Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)

Through large-scale outdoor production in tanks, Acadian Seaplants Limited (ASL) is the worlds largestx000D
independent manufacturer of the seaweed Chondrus crispus, a prized food product that sells for $50-100/kg inx000D
international markets. International markets, mainly buyers in Japan, demand exceptionally high quality, andx000D
have low tolerance for insects and insect fragments, essentially requiring 100% pure seaweed ingredients. ASLx000D
currently experiences low-level contamination from insects of its outdoor tanks that hold and grow C. crispus.x000D
Numerous post-harvest quality control measures are used to address this problem, but low levels of insects andx000D
insect parts continue to persist in the salable C. crispus product. ASL therefore needs to reduce the quantity ofx000D
insects entering outdoor production tanks prior to harvest, but does not have adequate understanding of thex000D
problem to enact interventions. The proposed research will investigate pre-harvest factors influencing insectx000D
presence in a high-value marine plant product. The research will address four questions identified by ASL: (1)x000D
What insect groups pose the largest threat to product quality?; (2) What spatial or management factors mostx000D
strongly explain insect incidence?; (3) What temporal variation is associated with insect incidence in harvestedx000D
product?; and (4) Can modified tank design or fencing offer scope in reducing insect contamination?x000D
Through a comprehensive season-long survey (1-3), and an ecological study of insect flight habits (4), we hopex000D
to, respectively, quantify the factors which explain the presence of insects in harvested product, and proposex000D
potential solutions to limit it. ASL believes this proposed research will provide insight and direction forx000D
optimizing product quality, via informing pre-harvest management practices.