Dustin Moss PH.D.
Director - Shrimp Department, Oceanic Institute
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii
- M.S., Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University
- B.S., Marine Biology, Hawaii Pacific University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
Dr. Dustin Moss been a researcher at Oceanic Institute (OI) for 20+ years and was promoted to his current position as Director of the Shrimp Department in 2013. His primary areas of research are genetic improvement of marine shrimp and developing sustainable shrimp farming technologies. Genetic improvement efforts focus on improving commercially important traits such as growth, reproductive output, and disease resistance. This is done by gaining an understanding of the underlying genetics for each trait (using quantitative and/or molecular methods) and then designing efficient selective breeding strategies that rapidly improve shrimp performance. Efforts to improve the sustainability of shrimp farming have focused on the use of recirculating aquaculture systems to simultaneously reduce water usage, improve system stability, and increase biosecurity. From 2009-2012, Dr. Moss served as a Technical Committee Member of the USDA-funded U.S. Marine Shrimp Farming Program. In addition, he has worked on and managed several international aquaculture projects in China, India, Singapore, and Thailand. Dr Moss has authored/co-authored over 30 papers in peer-reviewed journals and industry-focused publications and has also given numerous presentations at scientific and industry meetings.
SELECTED GRANTS
Year |
Funding Agency |
Project |
Award |
2021-2022 |
Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, USDA |
Design of a harvesting system for the marine polychaete, Marphysa sanguinea |
$11,618 |
2020-2022 |
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA |
Investigating low salinity performance of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, using a genomic approach to benefit an emerging US inland shrimp farming industry |
$310,000 |
2020-2021 |
Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, USDA |
Improving live feeds production efficiency: a bottom-up approach to increase marine finfish aquaculture yields |
$46,090 |
2019-2021 |
Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, USDA |
Culture of a local marine polychaete, Marphysa sanguinea, for use as a shrimp maturation feed |
$58,300 |
2018-2020 |
Economic Development Agency, Dept of Commerce |
Aquaculture and Biotechnology Training Program |
$207,824 |
2017-2019 |
Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, USDA |
Disease prevalence survey of wild mud crab populations in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands |
$24,215 |
2016 |
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Dept of Commerce |
Workshops: Molecular genetics tools in fisheries, aquaculture, and conservation |
$14,907 |
2015 |
Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, USDA |
Establishment of disease-free, genetically improved population of Tilapia for aquaculture in Hawaii and the US-affiliated Pacific Islands |
$14,600 |
2007 |
Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, USDA |
Shrimp production demonstration project and aquaculture training for industry stakeholders of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam |
$69,100 |
SELECTED INDUSTRY PROJECTS (in chronological order)
Project |
Country |
Establish a large-scale selective breeding program for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, designed to produce a proprietary genetic line. |
USA |
Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology demonstration, design/startup of commercial-scale RAS shrimp farm, and technical consultation |
China |
Facility design, technical consultation, and germplasm supply |
Singapore |
Establishment of a biosecure broodstock production center, selective breeding program for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and technical consultancy |
India |
Design and scientific oversight of large-scale breeding program for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, design/startup of in-country genetic nucleus facilities, and technical consultancy |
Thailand |
Technical and biosecurity audit of breeding program for tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon |
India |
Design and scientific oversight of large-scale breeding program for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, design/startup of in-country genetic nucleus facilities, and technical consultancy |
China |
Technical audit of shrimp hatchery facilities |
Myanmar |
Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology demonstration, design/startup of commercial-scale RAS shrimp farm, and technical consultation |
China |
Design and scientific oversight of breeding program for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei |
Thailand |
Technical audit of aquaculture facilities |
Indonesia |