THE USDA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (NIFA) SOUTHERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER (SRAC) IS ONE OF FIVE REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTERS ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS IN 1985. THE MISSION OF THE SRAC 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. IT ACCOMPLISHES THIS MISSION BY DEVELOPING AND FUNDING COMPETITIVE PROJECT PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS PRIORITY NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY THE REGION'S AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY. EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND ANTICIPATED BENEFITS FOR EACH OF THE CENTER-FUNDED PROJECTS IS PRESENTED IN THE ANNUAL REPORTS AND THOSE REPORTS AS WELL AS THE PROJECT PROPOSALS ARE POSTED ON THE CENTER'S WEB SITE AT WWW.SRAC.MSSTATE.EDU.