THE MISSION OF THE WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER (WRAC), ONE FIVE REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTERS ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS IN 1985 IS TO SUPPORT AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, AND DEMONSTRATION TO ENHANCE VIABLE AND PROFITABLE U.S. AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION TO BENEFIT CONSUMERS, PRODUCERS, SERVICE INDUSTRIES, AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. THE WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER, HOSTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE, SERVES AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER THAT SOLICITS INPUT FROM INDUSTRY AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THAT BECOMES THE BASIS OF PROBLEM STATEMENTS THAT ADDRESS PROBLEMS ORBARRIERS TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY. THESE PROBLEM STATEMENTS ARE PUBLISHED BI-ANNUALLY IN A COMPETITIVE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PEER REVIEW. FUNDED PROJECTS ARE CARRIED OUT BY MULTI-STATE AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS TO PRODUCE HIGH QUALITY SCIENCE THAT CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO INDUSTRY AND/OR OTHER END USERS IN A TIMELY FASHION.