Christopher Hartleb

Biologist and aquaculture specialist Christopher Hartleb is leading UWSP’s aquaculture research effort here on campus and in Bayfield. UWSP’s Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (NADF) in Bayfield is a collaborative effort by the university, state, federal, and the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to help the aquaculture industry through applied research, education, outreach and extension activities. The goals are to help develop and sustain an economically viable aquaculture industry in a northern climate. Under co-director Hartleb’s leadership the NADF has collaborated with the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association on projects ranging from culture techniques for lake herring to feed trials for rainbow trout.

Hartleb, professor of biology, joined the faculty in 1996 and also is a science adviser to the Wisconsin Aquaculture Industry Advisory Council. In 2005, he was named a University Scholar recipient at UWSP. He received the department’s scholarship award in 1999, 2000 and 2007. Over the past years his fish research has included growth and genetic studies on yellow perch, brook trout, bluegill, and lake herring. He has also worked with cranberry farmers in Central Wisconsin exploring the use of floating raceways and the economic opportunities for cranberry growers to “duo culture” both fish and cranberries. His areas of expertise include aquaculture, fisheries ecology, and aquatic biology.

Hartleb holds a bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s from the University of New Hampshire and a Ph.D. from the University of Maine. He resides in Custer with his wife, Diane Caporale. Diane is also a professor of biology at UWSP.

Q What inspired you to make freshwater fish research your vocation?

A As a student at Rensselaer I had an opportunity to conduct undergraduate research with a professor examining the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil, an exotic invasive pondweed, in lakes throughout the Adirondacks and of course now found also in the Great Lakes. The experience of spending summers snorkeling, SCUBA-diving and boating these beautiful lakes as part of scientific research made me realize one can be outdoors fishing and call it work – this was a vocation for me.

Q What’s new and exciting at the Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility?

A Each year we have 3-5 applied research projects at the NADF. This year we are concluding our work developing culture techniques for lake herring; continuing a collaborative project with the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe raising extended growth walleye fingerlings; and starting new projects testing Purina fish diets on rainbow trout and walleye; along with a new project examining out-of-season production methods for walleye and hybrid walleye. We’ve also started a program where UWSP and the NADF co-sponsor student interns at commercial fish farms in WI. The students conduct research projects at the fish farms under the direction of the fish farmer and the UWSP co-directors.

Q Are UWSP students a part of your aquaculture research effort here on campus and in Bayfield?

A Each year we offer two summer internship opportunities for undergraduates at the NADF where they conduct applied research at the facility. On campus, I have annually 3-6 undergraduate and 1-2 graduate students collaborating and conducting aquaculture research projects. To date, I’ve had >50 undergraduates participate in aquaculture research on projects ranging from freshwater prawn culture to tilapia production. I also offer an aquaculture/fish culture course where students receive hands-on training in fish culture.

Q Has the economic downturn impacted the future of fish farms in Wisconsin?

A So far the economy hasn’t negatively impacted the Wisconsin aquaculture industry much. People still need to eat and, especially in Wisconsin, people still like to fish. Higher fuel and fish feed costs have impacted the industry slightly, but foreign fish imports are the greatest challenge affecting the industry as a whole. The Wisconsin aquaculture extension specialists have responded to the challenges of the current economy by offering beginning (startup) aquaculture workshops for those interested in entering the business and are exploring offering continuing education courses and workshops/programs for displaced workers. With most wild stocks of fish overexploited or fished at their maximum yield, the only way to meet the growing need for seafood is from aquaculture.

Q What is family life like married to a fellow faculty member in the same department?

A It makes it easy to carpool with another UWSP employee and we’ve been able to collaborate on a number of projects both in fisheries and molecular biology. We have two young daughters and it has been easier, with our schedules and working together, to juggle both our family and professional lives.