Applied Advanced Technologies in Marine Fish Aquaculture

Daniel Benetti is a Professor and Director of Aquaculture at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science. He has more than 40 years of experience in aquaculture worldwide. Besides his academic and research responsibilities, he carries out scientific and research and development projects on technology development and environmental issues related to aquaculture. He specializes in advanced hatchery, land-based (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems and flow-through) and open ocean growout technologies of marine fish, including cobia, Seriola, mahi, tuna, snapper, grouper, red drum, pompano and flounder – among others. He has published more than 200 articles covering aquaculture science, technology, and production, and is internationally recognized for his contributions to modern aquaculture. He has extensive experience with the industry and has been a consultant for the government and private sectors in Latin America, the United States, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. He collaborates with researchers and institutions the world over and consulted for some of the largest producing companies in the world, including Kilic of Turkey, Higashimaru of Japan, Gruppo del Pesce of Italy, Open Blue Sea Farms of Panama, Aquafoods/Martec of Costa Rica, and Earth Ocean Farms of Mexico, among others. Some of the countries he has consulted or is currently consulting for are: the United States, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, the Bahamas, Australia, Turkey, Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Thailand, Japan, and China.

Dr. Benetti has been a member of the Science Advisory Boards at a number of committees such as Food and Agriculture Organization, World Wildlife Fund, Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, and the Pew Oceans Commission, among others. He currently chairs the prestigious Global Seafood Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices International Hatchery and Nursery Committee. He specializes in R&D, technology transfer, and has experience in obtaining funding, planning, designing, implementing, and running marine fish hatcheries and growout aquaculture operations, including training of scientific, technical, and managerial staff.

His work is centered on innovative approaches to ensure that seafood production through mariculture is science-based, wholesome, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable. He and his team of professionals have designed, implemented, and operated several commercial marine fish hatcheries for a variety of species in several countries. His successful track record is widely recognized among leading professionals the world over.