PULLMAN, Wash. — A three-day shortcourse on aquaculture techniques and opportunities will be held here July 27-29, at Washington State University.
“Due to a rising awareness of the health benefits of seafood and the increasing demands on protein worldwide, aquaculture has become the fastest growing agricultural sector and a top priority for U.S. agriculture,” said Jim Durfey, an instructor in WSU’s biological systems engineering department.
Recent technological developments, such as water recirculating technologies, minimize the use of land and water resources and improve the economics of aquaculture, he said.
“Developing a finfish aquaculture industry in the Pacific Northwest will help diversify the food system, reduce harvesting pressures on wild populations and enhance conservation fisheries in the region,” Durfey said.
The workshop will cover such topics as
- Opportunities and culture systems
- Nutrition, feed and feeding systems
- Genetics and breeding
- Disease
- Systems management
- Water quality and effluent management
- Marketing products
- Seafood safety and processing
- Overview of shellfish cultures in the Pacific Northwest
- Fish cultures and tribal interests
- Case studies
- Facility tours.
Registration is free for those who register by July 23. On-site registration will cost $50. Contact Joan Million at (509) 335-2910.
The short course is sponsored by WSU, the Kellogg Foundation, the Unviersity of Idaho and the Northwest Indian College. Information is available from Shulin Chen, WSU, (509) 335-3743 or Ernie Brannon (208) 885-5830.
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