Laboratories
New Castle Marine Research Facility
COASTAL MARINE LABORATORY (CML)
The Coastal Marine Laboratory (CML) was established in 1989 to provide UNH faculty and students with access to the open waters of the Gulf of Maine and laboratory facilities with full strength seawater capabilities. Located at historic Fort Constitution in New Castle, N.H., at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor, the CML supports faculty and student research on topics including the aquaculture of codfish, halibut, haddock and winter flounder; the physiological ecology and population biology of lobsters; the feeding behavior, growth, and roe quality of green sea urchins; and sea star reproductive biology; as well as a number of other studies on anemones, dog whelks, nudibranchs, and other invertebrates. Results of these research projects help New England's resource managers make sound decisions.
The CML is currently undergoing major renovations and modest expansion to provide a modern and flexible wet lab and new dedicated dry lab and research support space. The new laboratory will include both flow-through and recirculating seawater in experimental enclosures ranging from 20 to 2000 gallons per tank. The project is expected to be complete by late fall, 2009.
MARINE RESEARCH PIER
In early 2009, UNH opened a new 325’ research pier in New Castle. This pier provides essential berth space for the UNH fleet including the R/V Gulf Challenger, R/V Meriel B., R/V Coastal Surveyor, R/V Cocheco and a number of smaller research vessels on a floating dock system. This dock also provides access to experimental enclosures located under the fixed pier which, when combined with the CML, are critical for the university’s $35 million-per-year marine research activity.
In addition to providing berthing for visiting research vessels, the fixed pier will provide berthing for the new NOAA SWATH (small waterplane area, twin hull) research vessel, R/V Ferdinand R. Hassler, which will be homeported at the UNH pier. Still under construction, R/V Ferdinand R. Hassler is expected to be delivered in the summer of 2010 after sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico and outfitting with its compliment of research equipment in Norfolk, Virginia.
PIER SUPPORT FACILITY
In early summer 2009, a new Pier Support Facility was opened to provide offices, specialized fabrication and repairs areas, storage space and equipment for pier and lab activities. UNH staff, boat captains and crew, and NOAA personnel will be based at this facility. In addition to the office, workshop and storage space, this facility provides dedicated space for the UNH Diving program, including an air compressor room, SCUBA fill station, lockers and showers for the UNH research and student divers.
The construction and renovation of the UNH Marine Facility at New Castle was made possible through the support of Senator Judd Gregg and a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).