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What Happened to the February Newsletter? First off, I apologize for not getting a newsletter out for February, but as many of you are aware, there's been quite a bit happening in the first part of this year. I kept waiting to write this, hoping that some of these things would come to conclusion, and since yesterday was March, decided it was time to send something out. Ornamental Aquaculture Given "State Major Program" Status Within the University of Florida's Extension Service, programs are being developed on four year plans, and then revisited each year. Reports of accomplishment are then compiled on an annual basis. In developing and reporting plans and accomplishments, extension agents and specialists utilize State Major Programs. In the past we had one major program, entitled "Aquaculture, Including Farm Ponds". At a meeting with the faculty of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences in mid February, it was decided that there was enough diversity and difference in aquaculture to split this program up into three; 1) Ornamental Aquaculture, 2) General Aquaculture, and 3) Fisheries. While this may seem nothing but fancy governmental semantics to some of you, it indicates the recognition by the University of Florida that there is an extreme difference in the various operations and activities that are ongoing in the State. Initial plans include bringing together a core of faculty members from various departments within the University (Fisheries, Agricultural Engineering, Sea Grant, Chemistry, etc.), whose expertise can be used to help answer the needs identified by the industry. In addition to this change, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences recognizes the increased interest in Marine Aquaculture, especially in ornamental production, and we are rapidly developing research programs in this area. I will be heading the team for Ornamental Aquaculture, Dr. Andy Lazur will be heading the General Aquaculture team, and Dr. Chuck Cichra will head the Fisheries team. It is hoped that by focusing our efforts a bit more, we will be more responsive to the many challenges that face the industry. University of Florida to Hire a Veterinarian Using FTFFA Funds The Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association (FTFFA) recently decided to hire a lab technician and fund the creation of a diagnostic lab to assist the industry. IFAS proposed that instead, the association pool its resources with them, and together they hire a veterinarian. This position will be housed in the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension office until another facility is made available (see next article), and will provide the industry with an easily accessible,full- service diagnostic facility. The position will initially be a non-tenure track faculty position within the School of Veterinarian Medicine, with a dual appointment to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (the same as Ruth Francis-Floyd's assignment, except non-tenure track). Both the FTFFA and IFAS have committed to two years of funding, with the hope that the position becomes self sustaining through research grants and charges for services. Farmers will be able to drop samples off locally, and for those outside the immediate area, arrangements can be made when shipping fish to the wholesalers in the Tampa Bay area. Fees will be minimal and designed to offset the cost of the program, not generate a profit. It is the hope of the FTFFA and IFAS that this program will demonstrate the importance of proper disease diagnosis to many producers who currently do not utilize one of the existing diagnostic facilities in the state. In addition, by hiring a veterinarian, the program will be able to assist with the ongoing issues surrounding drugs and chemotheraputants, and the Food and Drug Administration. A position announcement should be out in the very near future, so if you or someone you know is interested contact me or Ruth Francis-Floyd ([904]392-9617, extension 229). Ruskin National Weather Service Building May Become Ornamental Aquaculture Research and Education Center For over three years we have been trying to secure federal funds to assist the Ornamental Aquaculture industry in Florida. Past barricades to this effort included; the list of priorities mandated by the Florida delegation in Washington and the State's Board of Regents (The University of Florida is allowed two priorities, and this was not one of them); and the construction of a building for such a center. Hillsborough County's Board of County Commissioners has recognized the importance of the industry, and has taken over the lead role in getting this project off the ground. They approved the active involvement of the county's lobbying firm in Washington on this project, and several of the commissioners have gone to Washington to speak with the Florida delegates on this matter. While federal funding is extremely difficult given current politics, the possibilities have been greatly improved with the county's leadership and involvement. Since the county is seeking the funding, and will be administering the program, the problem with the Board of Regents priority list has been eliminated. In addition, the National Weather Service in Ruskin, Florida has recently moved to new facilities, and has indicated that their old building could be loaned to the county for establishment of this center. While negotiations and agreements have not been finalized at this time, it is anticipated that this will soon be a reality. The purpose of this center will be to serve as a focal point for research and extension education for the industry, and a place where farmers can take their problems. The center will include the before mentioned veterinarian position and a diagnostic lab, as well as a library, a meeting room, and small laboratories to conduct feeding trials, chemical treatment tests, and reproductive/genetic research. The FTFFA, in addition to helping fund the veterinarian position, has agreed to construct a green house as part of the laboratory space. The center's activities will be heavily influenced by an advisory committee composed of industry representatives, assuring that the program is responding to real problems, in the real world. While still in the process, these efforts are all starting to take form, and the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to show. Major Needs Identified for Extension Programs First of all, for those of you who mailed back your survey of needs, thank you. Your input was useful, and I have tried to include it all. For those of you who did not, don't say you were never asked. Using the results of the survey, and input from the Aquaculture Advisory Committee, the following list of major program efforts have been identified. These programs will be used to assist in setting the agenda for the state major program mentioned earlier, for the next four years. Changes can be made as needs arise, but these are the areas we will be concentrating on. It should also be noted that some of these will require additional research before the educational efforts begin, and I will be passing this on to faculty at the University of Florida. Major Programs 1) Fish Health Management - Once again this is a high priority issue. We will continue to offer at least two work shops in fish health management (spring and fall), and one 3 day work shop in bacteriology. Dr. Ruth Francis- Floyd and I will be working very closely on this project, and the new veterinarian position will add tremendously to our efforts. Personally, I feel this area would benefit the largest number of producers the most if everyone took part in the program. Dead or diseased fish are not profitable. Period. 2) Production Technology - The last few years have seen an explosion in technology in this country, and much of it has direct application to aquaculture. I will be trying to develop a program designed to extend this information on a timely, and appropriate basis. This is also the area where we lack the most research, so don't get excited if we don't have all the answers right away. 3) Aquatic Pest Management - This includes things that eat your crop (i.e. birds), and things that make management of your ponds a nightmare (i.e. aquatic weeds). The USDA office of Animal Damage Control (ADC) has agreed to assist in the bird depredation problem, and has committed to assigning a biologist to work with the industry and myself. We will be looking at two major items to start with; 1) How bad a problem are fish-eating birds?, and 2) do some of the non-lethal, new methods of bird deterrence (i.e. distress call tapes work)? In addition, I will continue to offer aquatic weed management seminars (see announcement, this newsletter), and training in other pest management problems. 4) Business Management - As prices continue to fall, and production costs continue to rise, it was decided that many producers could greatly benefit from extension programs in basic business and fiscal programs. 5) Nutrition - New feeds and new feeding practices have made a major impact on production, but many are still asking questions we can't answer. This is another area where research is badly needed, and extension programs will continue. 6) Regulations - While I list it last, this was the number one need identified by the survey and the aquaculture advisory committee. Extension programs will continue to attempt to keep producers abreast of pending and existing regulations which may impact businesses. It is going to be a real challenge for me to attempt all of this, and one thing I hope to do is involve more of the University faculty when their expertise is greater than mine. This is going to require a greater involvement by the industry than ever before. So if you see an announcement about a program being offered, make an effort to attend. Ruth Francis-Floyd on the Road Again In the early years of her involvement with the farmers in Florida, Ruth had an extension budget that adequately paid for the extensive travel she was doing (It's a long ways up and down this state!). However, along with a shrinking state budget is a shrinking travel allowance for extension staff. The FTFFA has agreed to help subsidize Ruth's travel, with specific trips to the Tampa Bay region, the Sebastian area, the Kissimmee/ St. Cloud area, and Dade County. Ruth will be visiting one-on-one with farms and also organizing a few workshops in these areas. Part of what she will be doing is picking up samples of sick fish to be looked at in the diagnostic lab in Gainesville. The waters warming up and the weeds are growing in the ponds. Once again it's time for our annual overview of aquatic weed management practices for aquaculture ponds. Ken has been working with us for over 5 years now, and has put together a good program which has benefited many of the farmers in the state. Topics to be covered include:
We will be requesting 2 Continuing Education Hours (CEUs) for this program which can be used for renewal of the state's Restricted Use Pesticide License. Craig A. Watson |