To meet the needs for continued growth and sustainability of the aquaculture industry and to increase its profitability, biological control strategies are being developed that will prevent large economic losses in the aquaculture industry caused by diseases and parasites. The specific research objectives of the unit’s prevention program are development of vaccines, rapid detection tests and fish diets that will enhance disease resistance to infectious bacteria and parasites. The Unit’s research also determines pathogen and host factors that influence virulence and immune response.

The USDA contracted with CCSI to replace an older proprietary BAS system serving the research facility in Auburn, AL with the open platform Siemens Desigo Optic software and controllers for enhanced monitoring and operational needs for this expanding campus.