Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center
ID
AREC-224NP (AREC-304NP)
The VSAREC is dedicated to actively engaging with industry and research partners to identify and respond to emerging needs and support the future of the historic seafood industry — in Virginia and beyond. Through technical assistance, training, process validation, value-added product development, and more, we help our stakeholders ensure product quality, safety, and viability.
Recognized as a center of excellence for live feeds and hatchery production technologies, we work to advance aquaculture research and development. A new and expanded research facility opened in 2022 and includes aquaculture research facilities that are highly adjustable with the capacity to operate freshwater, brackish, and saltwater systems.
Additional facilities include a classroom, offices, and laboratories where researchers advance technology in cellular agriculture, alternative proteins, and sustainable food systems. Interwoven with other core center programs, research in economics and marketing covers areas of business development, regulatory impact assessment, and economic impact analysis for industry sectors.
“The food safety program at the VSAREC provides technical assistance to the Virginia seafood industry. These services, including Spanish-language safety training, help processors comply with federal and state regulations. It is very rewarding to know that the program supports keeping people in business while providing high-quality, safe products for families here in Virginia.”
KATHERYN PARRAGA-ESTRADA
EXTENSION SPECIALIST - MUSCLE FOOD SAFETY
“Virginia Tech is vital to our business. From sanitation practices to validation tests and employee training, they do it all. We are so fortunate to have them as next door neighbors.”
CASEY GRAHAM
VICE-PRESIDENT OF GRAHAM AND ROLLINS, INC.
VIRGINIA SEAFOOD AREC AT A GLANCE
DISCIPLINES
- Food and seafood safety
- Process validation and engineering
- Cellular agriculture and alternative proteins
- Aquaculture
- Green energy
- Economics and marketing
- Public policy and regulatory impact assessment
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
- Controlled environment agriculture
- Cell-based meat and bioprinting
- Nanogas
FACILITIES
- Recirculating aquaculture systems
- Aquatic habitat systems
- Microbiology lab
- Cell culture lab
- Classroom for teaching and training
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
- Aquaculture, including hydroponics, aquaponics
- Seafood producers, processors, distributors, and retailers
- Seafood end-users and consumers
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA SEAFOOD AREC
The mission of the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center is to provide education, scientific and technical guidance, support and leadership to the commercial seafood and aquaculture industries throughout Virginia and the United States. Our faculty work collaboratively with other researchers, Extension agents, and the industry to address the challenges and needs of our seafood and aquaculture stakeholders to ensure safe, sustainable, and wholesome seafood for all of us to enjoy.
A COLLABORATIVE NETWORK
The ARECs are a network of 11 centers strategically located throughout the state that emphasize close working relationships between Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the industries they work with. The mission of the system is to engage in innovative, leading-edge research to discover new scientific knowledge and create and disseminate science-based applications that ensure the wise use of agricultural, natural, and community resources while enhancing quality of life.
PARTNER WITH US
15 Rudd Lane
Hampton, VA 23669
(757) 727-4861
www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/virginia-seafood
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.
Publication Date
January 1, 2024
