Travis Knorr

Graduate Student

Degree Sought:  M.S.
Major Professor: Dr. Matt DiMaggio

Travis Knorr, an avid SCUBA diver since the age of 12, moved to the Florida Keys in 2007 to become an aquarium fish collector. After working underwater for 5 years, he decided he needed to do something beneficial for the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem. That's when he began his education in marine aquaculture while working as the Science Lab Technician at the College of the Florida Keys where he also co-founded the College's Aquaculture Club. There, he received his Associate of Arts degree in Marine Environmental Technology and Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Resource Management, as well as college certificates in Professional Research Diving and Tropical Ornamental Mariculture.

After working part-time as the Life Support Systems Technician at the Key West Aquarium, in 2020 he became the Curator and Operations Manager of the historic facility. In 2022 he then began work at MOTE’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration as the Life Support Systems Manager. Travis also volunteers for the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America as President of the organization. In his free time, he operates a home aquaculture company with his wife, Mick Walsh. The duo also maintains mixed reef, FOWLR, and freshwater aquaria including an aquaponic system. When he's not elbows deep in fish tanks, Travis enjoys sailing his Hobie Cat, camping, and restoring vintage cars.

CONTACT

UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
1408 24th Street SE
Ruskin, FL  33570
travis.knorr@ufl.edu
813-671-5230

• Education

  B.S., Marine Resource Management, 2022, College of the Florida Keys

  AALSO Water Quality, Level 2, 2022

  AALSO Life Support Systems, Level Operator 2, 2022

  College Credit Certificate, Scientific Diver, 2017, Florida Keys Community College

  College Credit Certificate, Tropical Ornamental Mariculture Technician, 2017, Florida Keys Community College

  A.S., Marine Environmental Technology, 2015, Florida Keys Community College

• Selected Publications

  Schmidt-Roach, S., T. Knorr, C. Roch, R. Klaus, C. Klepac, S.G. Klein, and C.M. Duarte. 2024. Cost-efficiency and effectiveness of coral restoration pathways. Restoration Ecology.
  Read Here

• Presentations

  Knorr, T.G., L. Ekus, C. Shelton, and E. Wiser. 2024. Community building: A social approach to supporting success in the ornamental aquarium trade through the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America. Aquaculture America, San Antonio, TX, USA. pg. 268.

  Knorr, T.G., C.A. Murray, O.I. Markham, and M.A. DiMaggio. 2024. Enhancement of commercially available microparticulate feeds using three amino acids: an investigation into first feeding of Betta splendens. Aquaculture America, San Antonio, TX, USA. pg. 269.

  Knorr, T.G. 2023. Mote Marine Laboratory's climate and acidification ocean simulator; a life support system designed to create future ocean conditions for the study of various marine life. Aquaculture America, New Orleans, LA, USA. pg. 297.

  Knorr, T.G. 2022. Preserving a historic facility while updating LSS infrastructure: the story of Key West Aquarium. Aquaculture America, San Diego, CA, USA. pg. 385.

  Knorr, T.G., and M.L. Walsh. 2022. Garage-a-culture: small-scale ornamental aquaculture. Aquaculture America, San Diego, CA, USA. pg. 386.

  Knorr, T., and M. Walsh. 2022. Garage-a-culture: starting an aquaculture company at home. Marine Aquarium Conference of North America, Milwaukee, WI, USA. 

  Knorr, T.G., and M.L. Walsh. 2019. Benthic copepods as a replacement for Artemia nauplii: Advantages for small-scale aquaculture production. Aquaculture America, New Orleans, LA, USA. pg. 572.

  Marrero-Ramirez, F.E., T.G. Knorr, and M.L. Walsh. 2019. Let's do this! Preparation and recovery after hurricane disaster. Aquaculture America, New Orleans, LA, USA. pg. 686.

  Schott, N.R., M. Rowe, T.G. Knorr, S. Baareman, G. Yerkes, and M.L. Walsh. 2019. Design of an egg collection system for a public aquarium: A resource for fish culture. Aquaculture America, New Orleans, LA, USA. pg. 979.

  Cannella, L., T. Knorr, M. Walsh, G. Yerkes, and G. Gerwin. 2018. The spawning and rearing of the Neon Blue Goby Elacatinus oceanops in a low density system on a small budget. Aquaculture America, Las Vegas, NV, USA. pg. 81.

  Hirt, K.A., T.G. Knorr, and M.L. Walsh. 2018. Frostbite Clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris breeding and development. Aquaculture America, Las Vegas, NV, USA. pg. 206.

  Walsh, M.L., T.G. Knorr, and P.H. Rice. 2018. FKCC product disbursement: Trained aquaculture technicians. Aquaculture America, Las Vegas, NV, USA. pg. 507.

  Knorr, T.G., M.L. Walsh, L. Sielski, and P.H. Rice. 2018. FKCC product disbursement II: Cultured marine ornamental fish. Aquaculture America, Las Vegas, NV, USA. pg 249.

  Soucy, B., T. Knorr, M. Walsh, T. Morris, and R. Pearl. 2018. Tropical ornamental mariculture technician program at Florida Keys Community College: A case study from campus to career. Aquaculture America, Las Vegas, NV, USA. pg. 462.

  Iovino, P.J., T.G. Knorr, and M.L. Walsh. 2016. Establishing a length-weight relationship for post-metamorphose juvenile Ocellaris Clownfish. Aquaculture America, Las Vegas, NV, USA. pg. 377.

  Knorr, T.G., P.J. Iovino, and M.L. Walsh. 2016. On drugs: The sedative effects of clove oil on post-metamorphose juvenile Clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris. Aquaculture America, Las Vegas, NV, USA. pg. 429.

• Awards

  2022 Fish Culture Section (FCS) Student Travel Award - American Fisheries Society