NASAC Notes
January 1994
NASAC Annual Meeting Booth Bay Harbor, Maine May
22, 23, 24,
1994
PROPOSED AGENDA
May 21 - Saturday
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. "Early Bird" Reception
May 22 - Sunday
9:00 a.m. Opening/Welcome
Overview of Conference
9:30 a.m. Northeast Aquaculture Program Highlights
NRAC Report Northeastern Region State Reports:
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
Connecticut
Massachusetts
New York
Rhode Island
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Delaware
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. NASDA Report
11:20 a.m. JSA Report
11:40 a.m. NAA Overview
12:00 noon Lunch with Speaker
1:30 p.m. Maine Aquaculture Innovations Center
2:30 p.m. INAD Workshop
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
7:00 p.m. Dinner with program
May 23 - Monday
8:30 a.m. Aquaculture Canada
9:00 a.m. Marketing: Northeast
Marketing Study
9:45 a.m. Marketing: NAFTA Impact
10:15 a.m. Marketing: EC Directives
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Defense Technologies
Offer Potential
Aquaculture
Applications
12:00 noon Lunch with Speaker
1:30 p.m. Instructions for
Afternoon
1:40 p.m. Open Discussion on Facilitating Future
3:30 p.m. Regional Meetings
5:30 p.m. Adjourn
Dinner (On Your Own)
May 24 - Tuesday
7:00 a.m. Breakfast/Committee
Meetings
9:30 a.m. NASAC Business Meeting
12:00 noon Lunch
1:30 p.m. Depart for Tour
Dinner -- New England
Clam Bake
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
For 1993-94 NASAC Membership, we presently have 24 Executive Members and six (6) Associate
Members. Also, Ted McNulty of Arkansas will be on the list very soon, as he is in the
process of sending his check as this report is being written. However, we are missing some
other states that have been members before. We are missing the renewals from New Jersey,
South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and Washington. However, on a good note, we have new
Executive Members of Alabama, Georgia, Guam, Indiana, Mississippi, and Nebraska. New
Associate Members are Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Tennessee. We are missing
California, Maine, Oregon, and Vermont. If you do not see your state or name listed on the
93-94 membership list, there is still time to join before the Annual Meeting in Maine on
May 22-24. Won't you consider joining now? If you have lost your NASAC Dues Invoice, give
me a call and I will send you another one. NASAC needs your support.
1993-94 NASAC Membership List
Executive Members:
Alabama, John C. Gamble
Colorado, Jim Rubingh
Connecticut, John Volk
Delaware, Ferdinand F. Wirth
Florida, Paul Zajicek
Georgia, Michael D. Spencer
Guam, William Fitzgerald
Hawaii, John S. Corbin
Idaho, Phil Mamer
Illinois, Delayne Holsapple
Indiana, LaDon Swann
Kansas, Ken Boughton
Louisiana, Bryce Malone
Maryland, Brad Powers
Minnesota, Ying Ji
Mississippi, Roger E. Barlow
Missouri, S. Wayne Yokley
Nebraska, Bonnie Stauffer
North Carolina, Thomas W. Ellis, III
Pennsylvania, Leo Dunn
Texas, James O. Jones
Virginia, Robins Buck
West Virginia, Robert L. Williams
Wisconsin, Erwin A. "Bud" Sholts
Wyoming, Billie Lundberg
Associate Members:
Alabama, Eugene L. Torrans, Southeastern Fish Cultural Laboratory
Michigan, Robert G. Craig
New Hampshire, Victoria M. Smith
Rhode Island, Arthur Ganz, DEM/RI Division of Fish, Wildlife & Estuarine Resources
Tennessee, Kelly Williams & Joe Gaines
Texas, Bob Blumberg, Texas General Land Office
NASAC BOARD MEETING
President Brad Powers called a meeting of the NASAC Board to order at 5:30 p.m. at the New
Orleans Marriott on January 13, 1994. Board members present were Brad Powers, Robins
Buck-Secretary/Treasurer, Leo Dunn-Director, and Ying Ji-Director. Other NASAC members or
guest attending were Delayne Holsapple, Chuck Hicks, Bryce Malone, Betsy
Sheehan, Ted McNulty, Linda Hutton, Smitty Smitherman, and John Nickum. It was agreed that
NASAC'94 and the Annual Business Meeting would be held at Booth Bay Harbor, Maine on May
22-24. There will be an early-bird reception on Saturday evening May 21 to allow for
Saturday travel; Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday will be full days, including a Tuesday
evening function; and Wednesday, May 25 will be return travel. A tentative agenda was
discussed and is in the process of being finalized. (Delayne, insert proposed, tentative
agenda here). Other general items were discussed or brought to the attention of the Board.
After a presentation by John Nickum about Aquaculture '95 in San Diego, CA sponsored by
the World Aquaculture Society, National Shellfish Association, and the Fish Culture
Section of the American Fisheries Society, a motion was made and seconded that NASAC
become an Associate Sponsor for Aquaculture '95 in San Diego, CA on February 1-4, 1995.
Motion passed. Associate sponsorship is no cost, but simply shows our support for the
conference. Delayne Holsapple will compile the "State Aquaculture Review" for
the NASAC '94 Annual Meeting and Conference in Maine, as discussed during the meeting at
the request of Brad Powers. The "U.S. Aquatic Animal Health Services" current
status and study done
by NASAC on behalf of the JSA is ready for distribution. Each NASAC representative will be
receiving two copies soon. It was suggested that one copy go to each state's animal health
official. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
FROM NASDA NEWS:
Aquaculture is Agriculture
S. 1288, the national Aquaculture Development, Commercialization and Promotion Act of
1993, introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HA), would declare aquaculture to be a form of
agriculture and would treat cultured aquatic plants and animals as livestock and
agricultural commodities for the purpose of programs administered by USDA. In a Senate
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Agricultural Research, Conservation,
Forestry and General Legislation hearing, Akaka said, "For too long, aquaculture
farmers have suffered from a lack of clear government-wide policy to promote this
important sector of agriculture. Aquaculture has also been limited by an inability to
participate in many of the farm programs available to dry-land agriculture. The time has
come for the federal government to recognize that just because the crop you harvest has
fins and gills instead of hoofs and horns, it is still agriculture and you deserve to be
treated just like any other farmer who works hard for a living." Henry Parker,
Director of the USDA Office of Aquaculture, testified that aquaculture will be a major
global agricultural growth industry in the 21st century. He said the U.S. has an
opportunity to develop an internationally competitive aquaculture industry to serve
national needs and the global marketplace. Parker said "the United States ranks only
tenth in the world in the valued of its aquaculture industry, and imports over 60 percent
of its seafood... The U.S. government needs to do a better job of fostering the growth of
a globally competitive domestic aquaculture industry."
S. 1288 is designed to:
- Declare a national aquaculture policy;
- Establish USDA as the lead agency for the development, implementation, promotion, and
coordination of national policy and
programs for private aquaculture;
- Establish private aquaculture as a form of agriculture;
- Promote federal policies that will allow the U.S. to become more competitive in the
expanding world market for aquaculture
products;
- Address needs of aquaculture farmers -- advanced research, credit assistance, disaster
assistance, market data, conservation
assistance, and improved policy coordination among federal agencies;
- Assist all aquaculture farmers equally;
- Authorize funds for research on the latest technologies for aquaculture farming;
- Establish an international exchange program to allow researchers to learn about
successful production methods in countries
where aquaculture is more highly developed;
- Improve education about aquaculture through programs for high school and vocational
education student; and
- Authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance to eligible aquaculture
farmers who suffer losses due to damaging
weather or related conditions.
Currently within the federal government
different aspects of aquaculture are handled by a variety of agencies. The Joint
Subcommittee on Aquaculture (JSA), a statutory committee operating under the purview of
the Federal Coordinating Council of Science, Engineering and Technology, in the Office of
the President's Science Advisor, was created in 1985 to increase the overall effectiveness
of federal aquaculture programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is the JSA's permanent
chairman. USDA is the lead agency for coordinating and disseminating aquaculture
information. The Food and Drug Administration keeps tabs on drug use in aquaculture
operations. The Environmental Protection Agency monitors runoff and waste from
aquaculture. The National Marine Fisheries Service inspects aquaculture products such as
catfish and trout. Since 1980, the U.S. trade deficit in edible fishery products foods has
increased by 48 percent, from $1,777,921,000 to $2,634,738,000 in 1991. Global seafood
demand is projected to increase to 70 percent by 2025, and with harvests from capture
fisheries stable or declining, aquaculture would have to increase production by 700
percent, a total of 77 million metric tons annually. Private aquaculture production in the
u.S. has increased an average of 20 percent by weight annually since 1980, and is one of
the fastest growing segments of U.S. and world agriculture. Since 1960, per capita
consumption of aquatic foods in the U.S. has increased by 49 percent to 14.9 pounds in
1991, and could reach 20 pounds by the year 2000. The total U.S. demand is projected to
double by 2020.
Note: Further testimony for the Senate Subcommittee on Agricultural Research,
Conservation, Forestry, and General Legislation was provided by Robert Robinson (General
Accounting Office), Joe McCraren (NAA), Roy Martin (National Aquaculture Council), Hugh
Warren (CFA) and Jim Zimmerman (Washington Fish Growers Association). More Senate hearings
are expected early in 1994 in a Subcommittee of the Commerce, Science and Transportation
Committee.
Aquaculture and the Census
The census of agriculture is conducted on 5-year intervals. At the request of the catfish
and trout associations, the first aquaculture questions were added to the questionnaire
during its two census cycles in the 70's. We asked about surface acres of water, number of
fish sold, pounds of fish sold, and dollars from fish sales by fish species. The past five
census cycles have seen some fluctuation with the wording of the aquaculture questions. We
dropped the acreage question, then added then subsequently dropped tropical and bait fish,
added hybrid striped bass and crawfish.
The census of agriculture is a major source of county-level agricultural statistics,
however aquaculture data is often too thin to publish at the county level and maintain
confidentiality.To try to improve aquacultural data collection for the next census, I
would appreciate feedback to the following questions:
Should the aquaculture question vary by region? For example, crawfish are very important to have prelisted on the questionnaire for Louisiana, but would not be important to Idaho. However, the reverse would be true for trout. The 1992 census prelisted four species, (catfish, trout, hybrid striped bass, and crawfish) and had two categories whereby the respondent could write-in the specie of fish or aquacultural product that they were producing. is this sufficient for your state? What are the predominant forms of aquaculture for your state?
Is the collection of surface acres of water information that would be useful to the industry? Is it feasible to collect? Should there be any provisions to report tank or closed systems?
Is it relevant to publish numbers or pounds
sold when it includes all types of production such as the hatchery, fingerling,
brood stock, market size food fish, etc.? Perhaps publishing only the dollars reported is
more relevant.
Does aquaculture include both plants and animals? If so, what kind of plants?
I have heard that several states have entered into agreements for USDA/NASS to collect some aquacultural statistics. I am interested in knowing more about which states are involved, the frequency of data collection, and what kinds of data is collected.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at
301/763-8620 or FAX 301/763-8315.
Please send comments to: Linda J. Hutton
Room 436 Iverson
Agriculture Division
Bureau of the Census
Washington, DC 20233
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
Copies of the Senate Report 103-192 on the Senate markup of
Senate Bill 1288, National Aquaculture Development and Promotion Act of 1993 are available
on request. This document cannot be transmitted electronically. The report includes
committee considerations, markup, section-by-section analysis, cost estimate, regulatory
impact evaluation and changes in existing law.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
From US Army Corps of Engineers, Public Affairs Office, Waterways Experiment Station, 3909
Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199; tel. (601) 634-2502:
Technology Issues
USDA Biotechnology specialist Maryln Cordle recently spoke about Federal oversight of
aquatic animal biotechnology at a symposium on aquaculture and public policy at Woods
Hole, MA. She said the Federal emphasis on aquaculture recognizes a need to meet consumer
demand for high quality seafood without depleting natural resources. Other benefits would
include a reduction of U.S. reliance on imported seafood, the creation of new jobs, and
the integration of aquaculture into coastal zone
management.
She said the Federal government does not currently have a
clear policy regarding oversight of aquatic animal biotechnology, but is taking steps to
remedy the situation. Cordle added that regulatory uncertainty is a dis-incentive to
venture capital investment and research in this area. She added that biotechnology
offers new tools for introducing traits to improve food quality, yield and resistance to
disease and other stress factors.
TAPPING FEDERAL TECHNOLOGY: INVENTIONS, EXPERTISE
AND FACILITIES
A one-of-a-kind 220 page compendium describes more than 150 information, analysis, and
software centers; clearinghouses; bulletin boards; databases; and catalogs. It was
developed by the Federal Laboratory Consortium. It is described as an invaluable tool for
companies seeking to exploit the technology and expertise available at its more than 500
member federal R&D laboratories and centers and is an excellent reference tool for
extension staff. "Tapping Federal Technology" is available from FLC
Publications, PO Box 545, Sequim, WA 98382-0545. Cost is $18 however personnel working for
agencies may receive single copies at no cost. You are requested to include self-addressed
mailing label with request.
UPDATED PROTOCOL FOR COMPASSIONATE INAD ON CHLORAMINE-T
An updated version of protocol submitted to FDA by USFWS is available. It includes FDA
questions and responses on the protocol for the Chloramine-T INAD. Anyone interested in
applying for an INAD or learning more about the process involved in developing acceptable
protocols for an INAD may want to request this new information dated December 10, 1993
from: Rosalie Schnick, National Biological Survey, National Fisheries Research Center,
2630 Fanta Reed Road, P.O. Box 818,
La Crosse, WI 54602 or call (608) 781-6200.
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES AND INFORMATION
Also In the Federal Register:
Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program Notice inviting applications for fiscal year
1994 grant funds under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice inviting applications for fiscal year 1994 grant funds under the
Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program
(FSMIP) was allocated $1,300,000 in the Federal budget for Fiscal Year 1994. Funds remain
available for this program. States interested in obtaining funds under the program are
invited to submit proposals for marketing studies. Only State Departments of Agriculture
of State Agencies are eligible for funds.
DATES: Applications will be accepted through June 1, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Proposals may be sent to Dr. Harold S. Ricker, Assistant Director,
Transportation and Marketing Division, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA, Room
4006 South Building, P. O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Harold S. Ricker, (202) 720-2704.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSMIP is authorized under section 204(b) of the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.). The program is a matching fund program
designed to asset State Departments of Agriculture in conducting feasibility studies
related to the marketing and agricultural products. Organizations interested in conducting
a marketing study should contact their State Department of Agriculture Marketing Division
to discuss their proposal. Mutually acceptable proposals must be submitted through the
State Office and be accompanied by a completed SF424 and detailed budget statement. FSMIP
funds may not be used for advertising or the purchase of equipment or facilities.
Guidelines may be obtained from your State Departments of Agriculture or the above AMS
contact.
In terms of objectives, the States are encouraged to submit
proposals regarding:
(1) Studies to identify new crops, markets, and marketing systems for agricultural
products, both domestically and internationally;
(2) studies to improve efficiency of the marketing system to enhance competitiveness and
profitability; and
(3) studies to help maintain product quality through new handling, processing, and
distribution techniques. Proposals addressing other marketing objectives will also receive
consideration. FSMIP is listed in the "Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance"
under number 10.156 and subject agencies must adhere to title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, which bars discrimination in all Federally assisted programs.
Also in the Federal Register:
Market Promotion Program
SUMMARY: This notice announces the Market Promotion Program for Fiscal year 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural
Service, Marketing Operations Staff, Room 4932-S, 14th and Independence Avenue,
Washington, DC 20250-1042, Telephone: (202)720-5521.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as amended,
directs the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to "carry out a program to encourage
the development, maintenance and expansion of commercial export markets for agricultural
commodities through cost-share assistance to eligible trade organizations that implement a
foreign market development program." Assistance under this program may be provided in
the form of funds of, or commodities owned by, the CCC, as determined appropriate by the
Secretary. MPP will be implemented in accordance with the regulations set forth in 7 CFR
part 1485, subpart B, (56 FR 40745), August 16, 1991, as revised by the interim rule
published in the Federal Register on november 17, 1993 (58 FR 60549). The Administrator of
the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), who is Vice President of CCC, is authorized to
enter into agreements with nonprofit trade associations, regional associations of state
departments of agriculture, state groups, and U.S. private firms and cooperatives to
provide cost-share assistance to carry-out approved export promotion activities.
Eligibility for promotional support will be limited to those agricultural commodities or
products which are at least 50 percent u.S. origin by weight, excluding added water.
Except for activities conducted by small-sized entities operating through state groups,
promotional activities will only be undertaken to counter or offset the adverse effects of
a subsidy, import quota, or other unfair trade practice of a foreign country, through
cost-share assistance, in order to encourage the development, maintenance, and expansion
of commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. Assistance
may be provided for brand promotion activities when such activities are determined by the
Administrator, FAS, to be an effective means of carrying out the purposes of the
MPP. To be considered by CCC, applicants must fully comply with the procedures specified
in 7 CFR part 1485. Criteria for the allocation of CCC resources in the MPP are set
forth in 7 CFR 1485.15. The applicant must provide the information required by 7
CFRpart 1485 and may include any other factors the applicant deems appropriate. All
applications (original plus two copies) must be received by 5 p.m. eastern time, February
23, 1994 at the following address:
Overnight delivery: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service,
Marketing Operations Staff, 4932-S, 14th and Independence Avenue, Washington, DC
20250-1042.
Regular Postal Delivery: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Marketing Operations Staff, Ag
Box 1042, Washington, DC 20250-1042.
For more detailed information regarding application procedures, revised strategic plan
formats, and other aspects of the MPP, contact the Marketing Operations Staff, Foreign
Agricultural Service, at the applicable address above or telephone (202)720-5521. Comments
regarding the conduct of the MPP may be directed to either address as applicable.
UPDATE ON SALMON MATTERS
FDA's Office of Seafood is in process of validating analytical testing procedures to
detect both synthetic and natural sources of the color pigment astaxanthin in Atlantic and
Pacific Salmon. Present analytical methods are limited to only detecting the presence of
astaxanthin and no differentiation regarding origin - natural vs. synthetic. Once the
method is developed FDA can be expected to develop a Compliance Program for Product
Testing aimed at random sampling of domestic and imported product sources. Violations can
result in seizure of domestic products and detainment of imported shipments.Currently FDA
is permitting the use of canthaxanthin as a color additive in salmonid feeds but the use
of astathanxin is prohibited. Hoffman-LaRoche has been working with FDA for several years
to obtain Federal approval for using astaxanthin in salmonid feeds.
USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service recently received a seafood report from Chile that
includes farm-raised salmon export data for 1990 (19,610 metric tons) to 1992 (38,144
metric tons). The Chilean salmon industry is also described. Some highlights from report
follow. Production - Between 1981 and 1992 farmed salmon harvest soared from 1 MT to
47,000 MT! Industry consists of about 55 companies employing over 8,500 workers.
Comparative advantages include ideal environment and low costs for land/farming areas,
feed and labor. Waters do not freeze and salmon reach commercial sizes 6-12 months earlier
than in Norway! Other factors are cheap supplies of fishmeal and off-season production.
There is also an absence of legal constraints to salmon production. Industry utilizes the
most advanced production and processing technology available. Marketing/Trade - The
Association of Chilean Salmon Farmers recently initiated an aggressive export marketing
programs -0.5 to 1.0 percent of total sales will be targeted for export promotion with
funds directed toward consumers. During 1992 fresh and chilled salmon exports
entered 20 countries.Policy - The government has virtually no role in salmon production
and exports, and there are no legal limits in the size of holdings. Industry sources point
to the lack of government interference as an important factor in the sector's success.
Although certain domestic groups have voiced concern over the environmental effect of
salmon farming, there are no environmentally-related regulations affecting the salmon
industry. Complete copy of report is available on request. I am working with FAS
staff to make this information available electronically on internet. Note: Chilean
salmon have hit US markets this Fall at prices 20% less than last year for less than $2.00
per pound. In November US Senators Cohen, Mitchell and Snowe sent a letter to US
Trade Representative Mickey Kantor expressing concern about dumping and unfairly
subsidized salmon imports from Chile.
TAX MANAGEMENT TIPS
The following is from an article by W. Eickhoff in Aquaculture Newsletter Vol. 4(4) of
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. If a farm is operated as a proprietorship
(as an individual) and a spouse is employed in farming operation, person maybe able to
deduct the entire cost of medical insurance premiums. To qualify as a deduction, spouse
must be bonafide employee of farm and medical insurance must be purchased for the
employee. The health insurance provided to the spouse is deductible by the employer
(farmer) on Schedule F. Employing one's spouse and providing health insurance for
spouse-employee can provide significant tax savings. Revenue Ruling 71-588 provides that a
taxpayer operating a business as a sole proprietorship can employ his or her spouse,
provide health insurance that covers the spouse-employee and their family, including the
farmer, and deduct the cost as a business expense. The insurance qualifies as a fringe
benefit and is not taxable income to the spouse-employee. The extent of savings will vary
depending on taxable income and the cost of the medical insurance.
AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY ON COMPU-SERVE
Another signal with increasing use of electronic communication technology is recent move
by AFS to set up an email and message posting system with CompuServe Information Service
(CIS). Members can communicate via electronic mail and electronic bulletin board
discussions. Two types of communication are available to AFS on CompuServe: 1) private
email messages to individuals and "public" messages posted for discussions. The
message area for the AFS Section is located in Section 17 of the "Earth Forum".
Use CompuServe command GO EARTH. The AFS headquarters email address on CompuServe is
73312,1155. The CompuServe standard price is $8.95 per month which covers basic services.
When not using basic services, a charge of $8 per hour is assessed with 2400 baud modem.
For more information call (800) 848-8199,select voice mail option to speak with an
operator, ask for representative #190 and request free CIS subscription - courtesy of
Earth Forum.
NEW RAC PUBLICATIONS
These publications are available from the RAC Extension Contact for your State or
Territory. An updated listing of these persons is enclosed with this Update edition.From
the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center: * Crawfish - A Healthy Choice by K. Ladewig and
S. Schaer, SRAC Publication No. 243.From the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center: *
Fish Counting & Measurement in Situ: A Technology Assessment by J. Huguenin, NRAC
Publication No. 221-1993. * Northeast Region Aquaculture Industry Situation and
Outlook Report by M. Bush and J. Anderson, November 1993.
UPCOMING MEETINGS/CONFERENCES
February 16-19, 1994 - California Aquaculture Association Conference & Trade Show '94,
San Diego, CA. Contact: California Aquaculture Association, PO Box 1004, Niland, CA 92257,
tel. (619) 359-FISH.June 11-14, 1995 - Sustainable Aquaculture '95, Honolulu, HI. To
address public policy, financing, technology for economically and environmentally
sustainable aquaculture, constraints and opportunities involved with sustainable
aquaculture. Contact: Sustainable Aquaculture '95, Pacon International, PO Box 11568,
Honolulu, HI 96828 or phone (808) 956-6163, fax (808) 956-2580, or internet (saxena@wiliki.eng.hawaii.edu).
UPCOMING MEETINGS/CONFERENCES
February 16-19, 1994 - California Aquaculture Association Conference & Trade Show '94,
San Diego, CA. Contact: California Aquaculture Association, PO Box 1004, Niland, CA 92257,
tel. (619) 359-FISH. June 11-14, 1995 - Sustainable Aquaculture '95, Honolulu, HI. To
address public policy, financing, technology for economically and environmentally
sustainable aquaculture, constraints and opportunities involved with sustainable
aquaculture. Contact: Sustainable Aquaculture '95, Pacon International, PO Box 11568,
Honolulu, HI 96828 or phone (808) 956-6163, fax (808) 956-2580, or internet (saxena@wiliki.eng.hawaii.edu).
WISCONSIN: FEBRUARY GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE
The Governor's annual Conference on Agriculture will focus on a new agricultural
technology and alternative crop--farm raised fish. The program, "Wisconsin
Aquaculture '94," will be Feb. 18-19 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Aquacultureis a $6-10 million industry in Wisconsin, according to the Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). There are more than 300 fish farms in
the state. Wisconsin aquaculturists raise a number of species including rainbow trout,
yellow perch, pike, crappie, minnows and others. The two-day conference provides an
opportunity for both professionalsand hobbyists to learn about developing innovative
methods to improve and expand aquaculture production and profits. Conference topics
include marketing and finance options, regulations and permits required, fish health,water
quality management, baitfish, pond management as well as fee fishing. Conference sponsors
are the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Wisconsin Aquaculture
Industry Advisory Council; Sea Grant Institute; Wisconsin Aquaculture Association; and the
University of Wisconsin System.
To receive a registration form, call 608/262-0645. If you have specific questions, contact
Monique Lomax, DATCP development specialist, 608/266-7226.
Situation and Outlook Report Published
Michael Bush and Dr. James Anderson, professor of Resource Economics at the University of
Rhode Island, have compiled The Northeast Region Aquaculture Industry Situation and
Outlook Report, a well written collection of aquaculture statistics for the
northeast region. Based on hundreds of questionnaires and interviews, the report includes
statistics (broken down by state and species) on aquaculture harvest, farm gate value,
employment estimates, and producers' opinions on current restraints, future production and
prices. This report was funded primarily by a grant from the Northeast Regional
Aquaculture Center, USDA. Copies of the 60 page report can be obtained by sending $8.00 to
Attn: James Anderson, Department of Resource Economics, URI, Kingston, RI 02881.
Highlights: The 1992 farm gate value of aquacultured products for the Northeast Region was
estimated at $146 million (primarily oysters 42%, salmonids 29%, quahogs 11%, and trout
9%). Aquaculture firms in the region provided jobs for approximately 1200 full-time and
1100 part-time workers. Strong growth rates were projected for almost every sector of the
industry. Regulatory difficulties were listed as one of the biggest constraints to growth
in almost every category.
NEW AQUATIC DIAGNOSTIC LAB FOR WASHINGTON
Washington State legislature allocated funds to create a new poultry and aquatic
diagnostic facility in conjunction
with the Washington State University Research and Extension Center in Puyallup. It will
operate as a
satellite of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab. Tom Baldwin, 115 Bustad Hall,
Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, tel. (509) 335-9696 will provide
leadership to establish
the lab which is expected to be providing services in January 1994. It will be a fee-based
service for private
producers. Staff plan to work with APHIS for sanctioned health certification. One task
will be to develop
a protocol for salmonid eggs which will meet Chile's requirements for disease-free
certified eggs.
THE CATFISH INSTITUTE
With the addition of Gold Kist's participation in The Catfish Institute in January, all
major catfish feed
manufacturers will be participating in the catfish marketing program. Member feed mills
will contribute $5 per
ton of catfish feed sold in 1994. Funds will be used for advertising, public relations and
other programs overseen
by TCI. Effective January 1 the following companies have confirmed membership in TCI:
Delta
Western, Indianola, MS; Producers Feed Company, Isola, MS; SF Services, North Little
Rock, AR; Fishlot Feeds, Moorhead, MS; Arhat Feeds, Dumas, AR; Alabama Farmers
Cooperative, Decatur, AL; Nutrena Feeds, Minneapolis, MN; Topwater Feeds, Wisner, LA;
and Gold Kist, Atlanta, GA.
RERERENDUM CATFISH CHECK-OFF
On May 16, 1994 Alabama's Catfish check-off program will be five years old. The first
referendum was held
in 1989 and passed with a 91.7% YES vote. The $2 per ton assessment on catfish feed went
into effect on July
3, 1989. Alabama law requires that a referendum be held every five years. The Alabama
Catfish Producers
State Committee will meet on Friday, February 25 during the Catfish Farmers of America
annual
meeting to set the date for the referendum and to decide on the amount of assessment to be
levied. In order for you
as a catfish producer to have some input into the amount you think the assessment needs to
be, on Wednesday,
February 9, at 2:05 p.m. during the Alabama Fish Farming Conference we will conduct a
straw vote
among catfish producers present. The committee will then evaluate the results of the vote
and use the results to help
determine what the amount of assessment should be for the next five years. Please ask your
fellow producers how they
feel about the program and encourage them to
be at the conference. Should you have any questions about the program, please call Jimmy
Carlisle at (205)
613-4214 or one of the committee members.
Connecticut Aquaculture Success Story
John Vol,, Director of Connecticut's Department of Agriculture
-Aquaculture Division, spoke to a packed house of enthusiastic listeners at the last OSAA
meeting on December 6 th. here are some of the highlights:
Connecticut's oyster aquaculture industry has grown from 30,000 bushels in 1960 to almost
a million bushels in 1992. The farm gate value of this harvest was calculated at over $63
million with the industry directly providing about 620 jobs. In just the past five years
Connecticut has grown to be the second largest oyster producing state in the nation. Their
success comes from aggressively managing the industry by planting a million bushels of
cultch (setting substrate for the oyster larvae) in each of the last five years. The state
purchases this cultch (mined oyster shell) for about a dollar a bushel, with
industry volunteers distributing it in the shallow waters around Bridgeport and Stratford.
in late summer, oyster larvae settle on the cultch; some 200 hand-dredgers harvest the
thumbnail-sized oysters in the fall and spring. private leaseholders buy the seeded cultch
at $7 to $10 per bushel for growout in their deeper, clean-water leases offshore. The
state funds most of its $450,000-a-yearmanagement program and the $1-million-a-year cultch
laying program through a 10% tax on these seeded cultch sales, as well as through lease
and license fees. The seeded cultch is spread on the leased bottom at a rate of about
2,000 bushels per acre, and is allowed to grow for three to five years before harvesting.
During this time growers try to minimize predator damage by removing starfish with huge
mops. Perhaps most encouraging is the fact that Connecticut has managed this explosive
aquaculture growth without substantial conflicts with the state's large recreational
boating and commercial fishing industries. Currently 119 private lease holders account for
a total of 46,000 acres, which is less than half the acreage leased at the turn of the
century. The state has set aside 10,000 acres of the shallower, most productive beds for
traditional commercial and recreational wild-harvest shellfishing. Studies have shown that
the oyster-cultch-laying activities have increased the diversity of the environment while
improving the survival of hard clam set, juvenile lobsters and fish. Connecticut also has
a $2 million privatized hard clam relay program. Connecticut is a prime example of a
state that has invested a modest amount of money managing and improving its natural
shellfish resources to reap huge rewards in terms of jobs and revenues, exceeding their
investment many times over.
ALABAMA FISH FARMING CONFERENCE
The 1994 Alabama Fish Farming Conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 8 and
Wednesday, February 9 at the Montgomery Civic Center in Montgomery, Alabama. The
conference will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas between aquaculture researchers,
producers, suppliers of aquaculture equipment and speakers from all phases of the
aquaculture industry. In addition, the conference will once again have a trade show with
exhibitors displaying aquaculture equipment, supplies, feed and chemicals. On
Tuesday, February 8, registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Educational Program
beginning at 1:00 p.m. On Tuesday afternoon, the program will focus on "Basics of
Aquaculture Production" covering such topics as economics, facility construction,
fingerlings, aeration and water quality, fish health, harvesting, processing, marketing
and cage culture production. The Trade Show will be open from 3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on the
first day. On Tuesday night from7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., we will have a Banquet honoring the
retirement of Dr. E. Wayne Shell, Head, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures,
Auburn University. Wednesday's educational program will consist of a catfish quality
assurance workshop, an update on Alabama's check-off program and an aquaculture research
session. Our Luncheon speaker on Wednesday will be Dr. David Hunter from Knoxville,
Tennessee. In addition to the trade show door prizes, our Grand Prize will be three days
and two nights at Marriott's Bay Point Resort in Panama City, Florida. For Exhibitor
Information, please contact John Jensen or Michael Masser at (205) 844-4786. For
Registration, please contact Jimmy Carlisle at (205)613-4214. Hotel Reservations can by
made by calling the Statehouse Inn, 924 Madison Ave., at 1-800-552-7099 in Alabama and
(205) 265-0741. If you are an experienced fish farmer, beginning or just thinking about
it, the Alabama FishFarming Conference is the place to be. Hope to see you in Montgomery.
Alabama Checkoff
RECENTLY FUNDED CHECK-OFF PROGRAMS
1) $8,350 for improvements and modifications to the Alabama Fish Farming Center building.
2) $10,000 to help sponsor andpromote the 1994 Alabama Catfish Festival in Greensboro,
Alabama which will be held September 17, 1994.
3) $250 to help sponsor the 1994 Alabama Fisheries Association annual meeting.
4) $24,550 for a study on the field effectiveness of salt treatments in catfish ponds for
the control of ESC and Columnaris.
5) $1,500 to help sponsor and promote the Ariton Catfish Festival in Ariton, Alabama which
will be held April 2, 1994.
6) $2,269 for the installation of a watts line number in the office of the extension
fisheries specialist in Decatur, Alabama.
7) $95 for a promotion banner for the Alabama Ag Fall Roundup and Tailgate 101 at Auburn
University's homecoming game.
TOTAL CHECK-OFF PROGRAM EXPENDITURE
The following is a complete listing of total check-off program
expenditures from July 3, 1989 through December 1, 1993:
1) Audit and Banking Services - $3,368.73 (.5%)
2) State Aquaculture Plan - $20,000 (3.3%)
3) Quality Assurance Program - $20,000 (3.3%)
4) Promotion, Sponsorship and Education - $45,917.99 (7.5%)
5) Reserve - $61,291.59 (10.0%)
6) Alabama Fish Farming Center - $80,077 (13.1%)
7) Research - $111,035 (18.1%)
8) Refunds -$123,249.25 (20.1%)
9) Funds Not Committee - $147,976.40 (24.16%). Total receipts amounted to $612,915.96
during same time period. Total interest earned was $15,284.29. On February 9 from 1:30
p.m. - 1:50 p.m. during the Alabama Fish Farming Conference there will be an update on
Alabama's Catfish check-off program.