Administration

Director of the Aquatic Animal Health and Research Center

Wade Cavender is the program director for Utah's Aquatic Animal Health and Research Center (formerly Fisheries Experiment Station) and Assistant Aquatic Section Chief responsible for research, fish health and administrative services. Much of this work includes:

• providing practical applied research services focused on native species recovery, sportfish management, fish culture methods and aquatic animal health,
• providing a comprehensive program of fish health inspection and certification services for state fish hatcheries and free ranging fish populations and
• working as a liaison between agency partners to assist in the development of policies and procedures related to coordinated research and aquatic animal health efforts throughout the Western United States.

Wade previously worked as Utah's Fish Health Specialist and laboratory manager for over 10 years and in that time has gained extensive experience managing bacteriology, virology, parasitology and molecular testing programs. As a certified Aquatic Animal Health Inspector and Fish Pathologist, he understands the importance and legal requirements associated with fish health inspections, pathogen surveillance and diagnostic responsibilities as they pertain to free ranging fish populations and fish culture programs.

Wade is a native of Ohio, where he earned his associate's degree in fish and wildlife management at Hocking College and his Bachelor of Science degree in aquaculture at the University of Idaho. His master's degree is also from the University of Idaho, where he conducted research on the development of quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods to detect the parasite that causes whirling disease. He also studied the parasites distribution within the Snake, Salmon and Clearwater Rivers of Idaho.

Contact Wade by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Phone: 435-720-2784

Office Manager

This position is staffed by Cathryn Smith. In addition to acting as office manager, Cathryn also serves as receptionist, financial specialist and librarian. Cathryn grew up in Cache Valley and has a wide variety of work skills and experiences, including being the former director of the Lee Kay Center.

Contact Cathryn by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Phone: 435-752-1066 ext. 200

The Aquatic Animal Health and Research Center

Formerly the Fisheries Experiment Station

Read this fact sheet for more information about AAHRC's research objectives and to learn how the DWR is protecting aquatic animal health.

The Aquatic Animal Health and Research Center, formerly known as the Fisheries Experiment Station, was created in the early 1960s to provide technological development and extension support for Utah's fish culture program.

The mission of the Logan, Utah, facility has expanded over the years and now includes fish health management, fish disease control, fisheries research, training, specialized fish culture and administrative involvement with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources aquatics staff.

History of the Aquatic Animal Health and Research Center

Fish disease was a significant challenge in Utah aquaculture during the first half of the 20th century. The lack of regulations for transporting diseased fish stocks, combined with faster shipping methods, caused widespread dissemination of diseases through live fish and eggs. Localized issues quickly escalated into interstate and international problems. Additionally, artificial diets were inadequate, and fish culture methods were poorly defined. Few government programs existed to tackle these issues, and there were no commercial laboratories or pathologists actively researching fish disease control or developing improved diets and culture methods.

Recognizing the need for quality assurance and fish disease control, the Utah Department of Fish and Game established the Experimental Hatchery in Cache Valley in 1961. Over the years, this facility grew substantially, eventually being renamed the Fisheries Experiment Station and later the Aquatic Animal Health and Research Center.

Since its inception, AAHRC has had an active research and development role and has been involved in fish disease control, aquaculture, fish quality assurance, fish health management and fisheries management. The center's staff have conducted intensive fish diet testing, developed fish health-approved brood stocks, and created the Fish Health/Condition Profile — an innovative tool that is now widely used in fishery management across Utah and has been adopted by 32 other states and various federal agencies. Our program is well known and has strong connections to the international fish health community.

In 1986, AAHRC was divided into three specialized sections: Research, Fish Health and Fish Culture. All three continue to operate under the leadership of the center's fish pathologist and director.