NC Aquaculture Conference Harvests Fresh Ideas for Fish Farmers

RALEIGH, NC, January 14, 2011 (Press-News.org) Fish and shellfish farmers from across the region and state will gather for the 23rd annual North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference, Harvesting Fresh Ideas, on February 11-12, 2011, in Atlantic Beach, NC.

The conference offers presentations from aquaculture leaders and fish farmers, a trade show and food festival. A pre-conference tour of area fish farms and aquaculture facilities is also offered. Registration and details are online at http://www.ncaquaculture.org.

"Aqua farmers - those who raise and harvest fish -- are at the forefront of a major growth industry, harvesting good news for consumers and the environment," says Thomas M. Losordo, PhD., a North Carolina State University aquaculture specialist who is chairman of the conference planning committee.

Presentations and workshop topics include the future of global aquaculture, recent water issues, an update of available technology, managing fish disease, getting started in pond aquaculture and an overview of shellfish aquaculture. Attendees will also learn about the latest aquaculture equipment and products at the ongoing trade show.

The fish farm tour is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10. The trade show and conference presentations take place all day on Friday, Feb. 11, followed by the renowned Aqua-Food Festival featuring samples of the state's finest farm-raised fish and seafood. On Saturday morning, Feb. 12, the conference concludes with concurrent workshops.

Rob Mayo, president of Carolina Classics Catfish in Ayden, NC, says the North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference brings together some of the state and nation's top people in seafood and aquaculture to discuss key industry issues.

"Once a year, right here in North Carolina, you can meet and talk with university researchers, seafood marketing experts and industry professionals from across the nation. For anyone interested in learning more about the business of aquaculture, this conference is a great place to begin," Mayo says.

Conference speakers include:
• David Alves, fishery management specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Northeast regional office in Gloucester, Massachusetts
• Tom Ellis, agricultural member of the NC Environmental Management Commission and member of the EMC Water Quality, Groundwater and Renewable Energy committees. Ellis is the retired director of aquaculture and natural resources for the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
• Andy Goodwin, University of Arkansas (Pine Bluff) professor who teachers graduate and undergraduate courses in fish physiology and fish pathology, conducts research, and oversees four fish disease diagnostic labs that handle more than 2,000 cases per year from all over the U.S.
• Steven Hedlund, editor of SeafoodSource.com, an online source of global seafood news
• Craig Watson, director and research coordinator for the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in Ruskin, Florida

Anyone with an interest in fish or shellfish farming, including the general public, current and prospective fish growers and farmers, researchers, educators, suppliers, retailers, students or agency personnel with jobs related to aquaculture, is encouraged to attend. Registration can be completed online, by mail or fax.

The North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference is a private, non-profit corporation formed in 1991. It provides support through promotion, marketing, and other beneficial acts to strengthen, expand, and diversify the industries of freshwater and marine aquaculture in North Carolina. The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the lead state agency for aquaculture.

Conference sponsors include NC Aquaculture Association, NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, NC Farm Bureau Federation, NC Sea Grant Program, NC Shellfish Growers Association, NC Small Business & Technology Development Center, NC State University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Waterlife Design Group, Southern Aquaculture Supply and Carolina Classics Catfish, Inc.

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