The proposed research is to evaluate the feasibility of a volume transport and holding container for live fish and aquatic product. The proposed container would aerate, cool and circulate water using liquid air and no external power supply. The technology would allow a cost effective means to maintain a hibernation-like torpor in fish to overcome physiological constraints of volume live transport and holding. The technology would: allow up to several weeks transport/holding times; allow denser packing of fish with less water; minimize respiration and fish discharges; eliminate the need for feeding during transport/holding; and minimize stress to fish. Preliminary estimates of shipping costs from an inland U.S. location to an Asian port would be less than $1.00 per pound of fish including: the capital costs of the container and components: all shipping and handling of fish and water; liquid air; and return shipping (empty) of the containers. The Phase I research would focus on two major feasibility issues: 1) The engineering of the tank and components; and 2) The physiological effects on the fish of cooling, holding, and then warming. The research utilizes a team of engineers and fish biologists employed by Allied Engineering Services, Inc. and Montana State University. ANTICIPATED RESULTS & POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH Development of a cost-effective transport/short-term holding container would open opportunities in several existing and potential future markets including: 1) live food fish such as lobster, trout, salmon, talapia, etc. to domestic and international markets; 2) live bait fish to domestic and international markets; 3) fingerlings for aqua-culture and wild stocking; 4) domestic and international niche markets such as carp to Asians; and 5) wild and farmed fish from remote locations. Successful development of a live aquatic intermodal transport system will open new markets thereby increasing the utility, desirability, and monetary value of previously un(der) utilized aquatic resources.
