A different focus,”Raising Fish for Your Family,”will bring both new and experienced aquaculture enthusiasts to the 2005 Aquaculture Forum Saturday, Jan. 15, at WVU Jacksons Mill State 4-H Camp and Center for Lifelong Learning nearWeston.
The one-day seminar, which will attract about 100 aquaculture enthusiasts, is the perfect event for anyone who is interested in aquaculture but has little experience with the industry, according to Ken Semmens, Extension aquaculture specialist at West Virginia University, who is coordinating the forum.
Aquaculture is the farming of plants and animals that live in watersuch as trout, catfish and bass. Generally raised in controlled areas like ponds, cages and tanks, they are harvested for food and profit.
In previous years, the forum focused on the commercial production aspects of aquaculture, but this year, Semmens said, the focus is on how people can grow their own fish for personal use. Growing fish is not only a healthy source of fresh food, but it is also fun and exciting, he said.
Besides being eligible for door prizes, participants will receive aquaculture literature, see equipment used for fish farming, taste aquaculture products, meet suppliers and learn about West Virginia aquaculture research and development.
At the forum, aquaculture specialists will provide extensive insight and information about the industry, vendor booths will showcase West Virginia aquaculture products, and posters will describe the latest West Virginia aquaculture research projects.
In addition, the West Virginia Aquaculture Association will host an open meeting, WVU aquaculture Extension staff will give presentations on fish farming, and attendees will have the opportunity to meet, ask questions and socialize with vendors, presenters and other fish folks.
Among the educational presentations will be Semmensexplanation about what to grow and how to grow it. Rodney Kiser, WVU Extension research assistant, will describe how to transport small quantities of live fish and where to purchase aquaculture supplies.
Julie Delabbio, department head of the aquaculture program at Bluefield State College, will present her annual review of developments in West Virginias aquaculture industry.
Dan Miller, WVU research associate, will describe production systems and pond management.
Guen Brown, WVU Extension nutrition and health specialist, will discuss the health benefits gained from eating farm-raised fish.
The forum is sponsored by the West Virginia Aquaculture Association, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and the WVU Extension Service.
The early-registration fee is $10 per person and must be received by Jan. 7, 2005. On-site registration is $20 per person and will be taken at the door beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15.
A lunch buffet of West Virginia aquaculture products will be included in the registration fee. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 4:30 p.m.
For more registration information, visit the WVU Extension aquaculture Web site athttp://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/aquaculture/index.htm, contact your county WVU Extension office or call Becky Casteel at 304-293-6131, ext. 4231, or by e-mail at Becky.Casteel@mail.wvu.edu .