NewsLetter
Autumn 2001
2001 Annual Meeting Set for February 7 and 8 in Cadillac
The
Michigan Aquaculture Association Annual Meeting has been set for February 7 and
8, 2002. The meeting will be held at
McGuire’s Resort in
The
program will be sponsored by Michigan Sea Grant and the North Central Regional
Aquaculture Center (NCRAC) and will consist of a Hybrid Walleye Workshop on the
7th. Other sessions on the 7th
and 8th will include Fishmeal Replacement in Fish Feeds, Aquaculture
Marketing, Rearing Sunfish for the Food Market, Stress Responses of Salmonids
and Percids, EPA Water Quality Standards for Aquaculture, and The Future of
Regional Aquaculture Centers.
Registration costs are $30.00 for Active, Sustaining, and Associate
Members and $60.00 for Non-Members.
The
Association Business Meeting will be held on February 8, beginning at
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has reported to the State Veterinarian the presence of Myxobolus Cerebralis, the parasite that can cause Whirling Disease, in a fish sample taken from the settling basin of the Harrietta State Fish Hatchery, an MDNR facility.
John
Hnath, MDNR fish pathologist reported that a confirmed spore of M. Cerebralis
was detected in September of 2001 from a sample of 60 fish taken from the
settling basin of the hatchery. Hnath
stated that more samples have been collected from the settling basin and from
the effluent stream that flows into Slagle Creek to look for other positive
fish.
According
to Hnath, MDNR will decide how to manage the issue based on what the additional
tests show.
Michigan
Aquaculture Association President Dan Vogler has commented that the Association
is watching the development of the situation very carefully to assure that an
equal standard is applied to both public and private fish. Vogler notes that under current MDNR policy a
private facility would probably be prohibited from
stocking public waters under similar circumstances. The Association supports a re-examination of
current M. Cerebralis policy using sound science risk management concepts.
MDA to Develop Memorandum of Understanding with MDNR
The Michigan Department of Agriculture is beginning work on
a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the MDNR for issues related to
aquaculture. The two agencies had identified potential areas of conflict
between the objectives of the agencies regarding the industry.
MDA Aquaculture Coordinator, Dr. Doug Hoort has been tasked
with drafting the MDA version of the MOU.
In a meeting between MDA, MDNR, Michigan Farm Bureau and MAA, it was
decided that there had to be clear delineation of authority under one state
agency in order for the industry to prosper.
At the same time MDNR felt that their concerns were not being adequately
addressed by MDA. The solution proposed
was the MOU process.
Both MDA and MDNR will produce draft proposals and meetings
will be held to resolve differences. MAA
and MFB will be highly involved in this process.
MAA president Dan Vogler
suggests that aquaculturists contact Dr. Hoort [(517) 373-8205] with
concerns. This input will allow him to
create a draft that addresses the issues that are on the forefront for the
industry.
New House Bill 4150: Aquaculture Exempted, Bogged
Down in House
The Michigan Aquaculture
Association Board of Directors has voted to not oppose the new Aquatic Species
Bill sponsored by Representative Susan Tabor because aquaculture has been
effectively exempted from the bill.
However, the bill has bogged down in the House due to opposition from
other groups.
After
negotiations with the sponsor of the bill and the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources, language has been adopted that will effectively exempt all
production aspects of aquaculture operations from regulation by MDNR. MDNR will still maintain authority over
stocking fish in public waters.
According
to Association President Dan Vogler, the discussions with MDNR have been
difficult because of their desire to regulate the importation and
transportation of aquaculture species.
“MDNR has insisted that they have the authority to regulate the
importation and transportation of aquaculture species, those authorities very
clearly belong to the Michigan Department of Agriculture as spelled out in the
Aquaculture Development Act and the Animal Industry Act.”
Critical
assistance in the negotiation effort has come from the Michigan Farm
Bureau. Their ability to stay on top of
developments and make the right contacts has been very important.
With the bill bogged down due to other opposition, the
Association will continue to monitor any developments and determine an
appropriate response.
The
new owners of the Green River Trout Farm have been denied permission to operate
by the Natural Rivers Zoning Board. The
Zoning Board, acting on the recommendation of the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources, has denied the Hallberg family permission to operate the
farm which relies on water diverted from the
The
Hallbergs are appealing the decision which will be heard by an Administrative
Law Judge at the Farm in the Spring of 2002.
Elections
For MAA Board to be held at Annual Meeting
Elections will be held
during the Association Annual Meeting in Cadillac. The positions of President and one Director
are up for election to a two-year term.
President Dan Vogler, and Director Rick
Weidenhammer have announced that they intend to run for re-election.
Anyone
interested in running for these positions must be an Active or Sustaining
Member of the Association and should inform a member of the Board so that
his/her name can be announced in the official meeting notice to be mailed in
January and included on the ballots for the elections.
Ads
Needed: The Newsletter is
currently seeking advertisers. Contact
Dan Vogler at (231) 389-2514. Rates:
$15/ad, maximum 35 words.
Celebrating 65 years, ZEIGLER BROS. offers a full line of high performance aquaculture
feeds: starter to growout. Call us TOLL
FREE to learn more (800-841-6800).
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The NewsLetter is the
official publication of the Michigan Aquaculture Association. For information or comments contact Dan
Vogler at (231) 389-2514, e-mail: dan@homesteadtrout.com
Your MAA Board:
President: Dan Vogler (231) 389-2514
Vice President: Jerry Kahn (517) 724-5241
Sec'ty/Treasurer: Steve Ouwinga (231)834-7720
Director: Rick Weidenhammer (231) 548-5323
Director: Russ Allen (517) 347-5537
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / RENEWAL
(Please Print and Check Appropriate Information Boxes)
NAME: _________________________________________________ SPOUSE'S NAME: ____________________________
BUSINESS NAME: _____________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY/TOWN: __________________________________________________________________________________________
STATE:___________________ ZIP:____________________
HOME PH:(____)_____-___________ BUSINESS PH:(____)_____-___________ FAX:(____)_____-___________
E-Mail:___________________________________ o Yes, I would like the e-mail
version of any newsletters and updates from the association.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RUNS FROM JANUARY 1ST THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST
Membership Options
_____ Sustaining (Voting - one vote per membership) w/National
Aquaculture Assc. Membership $100.00
____ Active (Voting - one vote per
membership) w/National Aquaculture Assc. Membership $50.00
____ Associate
(Non-voting membership) w/National Aquaculture Assc. Membership $40.00
____ Associate (Non-voting membership) w/o National Aquaculture Assc. Membership $25.00
Please make your
check payable to: Michigan Aquaculture
Association
1. Are you a (Check all that apply):
( )Producer ( )Broker (
)Fee Fishing Operation (
)Academic/Extension Personnel
( )Consultant ( )Feed/Equipment Supplier ( )Other___________________________________
2.
What Species do you work with?
______________________________________________________
3. What species do you sell?_____________________________________________________
4. What species do you grow?____________________________________________________
5. What are the top three challenges that you
see facing your operation in the future?
1)
2)
3)
(Continued on
Back)
6. What are the top three challenges that are
facing
1)
2)
3)
7. What are the top three action items that your
Association can assist you with?
1)
2)
3)
8. What can you contribute to your Association
in terms of abilities, resources, expertise, etc?
1)
2)
3)
9. Are there aquaculture producers that you
know who are not Members of the Association?
( )Yes ( )No
10. Any Comments or Suggestions:____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
For More Information: Please Phone: (231) 389-2514 or E-Mail: dan@homesteadtrout.com
Please Remit w/Dues To:
2002 Annual
Meeting Registration
You are cordially invited to attend the Michigan
Aquaculture Association's 2002 Annual Meeting, February 7and 8, 2002 at
McGuire's Resort in
This will be an exceptional opportunity for you to
meet and talk with your MAA Board, gain information on new technologies, and
network with the most active participants in the industry.
Please fill out the form below and mail it in before
(Please Print and Check Appropriate Information Boxes)
NAME: _________________________________________________ SPOUSE'S NAME: ____________________________
BUSINESS NAME: _____________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY/TOWN: __________________________________________________________________________________________
STATE:___________________ ZIP:____________________
HOME PH:(____)_____-___________ BUSINESS PH:(____)_____-___________ FAX:(____)_____-___________
E-Mail:___________________________________ o Yes, I would like the e-mail
version of any newsletters and updates from the association.
Cost per person Early
Registration Late Registration Num. Attending
Sustaining Members $25.00 $30.00 ________
Active Members $25.00 $30.00 ________
Associate Members $25.00 $30.00 ________
Non-Members $50.00 $60.00 ________
Total:$_____________
Please Remit
this form with a check for your total to:
Michigan Aquaculture Association
c/o
The MAA Business Meeting portion of the program, scheduled for
Dan Vogler
President,