Tammy Blair
Current research and/or projects
Tammy Blair has studied the nutrition of various species of fish and shellfish for more than a decade. Nutrition is an integral component of aquaculture. Biologically, proper nutrition has a direct role in improving fish health, disease resistance, physiological development and reproductive success. Ecologically, improved feed formulations and production techniques have the potential to reduce environmental impacts in aquaculture areas and conserve wild fish stocks. Nutrition is also linked to the economics of aquaculture since feeds are one of the greatest single costs of production in aquaculture.
Ms. Blair strives to enhance aquaculture development and reduce environmental impacts by studying the protein, lipid and fatty acid requirements of species such as haddock, halibut, cod and sea urchins; optimizing nutrient enrichment of live feed organisms; developing microdiet technology for marine fish larvae; evaluating alternative dietary protein and lipid ingredients; and studying the flow of nutrients through an aquaculture system. Tammy collaborates with researchers at other institutions and with industry partners. Her recent research focuses on the nutritional enhancement of organisms (mussels, algae, etc) cultured in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture system, and the use of fatty acids as biomarkers to trace the incorporation of excess nutrients from salmon culture into mussels.
Research and/or project statements
Tammy Blair has studied the nutrition of various species of fish and shellfish for more than a decade. Nutrition is an integral component of aquaculture. Biologically, proper nutrition has a direct role in improving fish health, disease resistance, physiological development and reproductive success. Ecologically, improved feed formulations and production techniques have the potential to reduce environmental impacts in aquaculture areas and conserve wild fish stocks. Nutrition is also linked to the economics of aquaculture since feeds are one of the greatest single costs of production in aquaculture. Ms. Blair strives to enhance aquaculture development and reduce environmental impacts by studying the protein, lipid and fatty acid requirements of species such as haddock, halibut, cod and sea urchins; optimizing nutrient enrichment of live feed organisms; developing microdiet technology for marine fish larvae; evaluating alternative dietary protein and lipid ingredients; and studying the flow of nutrients through an aquaculture system.
Tammy collaborates with researchers at other institutions and with industry partners. Her recent research focuses on the nutritional enhancement of organisms (mussels, algae, etc) cultured in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture system, and the use of fatty acids as biomarkers to trace the incorporation of excess nutrients from salmon culture into mussels.
Education and awards
M.Sc. Biology, Dalhousie University, 2005
B.Sc. (Agriculture) Honours, Environmental Biology , Nova Scotia Agricultural College, 1995
Additional links
Tel: 506-529-5910
Fax: 506-529-5862
Key publications
BLAIR, T., F. POWELL, P. BROOKING and J. CASTELL. « Evaluation of commercial enrichment media for enhancing the nutritional value of Artemia for larval halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) culture », Bulletin de l’Association aquacole du Canada, vol. 98-4, 1998, p. 21-24.
BLAIR, T., J. BATT, R. MELANSON, S. KIRK et J. CASTELL. « Evaluation of several commercial enrichment media for enhancing nutritional value of rotifers for winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) », Bulletin de l’Association aquacole du Canada, vol. 98-4, 1998, p. 35-37.
BLAIR, T. J., J. D. CASTELL, S. MERCER et F. POWELL. « The effect of different dietary protein and lipid levels on juvenile halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) », Bulletin de l’Association aquacole du Canada, vol. 99-4, 1999, p. 16-18.
TRIPPEL, E. A., J. D. CASTELL, S. R. NEIL, et T. J. BLAIR. « Assessment of egg quality of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in paired matings », 2000. Dans : NORBERG, B., O. S. KJESBU, G.L. TARANGER, E. ANDERSSON et S. O. STEFANSSON, (éd.), 6th Int. Symp. on the Reproductive Physiology of Fish, Bergen (Norvège), du 4 au 9 juillet 1999, p. 405-407.
CASTELL, J., T. BLAIR, S. NEIL, K. HOWES, S. MERCER, J. REID, W. YOUNG-LAI, B. GULLISON, P. DHERT, et P. SORELOOS. « The effect of different HUFA enrichment emulsions on the nutritional value of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) fed to larval haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) », Aquaculture International, vol. 11, 2003, p. 109-117.
BLAIR, T., J. CASTELL, S. NEIL, L. D’ABRAMO, C. CAHU, P. HARMON et K. OGUNMOYE. « Evaluation of microdiets versus live feeds on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of larval haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) », Aquaculture, vol. 225, 2003, p. 451-461.
BLAIR, T. « Microdiet technology: potential for use in haddock culture », 2003. Dans : Aiken, D. E. (éd.). Early rearing of haddock: state of the art. Association aquacole du Canada, publications spéciales, n° 7, 136 p.
CASTELL, J. D., E. J. KENNEDY, S. M. C. ROBINSON, G. J. PARSONS, T. J. BLAIR, et E. GONZALEZ-DURAN. « Effect of dietary lipids on fatty acid composition and metabolism in juvenile green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) », Aquaculture, vol. 242, 2004, p. 417-435.
BLAIR, T. J. Dietary Studies with Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Larvae, Thèse (M. Sc.), Université Dalhousie, 2005, 142 p.
Contact
Expertise
Affiliations
- Nutrition technician (1995 - 1998, DFO)