Western Regional Aquaculture Center Alaska*Arizona*California*Colorado*Idaho*Montana* Nevada*New Mexico*Oregon*Utah*Washington*Wyoming

BACKGROUND
The concept of cooperative regional research was developed to stimulate and facilitate interstate and inter-institutional research of a regional or national character, and to plan and coordinate research to achieve replication while avoiding duplication of effort. The goals of this program of cooperation regional research are to:

• Bring together competent scientific talent from participating universities and other agencies to work on problems of significance to the aquaculture community;
• Address, by team effort, problems too costly in manpower and/or funds for timely resolution by a single institution;
• Facilitate the interpretation and application of project results; and
• Stimulate and encourage an exchange of ideas and research approaches through consultation and cooperation among scientists.

Regional research supported by the Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC) is a joint effort directed toward solving problems related to aquaculture in the broader sense, including consumer concerns. There are two characteristics which distinguish Regional Aquaculture Centers from other types of research organizations: (1) the research focuses on a specific and significant problem of concern to two or more states within a region; and (2) the research is planned and conducted as a coordinated effort in which the participating scientists are mutually responsible for accomplishing the objectives.

A regional research effort may either be shared by a number of research stations or concentrated at one central facility, depending on the nature of the problem and the most effective use of resources. A regional research effort is not, however, a simple compilation of individual projects that could be completed as effectively by the individual locations.

In 1985, Congress authorized the establishment of four regional centers in the U.S. for coordinating aquaculture research, development and demonstration in association with colleges and universities, state Departments of Agriculture, federal facilities, and non-profit private research institutions. The Omnibus Spending Bill of 1986 established the four Centers as part of a continuing resolution to be submitted to the President of the United States, and legislation was later passed in 1988 to expand the number of Centers to five, at the following locations:

North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC)

Michigan State University, 13 Natural Resources Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222; phone: (517) 353-1962; fax (517) 353-7181; NCRAC's website

Director: Dr. Ted R. Batterson

Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center (NRAC)

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, Research 201, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300; phone: (508) 999-8157: fax (508) 999-8590; NRAC's website

Director: Dr. Tom Jamir

Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC)

Delta Research and Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 197, Stoneville, MS 38776-0197; phone: (662) 686-3286; fax (662) 686-3569;SRAC's website

Director: Dr. Craig Tucker

The Center for Tropical/Subtropical Aquaculture (CTSA)

University of Hawaii and Oceanic Institute, Makapuu Point, 41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795-1820; phone: (808) 259-7951; fax (808) 259-8395; CTSA's website

Director: Dr. Cheng-Sheng Lee

Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC)

University of Washington, School of Fishey & Aquatic Science, Box 355020, Seattle, WA 98195-5020; phone: (206) 543-4291; fax (206) 685-4674; email: wrac@u.washington.edu

Director: Dr. Graham Young

At the national level, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for the overall administration of Aquaculture Regional Funds, and direct responsibility has been delegated to the Cooperative State Research, Education & Extension Service (CSREES). At the regional level, the Board of Directors for WRAC maintains overall responsibility for the preparation and submission of regional project proposals and subsequent completion of approved projects and associated use of Aquaculture Research Funds. The Technical Committee and the Industry Advisory Council serve as advisory groups to the Board of Directors.

Research priorities and statements of problems defining priority areas are jointly developed by the Technical Committee and the Industry Advisory Council. The Technical Committee is responsible for the organization and development of a comprehensive research program for WRAC. A regional Work Group of scientists plans, develops, and conducts the research in conjunction with a Technical Advisor appointed by the Board. The Aquaculture Research Funds are allocated each year to participants in WRAC projects as recommended jointly by the Technical Committee and the Industry Advisory Council, and subsequently approved by the Board of Directors and USDA/CSREES. The review of project proposals submitted by ad hoc work groups, reviews of progress and recommendations for continuation, revision or termination are carried out jointly by the Technical Committee and the Industry Advisory Council.

Board of Directors
The Board is comprised of one administrative member from each of the participating universities in all 12 states under the Memorandum of Understanding and representatives from the Industry Advisory Council, Technical Committee, and Washington State University, as well as regional Directors of State Extension Services and Experiment Station Directors. There are a total of fifteen voting and three non-voting members on the Board.

Industry Advisory Council (IAC)
The Industry Advisory Council was established by the Board and is composed of representatives of state and regional aquacultural associations, federal and state agencies, aquaculture producers, aquaculture marketing and processing firms, financial institutions, and other interests or organizations as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. The Council reviews and prioritizes aquaculture research, development and demonstration project needs for the western region.

Technical Committee (TC)
The Board also established a Technical Committee, comprised of a Research Subcommittee and Extension Subcommittee, to review from a scientific and extension perspective those needs and priorities set by the Industry Advisory Council. The Committee is also responsible for specific planning, development and implementation of regional projects, including recommendations for modifications or terminations.

Key Extension Contacts
In addition, each of the twelve participating states in the western region will have up to two designated Key Extension Contacts, as selected by the head Extension administrator in the respective land grant colleges. The major goals of these contact personnel are to advertise throughout their state's communication network all material published by the five Regional Aquaculture Centers, and to serve as the key contact for pertinent information related to aquaculture issues. The appointed representatives from the Extension Subcommittee of the Technical Committee will also serve as Key Extension Contacts for their respective state. A list of current addresses and phone numbers for these extension contacts will be printed in every issue of the "Waterlines" newsletter.