Effects of dietary algae as fishmeal replacement on survival and growth of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus

REU Fellow: Henna Gavem, Florida Gulf Coast University

Mentor: Dr. Anthony Siccardi

Algal Turf Scrubber (ATS) systems are effective at removing excess inorganic nutrients from wastewater effluent. ATS systems utilize a biofilm that is submerged in the high nutrient water flow way to cultivate a community of periphyton that utilizes sunlight and excess nutrients to form a high ash content biomass. Algae harvested can be used for bioremediation in wastewater effluent and then redirected for feedstock in place of unsustainable dietary components such as fishmeal, which have been globally overharvested. Sea urchin gonads are considered a delicacy resulting in the overharvesting and subsequently the formation of aquaculture of the species to meet the demand, requiring sustainable dietary components. We assessed sea urchin growth with diets composed of algae as fishmeal replacement in order to quantify differences between growth of urchins with diets composed of WWTP algae vs. aquaponics algae and to determine if high ash content algae is an appropriate fishmeal substitute for aquaculture.