Tyler Contento

Objective

Gain hands on experience in larval culture, growout methods, and maintenance of aquaculture systems with the overall goal of eventually pursuing further education focusing on formulating more sustainable fish feeds.

Education

B.S in Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology from The University of Rhode Island - Expected graduation May 2017

Experience

Student researcher at The University of Rhode Island working for Greenfins LLC. Through this project I have gained experience in maintaining a 120,000 gallon recirculating system with knowledge of daily maintenance protocols including working with pumps and developing an understanding of biological and chemical filtration. I also have extensive experience in collecting and transporting broodstock yellowfin tuna over 600 miles by land via a mobile transport truck consisting of filtration, aeration, degassing system and temperature control which I helped to design and build. In addition to this, I also have experience tending to broodstock fish on a daily basis including feedings, water quality measurements, and general troubleshooting. I also have gained international education and hands on experience at James Cook University, Australia. During my semester here, I worked with graduate students to design, build and maintain a medium-sized aquaponics system which grew Barramundi along with several species of vegetables. In addition to maintenance of this system which include weekly grading of juvenile fish, water quality measurements and feeding calculations, I also worked with a group of graduate students to design, plumb and maintain a small-scale hatchery consisting of several types of tanks. Through this operation, I gained experience in the culture of artemia, several species of rotifers, larval clownfish, larval barramundi and larval peppermint shrimp. Throughout my coursework i gained an in-depth understanding of the work that goes into a commercial hatchery and growout facility from data collection to water quality management and developing feeding protocols.