July 28, 2003

GOVERNOR EHRLICH AND VIPs MEET THE “Baby Blues” AT COMB

BALTIMORE—On Monday, July 21st, Governor Robert Ehrlich and 40 other VIPs had a hands-on tour of the blue crab research program undertaken by scientists at the Center of Marine Biotechnology. VIPs included Senator J. Lowell Stoltzfus, Department Secretaries Aris Melissaratos (Business and Economic Development), Ron Franks (Natural Resources), James Fielder (Labor, Licensing & Regulation) and James "Chip" DiPaula (Management and Budget). Regents Bill Wood, Pat Florestano, Marvin Mandel, and Robert Pevenstein along with Chancellor Kirwan also toured the blue crab hatchery and rearing facilities in COMB's Aquaculture Research Center. Our research partners from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the Watermen's Association and the Phillips Seafood Company were also on hand to answer questions and talk about the next steps in building blue crab hatcheries.

Governor Ehrlich at UMBI, July 21, 2003

Governor Robert Ehrlich (left) is welcomed by (left to right) UMBI President Jennie Hunter-Cevera, COMB Director Yonathan Zohar and USM Chancellor William Kirwan.

COMB’s Director Dr. Yonathan Zohar began the tour with an overview of the research and results to date. The visitors were then divided into three groups and led downstairs to multiple stations: blue crab broodstock, early life stages, larval and juvenile rearing, tagging and release methodologies, and recirculating aquaculture technology. Even though it was crowded at times, the visitors were intrigued and fascinated with all the various crab rearing operations, which included multiple biological strategies, small to large tank systems, and complex feeding regimes. Everyone was highly impressed with the significant progress made in such a short time.

Crab hatchery manager Odi Zmora (front row right) displays a captive-born adult crab to (left to right) UMBI President Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Governor Robert Ehrlich, Business Secretary Aris Melissaratos (back row), USM Regent William Wood and Labor Secretary James Fielder.

Yonathan Zohar (right) shows a beaker of newly hatched blue crab larvae to Governor Ehrlich.

Governor Ehrlich watches SERC intern Freya Hendrickson tag a juvenile crab as SERC researcher Alicia Young-Williams explains the procedure. SERC Assistant Director Anson "Tuck" Hines (left), Maryland Watermen's Association President Larry Simns (behind governor) and Senator J. Lowell Stoltzfus look on.

Statements such as “this is incredible”, “awesome”, “amazing”, and “I didn't know this about the blue crab” were heard over and over again. The Governor and the VIPs were impressed with the new knowledge about the blue crab obtained via our focus on the biology, reproductive cycle and larval physiology. He was most supportive of the progress made to date and is excited about the future research directions, including our proposed efforts to increase the survival rate of released crabs. "Partnerships that include research scientists and stakeholders are key to enhancing the Chesapeake Bay”, stated UMBI President Dr. Jennie Hunter-Cevera.

President Jennie Hunter-Cevera (on right with back to camera) and John Stubblefield (left) explain COMB's recirculating marine aquaculture technology to (left to right) Governor Ehrlich, Senator Stoltzfus, Business Secretary Melissaratos (partially hidden), and Regent Pat Florestano.

Yonathan Zohar (left) discusses COMB's blue crab research with (left to right) Aden King of Phillips Seafood and MWA President Larry Simns.

All in all, this tour demonstrated the unique capabilities of COMB scientists and their passion in enhancing the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay while increasing the knowledge base of the biology of the blue crab. The Governor and VIPs ended the tour with a clear understanding of the power of biotechnology interfaced with indigenous knowledge.

For more details about COMB's blue crab research program see the following links:

http://www.umbi.umd.edu/~comb/programs/aquaculture/bluecrab.html
http://www.umbi.umd.edu/~comb/programs/aquaculture/bcarc.html