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Agricultural Sustainability Institute.
Location on the Davis campus also offers excellent opportunities for collaborative research and
interaction with State agency personnel and to convey information to the aquaculture industry, the general
public, and California state legislators.
Developed and proposed by: This position was developed by the UC Davis, Dept. of Animal Science
with input from UC Supporting units including California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory
System and outside stakeholder groups; and including the Board of Directors and advisors of the
California Aquaculture Association (CAA), CAA producers, the Aquaculture Specialist’s commodity
advisors, and is submitted by UC Davis CA&ES.