Dr. Moti Harel

Director of Human & Industrial Applications R & D

Dr. Harel, who oversees research and development in aquaculture nutrition, has been actively involved in marine aquaculture R&D for more than 15 years. Prior to joining ABN, Dr. Harel worked at the Center of Marine Biotechnology (COMB) at the University of Maryland, where he led an international research group comprised of university and finfish experts in developing the first AquaGrow products, in addition to new larval feeds. While at COMB, Dr. Harel for the first time ever successfully closed the life cycle of blue crabs in recirculating hatchery systems that he developed. He also led a project which produced about one million striped bass juveniles outside the natural spawning season. From 1984 to 1995, he managed the general operation of the larval rearing department at the National Center for Mariculture, one of the largest R&D centers in the Mediterranean. While there, Dr. Harel developed for the first time a complete diet for valuable marine fish broodstock, including sea bream. Dr. Harel has published his work in such peer review journals as British Journal of Nutrition, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Aquaculture, Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, and Lipids. He has presented his work in many international professional conferences, and has been invited to present his work as a key speaker at numerous international conferences and workshops. Dr. Harel received his Ph.D. in biochemistry and food technology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1995.