NAA Develops Aqua ‘98 Producer Program

CHARLES TOWN, WV - The National Aquaculture Association has completed development of the Producer Program at Aquaculture ‘98, February 16 - 19, 1998. The program is compiled of sessions, specifically designed to meet the needs of aquaculture producers that are not covered by the technical sessions.

"Aquaculture Drug Approvals Through Producer INADs," organized by Dr. Rosalie Schnick, NADA Coordinator, is scheduled for Monday, February 16. The session will offer presentations on acquiring INADs, monitoring producer INADs, benefits and pitfalls of INAD participation from a producer’s perspective, and development of data for approval of cypermethrin to control freshwater external parasites.

Al Stokes of the South Carolina Waddell Mariculture Research Center will moderate "Aquaculture Bait Production and Marketing." The session, being held on Monday, February 16, will include an industry update and presentations on problems associated with marketing and interstate transportation of bait minnows produced in Arkansas, growout and marketing of mud minnows for bait in coastal South Carolina, hatchery produced shrimp for bait production in South Carolina, production of bait shrimp in Texas using raceways and ponds, and evaluation of bull minnow production as an alternative aquaculture species.

Prospective and experienced aquaculturists will be interested in "An Introduction and Update on Commercial Aquaculture in the United States," scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. Organized and moderated by Jack Whetstone, Clemson University Extension Service, the all-day session will include presentations on catfish, crawfish, hard clams, marine shrimp, oysters, bait minnows, trout, tilapia, salmon, and hybrid striped bass.

"Intensive Fish Production Systems: A production and Economic Review," organized by Andy Lazur, Aquaculture Extension Specialist for the University of Florida, is being held Wednesday, February 18. Topics include overview of cage and raceway culture, recirculating system technology, fundamental production economics of tilapia systems and economics of hybrid striped bass in recirculating systems.

Mike Ednoff of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute will moderate "Aquaculture Marketing: A Buyer’s Perspective," scheduled for Wednesday, February 18. Speakers include buyers and chefs from area resort hotels, the president of the Las Vegas Chefs Association, the Las Vegas Chef of the Year winner, and marketing specialist Howard Johnson.

"Media Relations and Crisis Management" is scheduled for Monday, February 18. Organized by Stanley Nelson of Aquaculture News, the offering of this session is timely what with the recent publicity on issues impacting the aquaculture industry, i.e. dioxin in fish feed, pfiesteria and seafood inspection.

Skip Kemp of North Carolina Sea Grant has organized a session on "Marketing Live Products" to be held Monday, February 16. Among the topics being addressed are marketing live finfish from fry to food fish, marketing live bait fish, and water quality considerations of shipping and holding fish.

The Producer Program is included in the conference registration fee, and the program sessions are noted as such in the conference agenda.