ITHACA, NY – The American Fisheries Society’s (AFS) Fish Health Section (FHS) held its annual meeting here in mid-July. In addition to the regular program schedule of scientific talks and the highly informative continuing education session, the meeting gave those of us in the section a chance to pay tribute to members who have gone …
Category Archive: Columns
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A closer look at in-pond raceway systems: This technology sure makes sense to me
ELLENTON, FL – As many of you know, in-pond raceway technology has been circulating around the aquaculture industry since at least the early 1980’s. The basic concept employs a lined raceway or tank to concentrate a high volume of fish in a small area. Water flow and in-tank nutrient removal through the system results in …
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The many faces of fish farming: This issue, meet Dr. Shaun Moss
by Amy Riedel-Stone WAIMANOLO, HI – For this issue, we went west – way west – to the island of Oahu to interview Dr. Shaun Moss. Shaun has been a part of Oceanic Institute for almost 30 years and I have been fortunate to work with him and some of his fellow employees over the …
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Fish Vet Group brings expertise to the field
PORTLAND, ME – The Fish Vet Group (FVG) is more than just another private fish health lab. It has a global presence encompassing diagnostic service, vaccine and pharmaceutical development, biosecurity products, and a wealth of knowledge on health, welfare, and husbandry issues. In this issue we’ll look at FVG’s Portland facility and how the personnel …
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Pentair opens new Aquaculture Center of Excellence at the Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems campus in Florida
APOPKA, FL – Mindful that fish farming has the potential to help meet an expanding population’s need for protein in a world with increasing water constraints, Pentair has recently announced the opening of its Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems’ (PAES) World Aquaculture Technology Engineering & Research Center of Excellence here. The center, which consists of 12,400 square …
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A very special visit to Mt. Lassen Trout Farm: Great operation, super people, a fun experience
PAYNES CREEK, CA – I was thinking the other day that if I were to count up all the fish farms I have visited over the past 30 years, it would almost certainly surpass the 1,000-farm mark. Lots of farms in lots of places. Big ones, small ones. Good ones, a few less good ones. …
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Nelson and Pade Aquaponics: A visit to the grand opening of their new facility at UW-SP
STEVENS POINT, WI – For those of you who regularly follow my columns here, you may recall that I did a piece on the aquaponics team of Nelson and Pade a few years back. As some of you may know, not long ago Nelson and Pade received a $677,500 economic development incentive grant from the …
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The many faces of fish farming: This issue, meet Dr. Dave Strauss
by Amy Riedel-Stone STUTTGART, AR – For this issue, I thought it would be good to showcase a government employee with whom I have had the pleasure of working on the US Aquaculture Society (USAS) board of directors. Dr. David “Dave” Straus, Phd, has had an interesting career that has allowed him to work with …
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Aquaculture research priorities in step with societal evolution
During my lengthy career as a consultant in aquaculture, I – like many of you – have witnessed a long and periodic parade of research recommendations that aim to remedy the constraints and shortcomings of aquaculture production. As is to be expected, many of these recommendations echo the recommendations of the past. Many of the …
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Will aquaculture be a casualty of The War on Science?
The National Geographic magazine calls it “The War on Science.” What is “it”? It is, among other things, a complete denial of fossil fuel-based climate change, or climate change in any form. It’s denial of evolution in favor of a world that is only 10,000 years old. It’s denial of the moon landings. And it’s …
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An interesting visit with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Corey Peet, who oversees Seafood Watch program
MONTEREY, CA – Recent travels brought my family and me to the Monterey Bay area for a few days to enjoy this unique slice of coastal California. Our hotel, as it turned out, was conveniently located immediately next door to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. So, being me, I slipped away from the hotel one morning …
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Fish Health Notes: Eastern Fish Health Workshop showcases field’s student talent
MT. PLEASANT, SC – This year’s Eastern Fish Health Workshop (EFHW), which was held here March 2-6 just across the river from Charleston, featured some of the top student talent in the aquatic animal health field. Graduate student talks ran the gamut from catfish pathogens and DNA vaccines to Sea Star Wasting Disease and the …
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The many faces of fish farming: This issue, meet Dr. Jesse Chappell
by Amy Riedel-Stone AUBURN, AL – When considering my next profile for this column, I decided it was time to head west. Little did I know I really wouldn’t have to go very far at all to find the perfect candidate for this issue. Dr. Jesse Chappell, who many of you already know, has been …
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A few quick highlights from this year’s Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference, show
MARSHFIELD, WI – Nothing makes me happier than sleeping in my own bed at night (and those of you who travel frequently know what I mean) so it was a rare treat to have this year’s annual Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference and Trade Show in a location that was driving distance from my house. This is …
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Kennebec River Biosciences continues to diversify
RICHMOND, ME – Private fish health labs are few and far between here in the US, so I’d like to profile a couple of these valuable businesses in 2015. In this issue we’ll look at Kennebec River Biosciences Inc. (KRB), a growing lab that already serves over 500 fish farmers and fisheries managers in the …
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SITE VISIT – Astor Farms: Careful planning and tight controls lead to North Carolina recirculating tilapia operation’s success
by Amy Riedel-Stone CHARLOTTE, NC – Located in an industrial park just off the Charlotte International Airport property, Astor Farms here is producing tilapia for live markets throughout the East Coast. Rob Ellis, owner and manager of the farm, has built a 12-tank recirculating aquaculture facility that pumps out approximately 400,000 pounds of fish per …
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Well-organized workshop focuses on development of marine fishfish production in North Carolina
BEAUFORT, NC –As a precursor to the prestigious BioMarine Business Convention that will convene later this year in Wilmington, NC, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the Marine Bio-Technologies Center of Innovation (MBCOI), and the NOAA Coastal Aquaculture Planning and Environmental Sustainability Program, recently organized and conducted a marine finfish culture workshop here. The mission of …
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Awesome location, terrific water flow rates make Troutlodge’s Rock Creek, ID facility a huge winner
TWIN FALLS, ID – Most everyone in this industry, and certainly anyone in the trout business, is familiar with the Troutlodge name. One of the oldest aquaculture companies in the US, Troutlodge – based in Sumner, WA – is the world’s largest producer of pathogen-free rainbow trout eggs, employing more than 100 people worldwide. There …
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From mink ranch to thriving trout farm – the long and unusual story of Silver Moon Springs
ELTON, WI – Nestled on Elton Creek, a natural trout stream in North Central Wisconsin about 60 miles northwest of my home, lies a fish farm with with quite a backstory to tell. The farm is Silver Moon Springs Trout Farm and its earliest beginnings were as part of an extensive mink farming operation. That …
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Updated drug guide can steer fish farmers away from trouble
BOZEMAN, MT – In the last issue of Fish Farming News, I focused on the Fish Health Section Blue Book, which I described as the virtual bible of the fish health world. This time, I’m going to discuss an equally important publication from the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society – the 2014 …
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Physical security at aquaculture facilities becomes a priority
Physical security at aquaculture facilities has always been an issue for our industry to one degree or another. In the past, it usually took the form of measures to exclude predatory animals, such as birds or mammals, from eating fish stocks in outdoor confinements such as ponds and raceways. And, depending on the location and …
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The many faces of fish farming: This issue, meet Norman McCowan
by Amy Riedel-Stone REDKEY, IN – If you are around this industry long enough, you’re definitely going to meet some people who leave a lasting impression — and a few who just seem destined to end up growing fish. Norman McCowan – known to many of you as the dynamic president and CEO of Bell …
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Fish Health Section Blue Book now free
PORTLAND, OR – Perhaps the most exciting news to come out of the Seventh International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health held in September in Portland was the announcement that the “Blue Book” – a virtual bible in the fish health world – is now available online in “open-access” format for free. The Blue Book is …
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Meet San Diego’s ‘aquacowboy’
Don Kent of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute forges ahead with plans for large scale, open-ocean fish farm by Clare Leschin-Hoar SAN DIEGO, CA – America is running a deep seafood deficit. We control more ocean than any nation in the world, a whopping 2.8 billion acres, yet we import 91% of the seafood we eat. …
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Excellent presentations, great location, good turnout for this year’s USTFA fall meeting, conference & show
TWIN FALLS, ID – Every few years the US Trout Farmers Association (USTFA) migrates back to Idaho for its annual meeting, conference, and trade show. And why not? This is, after all, the heart of American trout farming and, without a doubt, some of the most scenic and spectacular landscape found anywhere in the nation. …
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The many faces of fish farming: This issue, meet Amy Riedel-Stone
APOPKA, FL – If you have attended any of the major aquaculture shows or conferences here in the US over the past decade or so there’s a very good chance you’ve met (and maybe done business with) Amy Riedel-Stone. Amy’s solid no-nonsense grasp of aquaculture production and equipment, combined with her engaging personality and winning …
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AST team moving forward with new products, new research, following death of president
As reported in the last issue of Fish Farming News, Douglas Drennan, the 52-year-old founder and president of Aquaculture Systems Technologies LLC (AST), died suddenly and unexpectedly in late July. While obviously shocked and saddened, the AST family has vowed to move forward with the company’s business as, they believe, Drennan would have wanted them …
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Fish Health Notes: Birds play a role in disease transmission
ITHACA, NY – I recently was asked to review a hatchery biosecurity plan and realized I had never discussed in this column the dangers that birds pose to fish facilities. In the past, I’ve explained the value of egg disinfection protocols, HAACP planning, and removal of mortalities, to name just a few tasks related to …
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From the Field: Gollon Brothers Bait
Trip to Gollon Brothers Live Bait: Why’d it take me so long to visit this impressive operation in my backyard? STEVENS POINT, WI – No excuses. It’s only a 25-mile drive from home and I’d been thinking about it for years. But I have to confess, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I finally …
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Aquaculture Perspectives: Global aquaculture production reaches new heights
by Bill Manci New numbers released recently by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) point to unrelenting progress in the growth of aquaculture production around the world. That’s the good news. These data emerge amidst what seems to be (at least to me) an accelerating pattern of climate extremes. Drought in …
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FISH HEALTH NOTES – Biofilms have value but need watchful eye
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV – Anyone who runs a fish facility needs to deal with biofilms. So, it was especially fitting that one of the most interesting sessions at the 2014 Eastern Fish Health Workshop, held here April 28-May 2, was devoted to this important topic. Biofilms are groups of microorganisms that stick to each other and …
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SITE VISIT: A unique and impressive island in the stream- Grand opening of Florida Organic Aquaculture
by Paul Hundley “And chase hard and good and with no mistakes and do not overrun them.” –Ernest Hemingway, Islands in the Stream FELLSMERE, FL – After six years of finding investors, property, and a suitable location, officials from Florida Organic Aquaculture started construction one year ago on their facilities here to cultivate “happy, healthy …
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AQUACULTURE PERSPECTIVES: Food security is a primary goal of aquaculture
by Bill Manci As a consultant, in a real sense I am plugged into the heartbeat of the world with regard to the demand for aquaculture. Aquaculture has, of course, become (or soon will become) a primary way for many nations to secure their food supplies for the future. As most of us know, the …
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FROM THE FIELD: Producing food, fish, and lots of smiles at the Hunger Task Force farm and fish hatchery in WI
FRANKLIN, WI – Like many of you who have to spend much time hunched over a computer or behind a desk, I tend to think any day is a great day to be out on a fish farm. But I might have been rethinking that a bit this past April when I headed over to …
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Fish Health Notes – Rox Smolowitz: Shellfish doc extraordinaire
BRISTOL, RI – If you need to know something about a shellfish disease, Roxanna Smolowitz is the doctor to call. Few veterinarians focus on disease testing and treatment of aquatic animals. Even fewer specialize in shellfish. Yet Roxanna is fulfilling a large and growing need for disease screening, diagnostic services, and treatment options for these …
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Wouldn’t be spring without my annual From the Floor Report; this time Aquaculture America ’14 in Seattle
SEATTLE, WA – Whew, I don’t know about you, but it seems to me like that last year sure rolled around quick. Here it is time again for my annual “From the Floor” show round-up and I’m kind of feeling like I just wrapped up Nashville (Aquaculture 2013). In any case, another show has come …
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New numbers will likely conclude the song remains the same: More growth in aquaculture is inevitable
by Bill Manci As we gather in Seattle for Aquaculture America 2014, I patiently and eagerly await publication of the latest set of world fishery and aquaculture production statistics developed annually by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. For a consultant like me, these data are invaluable, as they provide me …
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National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center
…Where they have built a successful breeding program benefitting Maine’s rebounding salmon farming industry by Brian Robbins FRANKLIN, ME – You could spend years driving Route 1 Downeast in Maine and never know what was happening on the shores of Taunton Bay, a couple miles or so inland. If you’re looking for the turn, there’s actually …
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From the Field – Time for a few reflections on the past year, plus a look ahead at new challenges of 2014
by Bob Robinson As we all gather in Seattle in early February for the Aquaculture America 2014 conference and trade show, it seems an appropriate time to look back on the year that just was and look ahead to this year that’s just beginning. 2013 in the rearview mirror What were some of the …
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Fish Health Notes – Budget cuts threaten aquaculture drug approvals
by Rod Getchell BOZEMAN, MT – One of the most helpful government research programs dealing with the needs of fish farmers is about to take a huge budget cut. The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership (AADAP) program may lose more than half of its funding – and three valuable …
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Fish Health Notes – Can we use bacteriophages to kill fish pathogens?
by Rod Getchell ITHACA, NY – Bacteria-eating viruses have been generating some buzz lately as a growing number of headlines have pointed to them as potential tools to fight the next big war against “superbugs.” The buzz continued last month when a seminar speaker from Tufts University described her work on a strain of virus …
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From the Field – Herman Brothers Feature
by Bob Robinson Fish stocking, lake and pond management, all geared for maximum fishing fun PEORIA, IL – I think we can all agree the term “sportsman’s paradise” is grossly overused. But for any serious outdoorsperson, a visit to the Herman Brothers Lake and Land Management operation here is quite honestly, well … pretty much …
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Aquaculture Perspectives – A wild capture fisheries atrocity off the coast of Peru
by Bill Manci Another installment of “What is the world coming to?” You may have missed this, but two conservation organizations, Mundo Azul and BlueVoice, recently uncovered what I consider one of the most heinous and indefensible activities ever brought to light. Thousands of dolphins off the coast of Peru are being slaughtered and used …
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From the Field : Visiting farms, folks, facilities in the Sunshine
For this special Focus on Florida Aquaculture issue of Fish Farming News, FFN roving columnist Bob Robinson traveled to the Sunshine State to look in on several farms and facilities for this month’s From the Field report. While by no means a comprehensive review of food fish and gamefish production in the state, his overview …
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Fish Health Notes : Rocco Cipriano: respected leader, innovator
BY ROD GETCHELL KEARNEYSVILLE, WV – As I get older, I find myself getting emotional when I thank the folks I look up to and respect in this world. Many of these people resist the recognition they deserve, but I admire their selfless dedication to helping others. Rocco Cipriano is one these individuals. Cipriano trained …
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From the Field – Kasco
Sticking close to home: An inside look at Kasco Marine and the folks who work there PRESCOTT, WI – Okay, it may be a little self-serving, but I have decided to dedicate this month’s column to one of my favorite subjects. Kasco Marine and the great people who make it fun and productive to work …
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Aquaculture Perspectives – Fish naming standards
New standards for common names of fishes apply to aquaculture, all fisheries sciences Not long ago, I was casually thumbing through my April copy of Fisheries, the magazine of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), a duty I look forward to every month when it comes through the door. For me, one of the highlights is seeing …
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Fish Health Notes – Molecular methods
Molecular methods: Are they the next enforcement tools? ITHACA, NY – Scientists these days love to use the latest fancy molecular techniques to find evidence of pathogens in samples such as tank water, feces, mucus, and, of course, fish themselves. I confess I am one of those “CSI”-type guys. Now, ecologists are starting to use …
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Bob’s annual report from the WI aquaculture conference: Good turnout, super products showcased, lots of snow
FROM THE FIELD BY BOB ROBINSON PEWAUKEE, WI – Regular readers know that around this time of the year you can pretty much count on spring show reports from me. Usually one from the big national aquaculture conference and show (wherever it happens to be) and another from the Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference, which is basically …
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Nanoparticles: Next generation vaccines for farmed fish?
FISH HEALTH NOTES BY ROD GETCHELL ITHACA, NY – Until recently, I had no idea that nanoparticles could serve as vaccine and drug-delivery devices. These miniscule spheres are the subject of lectures and articles in our campus newspaper at Cornell University, and our NanoScale Science & Technology Facility focuses on their manufacture and application. We …
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Visiting Pentair AES’s aquaponics facility
APOPKA, FL – Aquaponics is just about the hottest thing going in aquaculture these days. From backyard systems for neophytes, to full scale commercial operations, aquaponics – which is simply defined as growing aquatic animals (fish) and plants together in a recirculating system – is one of the fastest growing segments of our industry. Regular …
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KAVA Farms Growing shrimp in a big way down in Texas
LOS FRESNOS, TX – “Jeepers Creepers!” I said … or words to that effect. I had a shrimp in my mouth; what I can honestly say, with my hand on a Bible and waiting for lightning to strike me dead if I’m lying, was the best-tasting shrimp I’d ever had in my life. The flavor …
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Building tanks, more at Hydro Composites
STOCKDALE, TX – “I’m in the aquaculture industry because it is ingrained in my heart and mind,” says Chris Mills, sole owner and managing member of Hydro Composites LLC (Hydro). His company, a custom fiberglass manufacturing and fabrication shop housed in a 9,000-square-foot building here on a six-acre site about 52 miles southeast of San …
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Connecting investors, fish farmers a challenge
When my office telephone rings, it can often be one of two things: Someone looking for help to solve a problem. As in, “Can you help me fix this?” or “I want to start raising fish, but don’t know how;” or … It can be someone with investment money looking to diversify into fish production. …
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Pacific oysters serving as ocean acidification sentinels
SEATTLE, WA – Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) are assisting Northwest shellfish hatchery managers with their fight against a collapse in oyster seed production. Carolyn Friedman and Steven Roberts, faculty members of the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at UW, are heading up the work. Together with their students, they are testing …
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Integrated aquaculture: The sustainable and profitable path forward to grow our industry and feed the need for more fish
by Bill Manci We are all concerned about the current status and future of our environment. I consider myself a fervent environmentalist. While I have always considered aquaculture our best alternative to capture fisheries and a way to preserve those capture fisheries, some prefer to focus on aquaculture’s negatives, and have tried to paint aquaculture …
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Cleaner wrasse can control sea lice
BY TONI ERKINHARJU Guest columnist OSLO, NORWAY – Sea lice are external parasites that feed on the skin, mucus, and blood of marine fish, causing wounds, secondary infections, and reduced growth of their hosts. In Norwegian aquaculture, an estimated 10% of the production cost of rearing Atlantic salmon is related to sea lice control. …
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A trip to the Ozarks to visit Neosho National Fish Hatchery
by Bob Robinson NEOSHO, MO — Nestled into this scenic southwest corner of Missouri in the heart of the Ozarks is a shining star. A landmark US Fish and Wildlife Service facility known as the Neosho National Fish Hatchery (NFH). This facility is the oldest continuously operating national hatchery in the entire US, providing fish …
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As US seafood trade deficit continues to rise NIMBY attitudes, regulations have to change
by Bill Manci It is not often that I invoke the name of a colleague in my column. But I am compelled to mention someone who, for the past several years, has inspired me through his relentless efforts to right a wrong. Like many of us still do, I used to think that the US …
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Fish sedative AQUI-S® 20E clears another hurdle
by Rod Getchell LA CROSSE, WI – Fish farmers and fisheries professionals who anesthetize fish are about to read some welcome news involving mandatory drug withdrawal times. Here’s the nub of it. Authorization has been granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the immediate release of all freshwater finfish sedated with AQUI-S® …
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Travels with Bob: This time, a unique visit to Aquaculture 2012 show, conference in Prague
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC — Okay, the dateline (and headline) on this column gives it away. Yes, I ventured far from Packer Land this past September to attend the Aquaculture 2012 conference and trade show here in beautiful Prague. Wow. Read the rest and much, much more in Issue 5, 2012 of Fish Farming News. …
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Keo Fish Farm: Surviving, then thriving, because they’re good at what they do
by Brian D. Robbins KEO, AR – This is a story about true grit. Not True Grit, mind you – there are no one-eyed marshals, fierce shoot-outs with gangs of ruthless outlaws, or horses, even. (Although there are a few cows – we’ll get to them later.) No, this is a story about having true …
Permanent link to this article: http://fish-news.com/ffn/keo-fish-farm-surviving-then-thriving-because-theyre-good-at-what-they-do/
Can mussels keep finfish healthier?
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell Mussels may alter salmon farm disease dynamics PLYMOUTH, MA – During the 2010 Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exposition (NACE) held Dec. 1-3 here in Plymouth, researchers from the University of Maine (UMaine) showed evidence that blue mussels filter fish pathogens like Vibrio anguillarum and sea lice from the water. …
Permanent link to this article: http://fish-news.com/ffn/can-mussels-keep-finfish-healthier/
Family business provides fish, equipment on the Canadian prairie
FROM THE FIELD by Bob Robinson EDMONTON, ALBERTA – This past fall I had the distinct pleasure of visiting a unique fish farm and fish farming family here in the Canadian western prairie province of Alberta, in an area that is more or less due north of Missoula, MT. As I stepped off the plane …
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Globalization could benefit US farmers
Aquaculture Perspectives – As the rest of the world “catches up,” US aquaculture will flourish Back in 2004, I wrote a column about outsourcing and the fact that more and more of our fish were coming from overseas. Our economy was relatively strong at the time and the high value of the US dollar meant …
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Quality people, custom fabrication keys to success for Wisconsin Flowgate and Culvert
Fish Farming Business Profile WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI – If you have a fish pond there’s a good chance you have already done business with Wisconsin Flowgate – if you haven’t yet, you probably will. This family-owned business, situated in rural central Wisconsin about an hour south of Wausau, is the industry’s go-to source for a …
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Trout season never ends at historic Pennsylvania state fish hatchery
by Stephen Sears CORRY, PA – For most folks around here, trout season began at 8 am on Apr. 16. That’s when thousands of anglers See PA FISH HATCHERY, page 28 Corry State Fish Hatchery foreman Paul Mountain displays a handsome batch of golden trout that are being raised at the facility, Pennsylvania’s oldest continuously …
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Remembering the iconic career of scientist Graham L. “Pete” Bullock
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell LEETOWN, WV – The 36th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, held March 28–April 1 in Mt. Pleasant, SC, was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Graham L. “Pete” Bullock, who passed away on Jan. 8 at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, WV after a long battle with degenerative polymyositis. …
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Jim Dartez and Reliant Water Technologies: Familiar face behind new products, new ideas
NEW ORLEANS, LA – If you mention Jim Dartez’s name in aquaculture circles the most likely response is, “Sure, Royce Instruments,” the company Dartez owned and was often the public face of from the mid- 1980s until he sold the business to ITT Industries in 2002. In fact, even after selling the business, Dartez’s involvement …
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Good samples critical for accurate diagnosis
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell ITHACA, NY – Mortalities are bound to occur at fish farms, and, when troubling situations arise, it’s tempting to collect the first mortalities you find to send out for testing. But remember this: A fish doctor needs fresh fish to provide an accurate diagnosis. Over the years, our fish …
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Finally, good news about aquaculture’s environmental impacts
Industry receives good news about its environmental impacts AQUACULTURE PERSPECTIVES by Bill Manci I received some very good news recently. This was news that really did not surprise me, frankly, but was the sort of news that provided a sense of satisfaction that I have sought for a long time. Those of us in …
Permanent link to this article: http://fish-news.com/ffn/finally-good-news-about-aquacultures-environmental-impacts/
Water gives life; use it wisely or lose it
FROM THE FIELD by Bob Robinson Let’s get serious for a moment. Have you ever stopped and really, truly given thought to just how important water is – both to our daily lives, not to mention the profession we have all chosen? I think about water daily because that is the business I am in …
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Working with the “rocket men” of APHIS on bird capture nets
Finding new ways to round up pesky birds: Working with the “rocket men” of APHIS FACES, PLACES AND GEAR by Greg Faulkner “It’s not supposed to shoot the dang thing that far. “It was never meant to throw a net that fast. Even the manufacturer doesn’t think it will work like that, but it does.” …
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High pressure makes oysters safer to eat
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell DOVER, DE – We’re all under pressure these days, but researchers at the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) at Delaware State University are taking high pressure processing (HPP) of shellfish to a new level. These specialists, along with collaborators from Virginia Tech and Emory University, …
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Romantic notion of eating wild fish must end
AQUACULTURE PERSPECTIVES by Bill Manci I read the recent article in Time magazine (July 18, 2011) by Bryan Walsh about aquaculture and its relationship to human nutrition and wild fish populations. Aquaculture was, AGAIN, inaccurately painted in an awkward light – as sort of a necessary evil. The author waxed poetic about people setting out …
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SITE VISIT: Bell Aquaculture: From tiny perch a mighty business grows
by Brian Robbins REDKEY, IN – First, an admission. Believe me, where I come from in Downeast Maine, we have our share of fish fries. Some folks live, breathe, and die (literally) for the “Friday Nite AYCE” specials at the local diner. That would be “All You Can Eat,” of course – a weekly ritual …
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Dragging me along into social media as I concede to modern times
FROM THE FIELD by Bob Robinson Like many of you, I can remember as if it was yesterday the need when traveling to stop frequently at a roadside phone booth and check ahead before my next farm visit, call home, or see about messages at the office. I sometimes felt like Superman considering how often …
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Tough wire, for the toughest conditions: Meet Jim Knott Sr. and Riverdale Mills
NORTHBRIDGE, MA – In New England, where Fish Farming News is based, Riverdale Mills is known first and foremost as the leading supplier of PVCcoated wire used to build lobster traps for the commercial fishing industry. It is a key component of the company’s business. Founded in 1979 by James M. Knott Sr., who continues …
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Zebrafish may hold key to future of fish health
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell ITHACA, NY – The greatest advances in fish health may come from one of the smallest cultured fishes, the zebrafish. The new white rats of biomedical research, zebrafish have become the model organism in hundreds of laboratories. For each of the last six years, over 1,000 scientific papers have …
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Non-lethal samples may work for disease testing
FISH HEALTH NEWS by Rod Getchell SEATTLE, WA – Last summer, my message to fish farmers was focused on sample quality. This time, it’s about non-lethal testing of farmed fish. Why? Because taking a biopsy without having to sacrifice an animal is a great option – if you can get accurate diagnostic results. Those of …
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Want to grow fish in Virginia? Inside VSU’s Randolph Farm aquaculture facility
PETERSBURG, VA – Tucked along the edge of the Virginia State University (VSU) campus here is the impressive VSU Randolph Farm aquaculture facility. Randolph Farm, for those who may not be familiar with it, is a “416-acre agricultural learning center … utilized for research and education in areas of new and niche crops, alternative cropping …
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Behind the scenes at Air-O-Lator
KANSAS CITY, MO – A fixture on fish farms and at industry trade shows for some 40 years, Air-O-Lator Corporation is a leading manufacturer of water and wastewater equipment for aquaculture and other applications. Fish farmers may be most familiar with the company’s line of floating aerators, floating and non-floating fountains, or mixers and aspirating …
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Off-flavor detectives making steady progress
FISH HEALTH NOTES BY ROD GETCHELL ITHACA, NY – I’ve seen a number of scientific articles recently about off-flavor problems in fish. What surprised me most was the location of the authors – Quebec, Israel, and China – and the progress being made towards solving one of aquaculture’s most troublesome problems. Off-flavor issues clearly have …
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SPECIAL FOCUS – A collection of the best of Bob Robinson’s From the Field columns
Visiting Iowa’s North Star Fish Hatchery, three generations of pond stocking success From the Field by Bob Robinson MONTOUR, IA – Folks around here like to say Arlo Hinegardner was a little ahead of his time. Back in 1939, as much of the country was still feeling the effects of the Great Depression, Arlo had …
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Moving live fish is risky business
FISH HEALTH NOTES BY ROD GETCHELL ITHACA, NY – Bringing live fish onto your fish farm is risky business. Probably the biggest risk factor is that live fish can carry unwanted pathogens, and these pathogens can lead to trouble if they take hold within your facility. This disease-transmission problem is well documented. Fish health pros …
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Globalization a boon to US industry?
AQUACULTURE PERSPECTIVES BY BILL MANCI Predictions do come true, aquaculture can come to the rescue Just about a year ago, I wrote a column about US aquaculture’s current state of affairs. The nation was running a huge trade deficit in seafood, and we still do. But some important shifts have occurred over the past twelve …
Permanent link to this article: http://fish-news.com/ffn/globalization-a-boon-to-us-industry/
Sturgeon, Asian carp, walleyes, and more at this year’s Coolwater Fish Culture Workshop
FROM THE FIELD BY BOB ROBINSON STEVENS POINT, WI – On a good day, I can make it from my house to the Holiday Inn here in less than 30 minutes. But this is Wisconsin, so I can’t say I was surprised when the 26-mile drive took me the best part of an hour in …
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Separate out runts to reduce disease risk
FISH HEALTH NOTES BY ROD GETCHELL The phenomenon of runts as disease carriers has not received a lot of research attention, but weighing the pros and cons of keeping them around is something fish farmers should think about. ITHACA, NY – One of the first things I learned about fish health inspections was the importance …
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Wild fish face an uncertain future; worsening pollution by plastics may be the only certainty
AQUACULTURE PERSPECTIVES BY BILL MANCI I watched with great interest as David Pogue, a frequent contributor to CBS’s Sunday Morning program, presented a story recently about plastics in the oceans – specifically the Pacific Ocean and an area called the North Pacific Gyre which stretches from Asia to North America. Actually, there are five similar …
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From the Field – Thoughts from the floor at AA2012 in Vegas
by Bob Robinson LAS VEGAS, NV – The theme for this year’s Aquaculture America Conference and Trade Show was “Bringing All Players To The Table.” Appropriate, since Las Vegas’s popular Paris hotel and casino complex was the headquarters for the annual gathering. Someone once told me that the aquaculture industry almost always has a good …
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Carbon dioxide contributes to cod cataracts
FISH HEALTH NOTES BY ROD GETCHELL LAKE PLACID, NY – Atlantic cod cataracts focused my attention during the most recent Eastern Fish Health Workshop held here the week of April 23. After viewing more than 100 presentations, I am not joking about the focusing remark. Kevin Neves, one of many University of Maine researchers at …
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From the Field – Visiting the Hales at Boatcycle, Inc. in TX
In East Texas, visiting the Hales at Boatcycle Inc., providers of aerators, supplies, tilapia, and more From the Field by Bob Robinson HENDERSON, TX – During a recent visit to Texas I took a little side trip over to East Texas to visit my friends Ken and Kirk Hale at their unique business, Boatcycle Inc. …
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Growers Supply does structures, systems, more Providing structures, systems, training for aquaculture, hydroponics, and much more
DYERSVILLE, IA – Like many, if not most, suppliers serving the US aquaculture industry, the founders of Growers Supply came from non-fish farming backgrounds when they launched their company back in the early 1980s. Barry Goldsher was born and raised on a farm where he tended to poultry, beef, hogs, fruits, and vegetables. He has …
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Egg disinfection may keep viruses at bay
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell MADISON, WI – Keeping fish viruses such as Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) and Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC) out of your hatchery takes a complete biosecurity plan. With the appearance of both of these viruses in wild fish in Wisconsin in 2007, the state has taken the lead in …
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HACCP planning keeps fish farms secure
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell WEST HENRIETTA, NY – Sea Grant and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have been conducting Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) workshops directed at the baitfish and aquaculture industries for a number of years. Their aim is to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra …
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Advances in disease testing raise concerns
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell ATLANTIC BEACH, NC – The subject of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing vs. traditional methods of detecting fish pathogens always leads to a lively discussion among fish health professionals. The arguments often revolve around the good aspects of PCR testing, like rapid results and high levels of sensitivity, vs. …
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Yanong is Florida aquaculture’s “Mega-Man”
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell ATLANTIC BEACH, NC – Every fish farmer has a fish doctor they think of as their superhero. At the most recent Eastern Fish Health Workshop held here in Atlantic Beach, there were several top fish health specialists in attendance. I want to focus on a fish veterinarian from Florida, …
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“Bring out your dead” – how to handle morts
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell ITHACA, NY – “Bring out your dead” is a famous movie quote that gets at the gist of this column. What the Monty Python folks asserted as humor – the need for quick removal of dead bodies during the plague of the Middle Ages – actually is a sound …
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Natural feed supplements need more study
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell ITHACA, NY – Having been bombarded with advertisements touting the health benefits of herbal supplements for people and even our pets, I am somewhat of a skeptic when it comes to claims of this nature. However, two recent articles in the November issue of the Journal of Fish Diseases …
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Gas supersaturation gives fish bubble disease
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell ITHACA, NY – Have you ever noticed that a cold glass of water will get tiny bubbles on the inside surface as it warms up? Bubbles form because dissolved gas – primarily nitrogen and oxygen – in the water comes out of solution and coalesces on the irregular surface …
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Healthy aquaponics is a balancing act between fish and plants
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell ITHACA, NY – While I was preparing a lecture for Dr. Mike Timmons’ recirculation aquaculture class this spring, an article appeared in the New York Times describing the delights of starting an aquaponics system in your backyard. Half hydroponics, half recirculation aquaculture, aquaponics combines gardening and fish rearing. I …
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Mussels may alter salmon farm disease dynamics
FISH HEALTH NOTES by Rod Getchell PLYMOUTH, MA – During the 2010 Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exposition (NACE) held Dec. 1-3 here in Plymouth, researchers from the University of Maine (UMaine) showed evidence that blue mussels filter fish pathogens like Vibrio anguillarum and sea lice from the water. The work involved integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), …
Permanent link to this article: http://fish-news.com/ffn/mussels-may-alter-salmon-farm-disease-dynamics/