Q. Do you think the recent problems with aquaculture products from China will help boost the industry here?

A. Our hope is that the U.S. will develop its own shrimp industry. There's a company called Blue Ridge in West Virginia that's very interested in putting in intensive raceway systems that would take advantage of some of the technologies that we've developed. With the technology that we've developed here where we can produce 10 times as many shrimp as you could before in the same volume of water the economics are starting to look very promising. There's a company on Kaua'i, Sunrise, that's interested in using the technology that we're developing and hopefully we'll have some fresh shrimp in the state from local production in the not-too-distant future. So there are lots of bright spots in the shrimp industry. It's all a question of keeping our costs down and, of course, effectively competing with lower-priced imports.

Q. What are some examples of how OI supports the private sector?

A. We have a working contract with Grove Farm and Cates International, who are learning how to raise fish for the offshore cages. Their hatchery manager and assistant are working shoulder-to-shoulder with our staff to refine technologies here so when they develop their hatchery they can hit the ground running and won't have a long learning curve in how to raise these fish. That's technology transfer in its purest form. These companies have challenges that come up as they develop and one of the things that is very clear is they're going to need continued research support into the foreseeable future. New issues come up and we need to address those concerns if we're going to see these industries develop.

Q. Any plans to expand the shrimp program into the private sector?

A. We're now looking at not only providing broodstock, that is small shrimp with these desirable characteristics, and having others sell those, but we're also helping companies build up their own breeding programs. It's a tough business. There is a lot of competition around the world. Clearly the rest of the world is leaving the United States behind in the area of shrimp production, but we still are the source for the best broodstock shrimp in the world today.

Q. What is Oceanic Institute's annual budget?

A. We have a budget of about $7 million or $8 million. Sea Life Park is a tenant on the property and we do receive some revenue from them in the form of lease rent. Hawai'i Pacific University supports a number of the activities out here. Most of the funding we have are from competitive and non-competitive grants, primarily from federal agencies.

Q. Who's responsible for raising the funds?

A. It's a shared responsibility. I look to the program directors to put together the grant applications and get them in. I'll often steer them in directions which I think will be productive. But much of the work here is done as opportunities present themselves. Part of my job is to try to create those opportunities and to secure funding that we may be able to apply for in the future. There's a variety of things that I do as president. Maintaining our relationships and keeping people informed of our activities is a big part of the job. People want to know what you're doing and that translates into funding support.

Q. You've had a career in public service; what led you to the private sector and Oceanic Institute?

A. I thought it was a nice change and actually an opportunity to pursue my passions, which are ocean-related activities. Growing shrimp and fish is something I've always wanted to do in my life, and it was an opportunity to apply some of my skills and personal interests to an activity that I've always wanted to do.

Q. Was it a difficult transition?

A. The transition from working in public office for 20 years to the private sector has been smooth for me — thanks to administrative and other supports provided by Hawai'i Pacific University — but challenging. The skills and knowledge I gained from working so many years with state legislators, our congressional delegation and federal agencies have helped in improving OI's relationship with government officials, but that doesn't always translate into more funding. I am finding that working in the private, not-for-profit sector with a focus on having revenues at least equal to expenses is not easy, particularly as there are so many competing priorities these days for federal funds.

Q. What is your relationship with HPU?

A. OI is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1960. With 80 employees, we are one of the oldest and largest research organizations in the country. In 2003, we became affiliated with Hawai'i Pacific University. HPU classes in marine science are being held at OI and a number of HPU student interns are getting hands-on experience working with OI research staff. HPU faculty are already working closely with OI scientists on complementary research projects. This collaboration has allowed OI and HPU to get into new and exciting areas, such as marine pharmaceutical research, and expand our fisheries and environmental science research interests. This fall, HPU will be starting-up a new graduate program in marine science, which will be based largely at OI. The affiliation between OI and HPU has been a win-win for both organizations.

Q. Is it difficult to attract people to work at Oceanic Institute?

A. We never have trouble filling jobs here. I wish that we could pay more because we do have a highly skilled workforce and a very dedicated staff. We're finding our HPU affiliation to be great. That's opened up lots of opportunities.

Q. What are your goals as head of Oceanic Institute?

A. My goal is to try to make this organization and support HPU to the best of my ability. I have no aspirations beyond that. It's a wonderful job to have . I would love to be here for the rest of my working career.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.