The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is requesting applications a funding opportunity for small businesses to prove scientific or technical feasibility of innovations specific to aquaculture.  The closing date for applications is September 6, 2012.  

This is one of 10 topic areas in the USDA SBIR program. The Aquaculture topic area aims to develop new technologies that will enhance the knowledge and technology base necessary for the continued growth of the domestic aquaculture industry as a form of production agriculture. Seafood production from the wild is under increased pressure due to overfishing and pollution and therefore aquaculture is increasingly becoming an important source of seafood and an important contributor to improve food security. In this context new technologies are needed to protect aquaculture species against disease and to improve production efficiency. Emphasis is placed on research leading to improved production efficiency and increased competitiveness of private sector aquaculture in the United States. Studies on commercially important, or potentially important, species of fish, shellfish and plants from both freshwater and marine environments are included. Details.