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Source: LaDon Swann, 765-494-6264 Contact: Robin Goettel, Extension Communications Specialist 217-333-9448 -- Urbana, IL -- What activities take place during a day in the life of an aquaculture producer? Which fish products interest potential buyers in supermarkets? What's the best way to promote your farm-raised fish? Now outreach educators, aquaculture instructors, and those interested in the aquaculture profession can get computer-based training on these and other fundamentals of aquaculture. It's convenient, self-paced, and highly interactive, according to LaDon Swann, creator of the new CD-ROM, "Getting Started in Freshwater Aquaculture." This educational tool helps people understand the many dimensions of this business. This CD-ROM makes learning easy and interesting through text, 213 audio files, 22 video clips, 512 photos, 160 illustrations and 52 animations that bring to life the various facets of the industry. Because aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing segments of U.S. agriculture, there is great potential for this industry to provide seafood products to consumers that supplement the commercial fishery. The CD-ROM provides an excellent introduction to what it takes to be successful in this field. Some of the key features of this CD include sections on business planning, marketing, species selection, water resources needed and production methods. People can use our "hot" buttons to check out the virtual seafood display case. "They can click on fish fillets, steaks, chunks, nuggets and other forms and learn more about what retailers are looking for when they buy your fish," says Swann, who is the Sea Grant aquaculture specialist. "Enter the processing room and you will find out what is necessary to pass a food safety inspection. You'll get answers to what types of sinks, tables and drains to use and learn the importance of sealed lighting and outlets and the need for ice machines," says Swann. The CD lets you wake up with an aquaculturist at 5:00 a.m. and join him during his busy day of water quality testing, feeding, harvesting, marketing, restocking, maintenance and repair activities. "You can really appreciate the different roles of a fish farmer," says Swann, "once you've explored Getting Started in Freshwater Aquaculture." An accompanying workbook serves as a guide on how to use the CD-ROM. It provides review questions, business planning forms and example test questions. Teachers can photocopy pages from the workbook to help students review aquaculture concepts and test how much they have learned through their hands-on experience. Also included are sample business plans, cash flow statements and enterprise budgets that can help students and interested aquaculturists learn the concepts to develop their own business strategies. Cost of the CD-Rom and workbook is $59.95. (Please make checks payable to Purdue University Aquaculture.) To place an order, or for more information on "Getting Started in Freshwater Aquaculture," contact LaDon Swann, Aquaculture Specialist, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program, Purdue University, 1026 Poultry Science Building, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1026; ph:765/494-6264, or email: swanndl@auburn.edu or check your local bookstore. |