center for tropical and subtropical aquaculture

Name

center for tropical and subtropical aquaculture

Legal name

Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture

Website

https://ctsa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquaculture Research and Extension Services

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquaculture Farm Services & Operations Support (net cleaning, diving, grading, harvesting) (AFAEAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquaculture & Fish Health Services (AFAEANAE), Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services (AFAEAAAK), Aquaponics (Integrated Fish & Plant Production) (AFAEAAAI), Aquaculture & Fisheries Operations (EDAOAOAK)

Keywords

• Aquaculture research services
• Extension services aquaculture
• Pacific Islands aquaculture
• Regional aquaculture center
• Aquatic species development

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CTSA coordinates and funds applied aquaculture research, delivers extension and technical assistance to farmers, and runs education/workforce programs to support commercial aquaculture development across the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (Hawaii, American Samoa, CNMI, FSM, Guam, Palau, Marshall Islands). The center does not sell commercial products; instead it operates as a federally funded hub that integrates institutional expertise, transfers technology through publications and workshops, and addresses species cultivation, feed development, disease management, hatchery technology, genetics, and aquaponics.

Product overview

The Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture (CTSA) is a regional aquaculture research and extension center that does not sell commercial products but instead provides research services, education programs, extension support, and publications to advance commercial aquaculture development in the Pacific Islands. Its offerings include the A.Q.U.A. Education Program for workforce training, Farmer Outreach for direct industry support, Aquaculture Service for the Pacific Region for ongoing extension activities, and various Publications including research reports and regional notes. The organization coordinates funded research projects across species development, disease management, feed development, hatchery technology, genetics, and aquaponics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aquaculture Service for the Pacific Region Ongoing extension and information service providing technical support, capacity building, and information dissemination to aquaculture stakeholders across the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands. Audience includes farmers, researchers, and government agencies.
• A.Q.U.A. Education Program Aquaculture education and workforce training program focused on outreach for students and industry participants in the Pacific Islands region.
• Farmer Outreach Direct outreach, technical assistance, and resource support service for aquaculture farmers in Hawaii and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands.
• Publications and Regional Notes Information dissemination service providing journal articles, information fact sheets, workshop publications, and Regional Notes newsletter on aquaculture research and development for researchers, farmers, and industry stakeholders.
• Project Results and Research Funded applied research projects addressing species development, disease management, feed development, hatchery technology, genetics, aquaponics, and sustainable aquaculture practices for the Pacific region. Delivered through partner institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hawaii aquaculture industry reached $83.2 million in sales in 2019, up 9% from 2017
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• University of Hawaii (System)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary administrative institution for CTSA since 2018. Includes University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and UH Sea Grant College Program. Conducts research across multiple disciplines including molecular biosciences, aquaculture, and extension services.
• Oceanic Institute of Hawaii Pacific University (OI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey research partner with specialized expertise in marine finfish aquaculture, shrimp, feed development, hatchery technology, and copepod production. Previously co-administered CTSA with University of Hawaii until 2018.
• USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)coreOthersFederal funding agency that establishes and supports the five Regional Aquaculture Centers across the United States. Provides the authorizing legislation and annual appropriations for CTSA operations.
• College of MicronesiaregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSM-based institution conducting aquaculture extension and development support in Pohnpei and Yap. Implements technology transfer and capacity building projects in the Federated States of Micronesia.
• Northern Marianas College (NMC)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNMI-based institution providing aquaculture extension and research services. Conducts marine finfish aquaculture development and rabbitfish seed production projects for the Northern Mariana Islands.
• Palau Community College (PCC)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalau-based institution conducting mangrove crab, rabbitfish, milkfish, and coral grouper aquaculture development. Implements hatchery technology transfer and training programs for Palau and the region.
• University of GuamregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuam-based land-grant institution conducting aquaculture research and development including shrimp maturation feeds, economic analyses, and regional extension support for the Western Pacific.
• Rongelap Atoll Local GovernmentregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepublic of Marshall Islands local government conducting marine finfish (moi) aquaculture and local feed development projects for food security and economic development.
• Hawaii Institute of Marine BiologyregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute conducting genetic research, larval diet studies, and marine species investigations supporting aquaculture development in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
• Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)coreOthersState government agency providing regulatory oversight, biosecurity services, and economic development support for Hawaii aquaculture industry. Co-funds disease diagnostic laboratories and aquaculture development initiatives.
• NOAA National Marine Fisheries ServiceregionalOthersFederal agency providing aquaculture coordination and marine resources expertise. Board of Directors member contributing to regional aquaculture development strategy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• North Central Regional Aquaculture Center: One of the four other USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers; structurally identical to CTSA in mission, funding model, and statutory role, but serving the north-central U.S. region. Directly comparable as a sister RAC operating under the same NIFA framework.
• Southern Regional Aquaculture Center: Another USDA Regional Aquaculture Center with the same federal mandate and funding structure, serving the southern U.S. Share the same role of coordinating regional applied aquaculture research and extension through a consortium of land-grant universities.
• Western Regional Aquaculture Center: USDA Regional Aquaculture Center serving the western U.S. Closest geographic peer to CTSA outside the Pacific Islands; shares the NIFA RAC framework and operates through a multi-institution consortium model.
• Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center: Fifth USDA Regional Aquaculture Center, serving the northeastern U.S. Functionally identical to CTSA in structure, funding, and coordination role across regional aquaculture priorities.

Broad incumbents

• Oceanic Institute of Hawaii Pacific University: Applied marine aquaculture research organization based in Hawaii, formerly a co-administrator of CTSA. Overlaps with CTSA in species focus (marine finfish, shrimp, feed development) and serves the same regional industry but operates as an independent commercial-adjacent research entity.
• NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service: Federal agency providing aquaculture coordination, marine policy, and stock enhancement for U.S. waters. Sits on CTSA's Board of Directors and shares overlapping interest in Pacific Islands aquaculture development but operates as a much broader regulator and research funder.

Emerging players

• University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program: NOAA-funded university program providing coastal and aquaculture extension services in Hawaii. Adjacent mandate with overlapping partner institutions but smaller scope and a broader focus on coastal resources beyond aquaculture.
• Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology: University of Hawaii marine research institute conducting genetic, larval diet, and species studies relevant to aquaculture. CTSA partner that conducts more fundamental research with comparable species and methods.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about center for tropical and subtropical aquaculture