Director of Sustainable Seafood and Senior Research Scientist at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

Mark Drawbridge is a senior research scientist at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) in San Diego, where he also serves as the director of the Institute’s Sustainable Seafood Program. Drawbridge and his team are developing techniques for growing marine fish, invertebrates and seaweeds for food and conservation. Under Drawbridge’s direction, the HSWRI Sustainable Seafood Program supports more than 20 full-time staff, two research hatcheries in San Diego and acclimation cage facilities throughout southern California. Drawbridge is currently a board member and past president of the California Aquaculture Association, a member of the Western Regional Aquaculture Center’s technical research committee, and a member of California’s Aquaculture Development Committee. His areas of expertise include marine aquaculture and fisheries.

Drawbridge’s team research spans a wide range of disciplines required for successful propagation of marine fishes, invertebrates and seaweeds including but not limited to reproduction, nutrition, physiology, health, systems design and engineering and genetics. Research is currently focused on halibut, seabass and yellowtail among fishes; sea cucumbers, sea urchins and scallops among invertebrates; and several species of marine seaweeds. In addition to monoculture systems, the HSWRI team is studying integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) to maximize efficiencies and sustainability. The intent of the ocean farming research is to provide locally produced food for human consumption or for outplanting to support conservation. Drawbridge is an author or co-author on over 70 peer-reviewed publications encompassing this range of topics. He has served as an advisor or committee member for 16 graduate students.