Marketing Appalachian farm raised fish for food and sport will be featured during the annual Aquaculture Forum Saturday, Jan. 17, at WVU Jackson’s Mill Center for Lifelong Learning near Weston.

This year’s theme,”Farm Raised Fish and Recreation,”begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m., and includes entrepreneurial presentations, panel discussions, vendor booths and lunch featuring West Virginia aquaculture products.

The forum is sponsored by the West Virginia University Extension Service, West Virginia Department of Agriculture and the West Virginia Aquaculture Association. More than 100 aquaculture industry supporters attended last year’s event.

Featured speaker will be Jim Kahrs, owner of Osage Catfisheries in Osage Beach, Mo. The business produces a variety of fish for sport and food purposes to national and international markets. Kahrs has received numerous honors for his leadership and contributions to aquaculture development.

The morning session includes a panel discussion about West Virginia aquaculture opportunities and concerns. Julie Delabbio, associate professor of commercial aquaculture at Bluefield State College, will review recent aquaculture developments.

Cy Logar, professor of marketing at WVU , will explain a strategic marketing approach for recreational fee fishing in the Appalachian region during the afternoon session. Attendees will receive a printed copy of the report.

Registration for the one day event is $15 if received before Jan. 7. On site registration is $25. For more information or to register, contact Becky Casteel at 304-293 6131, ext. 4231, or by e mail at Becky.Casteel@mail.wvu.edu