MARTINSBURG, W. Va. — For the first time, West Virginia’s annual aquaculture forum will be held jointly with organizations from Pennsylvania at the Martinsburg Holiday Inn.
The 2013 Multistate Aquaculture Forum will be held Jan. 25-26 at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, W. Va.
Producer associations, regulators, and educators are working together on a program for people growing fish for profit and people growing fish for fun.
The opening session will feature Jay Whelan, head of nutrition at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a presentation on fish as a functional food, and Carole Engle, director of the aquaculture program at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, with a presentation considering the future of aquaculture in the region.
What’s offered
The session for commercial producers will feature industry updates, research highlights, panels on marketing, presentations on commercial aquaponics, development of the aquaculture industry, and aquatic invasive species.
The session for people growing fish for personal use will feature presentations on pond construction, permits, weed control, personal aquaponics, water quality, aquaculture education, purchasing fish, and products for managing your pond.
Activities include a reception featuring regional aquaculture products, vendor booths, door prizes, a poster session highlighting aquaculture research results, and a meeting of the West Virginia Aquaculture Association.
Participants will receive information on a wide variety of topics and learn about where to get fish, feed, supplies and information about growing aquaculture products.
A tour of this U.S. Department of Agriculture National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture is scheduled for Friday evening.
The details. Registration is $45 for the two-day meeting and includes a meal at noon on each day. Friday’s field trip is free, but registration is required and must be received by Jan. 15.
Information about the meeting also be obtained from Ken Semmens, 304 293-2657, or email Ken.Semmens@mail.wvu.edu, or Becky Casteel 304-293-2565; Becky.Casteel@mail.wvu.edu.
