Projects

Goal: Develop a rapid, field-based system for monitoring pathogens in shellfish-growing waters. InnovaPrep, a Missouri-based biotechnology company, developed a first-generation system for concentrating large volumes of seawater into small samples suitable for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. The technology was designed to enable rapid detection of Vibrio and other human pathogens in shellfish-growing waters, supporting real-time monitoring by growers, r

Goal: Strengthen the Hopi Reservation's economy through sustainable desert agriculture while preserving its cultural traditions. As traditional subsistence farming became less economically viable, Hopi leaders sought new ways to revitalize agriculture, create local employment, and encourage younger generations to remain on the Reservation. TerrAqua partnered with the Negev Foundation, Hopi communities, Israeli agricultural experts, and a UC Davis agronomist to adapt proven de

Goal: Develop a commercially viable land-based system for producing premium half-shell Eastern oysters. Ocean Equities, LLC, TerrAqua, and the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) at the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus collaborated on a proof-of-concept project to evaluate whether Eastern oysters could be grown economically in a recirculating saltwater aquaculture system. Building on earlier success with Pacific oysters, the project assessed the com

Goal: Evaluate innovative technologies that could improve the safety, quality, and affordability of post-harvest oyster treatment. Naturally occurring Vibrio bacteria pose an ongoing food safety challenge for the shellfish industry, particularly during warmer months. Existing post-harvest treatments can be expensive and may affect oyster quality, creating a need for more effective, affordable, and consumer-friendly alternatives. TerrAqua was part of a multidisciplinary team t

Goal: Help commercialize an innovative offshore fish cage technology for sustainable, large-scale marine aquaculture. Mariculture Systems, an Israeli start-up, developed a patented semi-submersible offshore fish cage designed to operate in exposed, open-ocean environments. During severe weather, the cages can be lowered below the surface, allowing fish to avoid rough seas while taking advantage of the cleaner, well-oxygenated waters found offshore. The technology was designed