October 2007

AFS Fish Culture Section

Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Inside this issue: •

AA 2008 Announcement...2

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FCS Annual Meeting Minutes..............3

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APHIS Funding Information...6, 15

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FDA Seafood Reviews..............8

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Fish Meal Alternatives.11, 16

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FAO Milestone..........13

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FCS Committee Information.......18

BY

CURRY WOODS

As Mike Barnes figuratively handed During the me the gavel (the actual gavel was in a past two cardboard box somewhere between years, we Spearfish, SD and San Francisco, CA), have been a and with it the Presidency of the Fish positive Culture Section at our annual meeting presence in last month, I had a real sense of this regard at our annual and mid-ear CONFIDENCE in our Section’s meeting venues with over 20 symposia future. Serving under Mike and on and or sessions organized and chaired behalf of you, the Section members by our members! We have held over the past two years as Presidenttechnology workshops at regional Elect and Chair of the Program AFS meetings across the nation and Committee has been very rewarding. sponsored this year a continuing My personal sense of CONFIDENCE education workshop that actually stems from the pride I have in our made money for the Section! organization, knowing how we began, seeing how we have persevered We are currently cooperating and through a couple of tough decades, collaborating at an all time high with and most importantly- recognizing other associations, both within and where we are today. outside of AFS to Members, as you promote and My personal sense of read this column, let “advance the science CONFIDENCE stems from there be no doubt – and technology of the pride I have in our we are back! fish culture”. We organization... are actively engaged We as an with the Education, organization, through you the Genetics, History, Management and members, are actively and significantly Physiology Sections of AFS to develop involved in the primary objective of special sessions that address issues of the Fish Culture Section: “to maintain mutual concern for future meetings. an association of individuals We have appointed members to serve interested in advancing the science as Liaison to the U.S. Aquaculture and technology of fish culture by Society. Cooperation between our two conducting and promoting scientific organizations is positive and growing (Continued on page 2) research, workshops, and projects”.

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President’s Message (continued) as evidenced by: · Our Section’s approval of a travel award for a FCS student to attend a USAS annual meeting.

Recruit old members to come back and assure them that they will be made welcome.

· The creation of a Special Session on the ‘Role of Hatcheries in Stock Enhancement and Conservation of Endangered Species’, co-organized by the USAS and the AFS Fish Culture Section to be held at the next USAS annual meeting: Aquaculture America ’08- this session is intended to be the first in a series of collaborative efforts by the two professional organizations to enhance the visibility and role of utilizing cultured aquatic animals in natural resource management. · Our Section’s collaborative activities with the USAS on a significant aquaculture initiative: the “National Assessment of Aquaculture Trends in Academia”. My goals for the Fish Culture Section during my Presidency are simple. I want to empower those members interested in advancing the science and technology of fish culture and encourage those who

may still doubt to join in our growing number of efforts with CONFIDENCE. I would ask you, the Fish Culture Section members, to recruit for the fastest growing Section of AFS (that’s right… this straight from AFS Executive Director Gus Rassam at the most recent Governing Board Meeting that I attended as your new President). Recruit old members to come back and assure them that they will be made welcome. Recruit your students to join and promise them the opportunity to experience active professional service as well as those important additional lines on their curriculum vitae, and please continue to engage with the many other fine folks working hard to promote fish culture and the Fish Culture Section. Finally, I hope you will do so as I do, with a growing sense of pride and with CONFIDENCE!

I want to empower those members interested in advancing the science and technology of fish culture...

A Q UAC U LT U R E A M E R I C A 2 0 0 8 S P E C I A L S E S S I O N A N N O U N C E M E N T :

THERAPUTIC DRUG RESEARCH Co-Chairs: Jim Bowker, Mark Gaikowski and Dave Straus

This Special Session is a forum to exchange scientific information related to research on therapeutic drugs for use in aquaculture and fisheries. We always encourage discussion of information that may interest others between or after presentations, outside of the meeting room, etc. As in the past, we will also have a meeting of the National Aquaculture Drug Research Forum after our session to discuss efforts being made on each technical project team and other activities.

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Fish Culture Section Business Meeting Minutes, San Francisco, CA, 9-2-07 1. Call to order by Mike Barnes (MB), establishment of quorum by Curry Woods (CW). Jesse Trushenski (JT) served as Secretary for Carl Kittel, who could not attend. a. Attendees i. Mike Barnes, Curry Woods, Vince Mudrak, Heidi Lewis, Chris Kohler, Sue Kohler, Mary Nickum, John Nickum, Jerry Ludwig, Chris Green, Steve Lochmann, Scott Stuewe, Don Brader, Carl Burger, Robin Schrock Brett Timmons, Christine Moffitt, M. Igelman, Fukutaro Hiraki, Alex Godinez, Michael Trask, John Cassinelli, Roger Rulifson, Tom Flagg, Des Maynard, Jesse Trushenski 2. 3.

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Introductions—MB a. MB introduced officers and recognized past Presidents in attendance Approval of minutes—MB a. MB requested approval of the past meeting’s minutes as published in the FCS newsletter—Minutes approved as published. Treasurer’s Report—MB for Andy Gray a. Report covering January through June 2007 was distributed. b. MB noted income for continuing education from corporate sponsors, which was a first for the Section. Committee Reports a. Hall of Fame—MB for Steve Brimm (SB) i. Report covering activities over the past year was distributed. 1. No inductions in 2007, however, two inductions (John Nickum and Harry Dupree) planned for 2008. 2. Income from brick sales indicates the endowment established for the HOF will not need to be utilized to support HOF operations for ~3 years. ii. MB indicated SB is considering retirement and the Section needs to begin planning for identifying SB’s successor in managing HOF operations and chairing the HOF Committee. iii. Chris Kohler (CK) brought up the question of providing travel/lodging support for inductees for the induction ceremonies. 1. Vince Mudrak (VM) stated his belief that at least part of the travel cost is supported for the inductees and one guest 2. MB will confirm this and follow-up with CK and VM. b. Hall of Fame Display—MB for Randi Smith i. Work is ongoing to develop new brochures, etc. c. Newsletter—Jesse Trushenski (JT) i. JT indicated that Heidi Lewis (HL) is taking over as newsletter editor, effective with the publication of the next issue in October. d. Membership—CW and MB i. Mike currently acting as membership committee chair. ii. Currently, we are at 450 members—still aiming to get to the goal of 500. iii. Two lists being maintained (official and list including associate members)—total including associate members is ~530. e. Program—CW i. Triennial meeting, AQUA 2007 (San Antonio) . 16 sessions sponsored by FCS—unprecedented level of involvement ii. AFS 2007 (San Francisco) . Alternative Disease Management Strategies iii. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference (Continued on page 4)

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1. 1st FCS-sponsored session to be held at the conference iv. Aquaculture America 2008 (Orlando) 1. Co-organized a symposium with USAS on hatchery management v. Aquaculture American 2009 (Seattle) 1. Kahrs/sturgeon culture session in preparatory stages vi. Fish Biology Congress 2008 (Portland) 1. JT working with AFS Physiology Section to put together a symposium on growth and metabolism Best student abstract travel award winners with vii. Interest expressed by the AFS Genetics and Immediate Past President Mike Barnes History Sections to work with FCS to put together (pictured left to right: Chris Green, Mike Barjoint symposia for AFS 2008. nes, John Cassinelli, and Heidi Lewis f. Continuing Education Committee Section—MB for Mike Frinsko (MF) and Jeff Heindel (JH) i. Unprecedented number of CE activities, with courses at 2007 Triennial and various regional venues ii. Genetics Section expressed interest in putting together a joint CE course on breeding programs for conservation hatcheries g. Student Committee—HL i. HL commented on the increased student presence at business meetings and within the Section in general. ii. T-shirt design competition was extended to a new deadline (December 1st) to garner additional design entries. iii. Quiz Bowl to be held at Aquaculture America 2008, sponsored using student committee seed money appropriated during last business meeting. 1. Chris Green (CG) added that questions for the quiz bowl are currently being solicited. iv. Steve Lochmann announced winners of the best student abstract travel awards. 1. Three travel awards of $250 each, given to John Cassinelli, CG and HL 2. Largest number of award applications to date. Unfinished Business—MB a. Section brochures and display i. Still in progress, need additional pictures b. Procedural manual i. Still in the works, but need additional assistance to get project up and running c. USAS collaboration i. Max Mayeaux has been appointed to replace CW as FCS Liaison to USAS d. Budget i. Proposed budget for 2008 was distributed 1. New line item for Continuing Education 2. Includes travel funding for President and President-Elect for Aquaculture America 2008, AFS 2008, and Fish Biology Congress 2008 ii. Changes made to budget during meeting Travel funding for officers eliminated for Aquaculture 2008. Student Committee to receive $500 1. CK moved to donate $500 to the Education Section’s Skinner Award Challenge, SL seconded, motion passed. e. Awards i. Plaques for recognition of service were presented to out-going chairs/officers/etc. 1. Cortney Ohs, Webmaster 2. JT, Newsletter Editor 3. CW, President-Elect (Continued on page 5)

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4. JH, Continuing Education Chair 5. MB, President Installation of Officers a. CW—President, JT—President-Elect, Carl Kittel—Secretary/Treasurer b. MB turned meeting over to CW New Business—CW a. NAJA monetary awards for best paper i. Society commitment to fund monetary awards for 5 years has now elapsed. ii. CK moved the Section should continue to fund the awards $500 per year in perpetuity, Sue Kohler (SK) seconded 1. John Nickum (JN) moved to refer the matter to the Executive Committee, Christine Moffitt (CM) seconded, motion failed 2. Original motion passed b. Other items i. SL requested feedback from the Section regarding the criteria for student travel award applications, specifically whether the student must be giving a presentation in order to apply 1. SK indicated this was the case when she was in charge of reviewing applications 2. SL moves that the official criteria for applications be: · the student must be a Section member · must attend the annual meeting · must give a presentation 3. SK seconded, motion passed ii. CG moved to reduce the fee for student membership in the Section to $0, MB seconded, motion failed iii. JN announced the 2010 Triennial meeting will be in San Diego, CA. iv. CM moved to adjourn, SK seconded, meeting adjourned

Aquaculture gets share of $1.3 million marketing grants Source: www.thefishsite.com August 6, 2007

US - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has awarded over $1.3 million in 26 matching grants to 21 states supporting agricultural market research and demonstration projects - including two consumerrelated studies on farmed fish and seafood. The grants, provided under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program, explore new and innovative approaches to marketing US food and agricultural products and help improve the efficiency and performance of the marketing system. Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has been awarded $72,000 to fund projects to identify consumer attitudes and preferences for seafood and aquaculture products in people aged 55 and more. It will also develop a marketing campaign based on the findings. The work will be done in cooperation with the University of Florida, the South Eastern Fisheries Association, and the Florida Aquaculture Association.

In Mississippi, the Department of Agriculture and Commerce and Mississippi State University has been given a $55,875 grant to fund investigations inot the market for farm-raised freshwater prawn. The money will be used to set up consumer and chef focus groups in three target cities. "These 26 projects reflect the new realities of today's increasingly competitive global marketplace," said Mr Johanns. "They are focused on developing innovative, more efficient and market-oriented ways to benefit our agricultural sector and support our nation's growing economy in the 21st century."

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APHIS Makes Funding Available for Activities Related to the Control of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Source: www.aquanic.org, October 24, 2007

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is making $1.5 million in contingency funds available for activities related to the control of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). Such control activities include confirmatory testing, surveillance and compliance, and education and outreach efforts. These activities will help to prevent the spread of VHS into aquaculture facilities. VHS is a destructive pathogen that causes internal hemorrhaging and death in a wide range of fish species. Dead and diseased wild fish have been reported in the St. Lawrence River and in Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario and Lake St. Clair. Outbreaks of VHS have also been reported in inland lakes in Michigan, New York and Wisconsin. The disease does not pose a risk to people, but it has been found to affect many different species of fish, including several commercially farm-raised species in the United States previously not known to be susceptible to the disease. The contingency funding that APHIS is providing will be used for surveillance and compliance activities and other VHS-related efforts. These include: laboratory upgrades to USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories to support confirmatory testing; and an educational campaign that promotes biosecurity efforts and addresses human-related activities which though not easily regulated- could spread the disease. Surveillance activities will be risk-based and focus on states in the Great Lakes watershed and those states in surrounding watersheds. APHIS will develop

For more information contact: P. Gary Egrie (301) 734-0695 or [email protected]

cooperative agreements with state departments of natural resources, state departments of agriculture, tribal agencies and other appropriate agencies for surveillance and compliance efforts. Surveillance data collected in the coming months will give APHIS more information on VHS to better target future surveillance and regulatory actions. On Oct. 24, 2006, APHIS issued a Federal Order to immediately prohibit the importation of 37 susceptible species of live fish into the United States from Ontario and Quebec, Canada-the two provinces that have reported VHS outbreaks. The order also prohibited the interstate movement of the same fish species from eight states in the United States (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin) that have reported incidences of VHS in wild fish or that are at immediate risk of acquiring the disease because they share watershed areas with states in which the disease has been detected. APHIS amended the order on Nov. 14, 2006, to allow for movement and importation of susceptible fish species under conditions that mitigate the risk of spreading VHS; and on May 4, 2007, to allow for catch-and-release fishing activities. Restrictions under the Federal Order will continue until APHIS publishes an interim rule establishing appropriate VHS-related fish importation and interstate movement criteria. For additional information, please contact P. Gary Egrie by telephone at (301) 734-0695 or by e-mail at [email protected]

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EPA Announces Agricultural Advisory Committee SOURCE: WWW.AQUANIC.ORG, OCTOBER 24, 2007 Continuing efforts to strengthen relations with the agriculture community, EPA has announced the establishment of the first-ever Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee. The committee is being formed under the guidelines of the National Strategy for Agriculture, and it will advise the administrator on environmental policy issues impacting farms, ranches and rural communities and operate under the rules of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). "We at EPA appreciate that agriculture isn't just the producer of the food, agriculture is the producer of environmental and economic solutions," said Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "This committee provides an opportunity to improve dialogue between EPA and the farming community. By sitting down at the same table, together we can do what's good for agriculture and good for our environment." The committee will meet approximately twice yearly and is intended to consist of approximately 25 members representing: (1) large and small farmers, ranchers and rural communities; (2) rural suppliers, marketers and processors; (3) academics and researchers who study environmental issues impacting agriculture; (4) tribal agricultural groups; and (5) environmental and conservation groups. EPA's request for member nominations will be posted in the Federal Register. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and other federal agencies will also be invited to nominate members. Initially, EPA will ask the committee to focus on the following three issues: -- How EPA's policies and regulations on climate change and renewable energy will affect the agriculture community.

The agricultural industry -- through the development of renewable energy sources -- can play a significant role in the nation's ability to reduce its dependence on oil imports, as well as be a source and repository of greenhouse gas emissions. --An environmental strategy for livestock operations that considers regulatory and voluntary approaches and provides tools for producers to attain superior environmental performance. --Development of a constructive approach to advancing sustainable agriculture and protection of the environment, addressing communication between environmental and agricultural interests and urban encroachment in rural areas. In other agency actions, this past summer under the National Agriculture Strategy, Administrator Johnson presided over EPA's first-ever face-to-face dialogue with leaders of the agriculture industry. The agency also announced a new Web site containing an easy and succinct look-up tool listing federal environmental regulations that could potentially apply to agriculture. EPA's Agriculture Strategy: http://epa.gov/agriculture/agstrategy.html Agriculture regulatory Web site: http://epa.gov/agriculture/llaw.html More information about the Federal Advisory Committee Act: http://epa.gov/ocem/faca/index.html

USFWS Lists Black Carp as Injurious Wildlife Source: www.aquanic.org, October 24, 2007 The final rule adding all forms of live black carp to the list of injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act published in the Federal Register today,October 18, 2007. The final rule will become effective November 19, 2007. SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) adds all forms of live black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids to the list of injurious fish under the Lacey Act. By this action, the Service prohibits the importation into or transportation between the continental United States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States of live black carp, gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids. The best available information indicates that this action is necessary to protect the interests of wildlife and wildlife resources from the purposeful or ac-

cidental introduction and subsequent establishment of black carp in the ecosystems of the United States. Live black carp, gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids can be imported only by permit for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes, or without a permit by Federal agencies solely for their own use. Interstate transportation of live black carp, gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids currently held within the United States will be allowed only by permit. Interstate transportation permits may be issued for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes.

http://www.aquanic.org/news/2007/blackcarpfinalrule.pdf for official rule

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Smith Named USDA-APHIS Administrator Source: www.aquanic.org, October 24, 2007 Bruce Knight, undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), today announced the appointment of Cindy J. Smith as administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). "With 28 years in the Agency, Cindy Smith has learned APHIS from the ground-up, and her diverse experience is an asset to APHIS and USDA," Knight said. "I look forward to working with Cindy in this new capacity." As administrator, Smith will further APHIS' mission of protecting American agriculture and ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. Smith replaces Dr. Ron DeHaven, who retired on August 3, after 28 years with APHIS. DeHaven served as administrator since 2004. Smith began her career with APHIS in 1979 and has advanced through the ranks, holding clerical, technical, administrative, supervisory and executive leadership positions in the Agency. Throughout her years, Smith has gained diverse experience in a broad range of APHIS programs, including plant protection and quarantine, wildlife services (WS), biotechnology regulatory services (BRS) and the former biotechnology, biologics and environmental

protection unit. Smith has been serving as acting administrator since August 3, and as APHIS' associate administrator since April. Before that, beginning in 2002, she served as deputy administrator for BRS and played a major role in shaping the agency's biotechnology regulatory structure, establishing more rigorous requirements for field tests of genetically engineered crops and initiating efforts to review and strengthen the agency's overarching biotechnology regulations. From 2001 to 2002, Smith was the associate deputy administrator for WS, which provides federal leadership and expertise in resolving conflicts caused by wildlife. In 1983, Smith completed her bachelor of science degree in microbiology from the University of Maryland. She went on to earn her master of science degree in business management from the University of Maryland in 2000. A native Marylander, Smith resides with her husband in Woodstock, Md., close to her family that includes six children and three grandchildren.

FDA reviewing Chinese seafood imports Source: www.eenews.net October 10, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration will check to see whether seafood shipments from China on an agency watch list were properly tested for banned drugs and chemicals, the agency said Wednesday. The announcement came one day after the Associated Press reported that 28 shipments of frozen shimp, catfish and eel arrived under an FDA "import alert," but were never sent to a lab. The FDA said it believes the 1 million pounds of fish did not escape screening and would not have posed an immediate public health risk anyway. The AP investigation reviewed 4,300 seafood shipments from China between October 2006 and May 2007 while the FDA was monitoring certain companies, which led to an announcement in June that all farm-raised shrimp, catfish and eel needed checking.

Under scrutiny by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the agency said funding for screening has not kept pace with surging imports, and that its 450 inspectors were stretched too thin to guarantee food safety (Justin Pritchard, AP/Wilmington [Del.] News Journal, Aug. 9). Last week, several southern states announced that they found traces of banned drugs and chemicals in Chinese, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese seafood shipments that cleared inspections and were on their way to supermarket shelves (Greenwire, Aug. 3). Meanwhile, the FDA's Chinese equivalent said Wednesday that it would begin meeting on a regular basis with its U.S. counterpart and will invest $1.1 billion in a multiyear campaign to crack down on counterfeit drugs and better food inspection practices. (Continued on page 9)

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Yan Jiangying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration, said the country approved funding to build new safety testing labs in 2005, but waited until construction was underway to announce the initiative. The money will also be used to upgrade inspection facilities at 16 ports and improve basic infrastructure. "The foundation is weak and infrastructure and technology still lag behind," Yan said. "There are

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problems in this area but I think the safety level is gradually improving." Concerns about the safety of other Chinese products such as toothpaste and dog food have led several countries to ban or recall the goods. China said yesterday that it temporarily banned exports by two toy manufacturers hit by massive recalls in the United States (Audra Ang, AP/Houston Chronicle, Aug. 8). - LBD

Feds decline to alter fish consumption standards for women Source: www.eenews.net October 16, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration and U.S. EPA announced yesterday that they will not alter their recommendations that pregnant and breast-feeding women eat no more than 12 ounces of fish weekly. Last week, a health advocacy group called the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition said that women should eat more fish despite the health risks posed by the ingestion of methyl mercury that precipitated the government's recommendations. National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition executive director Judy Meehan said that the National Fisheries Institute gave her group $60,000 to help publicize the position that women should eat more than 12 ounces of fish weekly. The National Fisheries Institute also gave $16,000 to more than 14 independent experts to help push the point of view, she added. Despite the funding from the industry group, the integrity of the recommendations is not compromised, Meehan said. "Our position is that fish is critical for brain development. There's a lot of science supporting that," she said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Health Resources and Services Administration all said they collaborated in the past with the coalition but did not endorse or help formulate the group's new fish consumption advice (Will Dunham, Reuters, Oct. 15). Women should limit consumption of some kinds of

fish, Alaska says Women of childbearing age and small children should be careful about how much and how often they eat certain kinds of fish, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced yesterday. Previously, state health officials said that all Alaskans could eat an unlimited amount of fish from state waters without the risk of overexposing themselves to methyl mercury. Although they say Alaska seafood is generally safe to eat on a daily basis, women and children should limit their consumption of large halibut, shark, large lingcod, yelloweye rockfish and spiny dogfish due to their mercury levels. The state changed its position on fish consumption because new information emerged this year about mercury levels in species that were not tested before and in larger specimens of previously tested species, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said in a health bulletin (Elizabeth Bluemink, Anchorage Daily News, Oct. 16). -- RJD

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Indiana Soybean Alliance Names Aquaculture Director Source: www.thefishsite.com October 24, 2007

The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) has named Steven Hart of Lebanon, IN. as the organization’s new Aquaculture Director. In August, the ISA board of directors created an Aquaculture Initiative as a part of the ISA’s Strategic Plan. The new program focuses on increasing the use of soybean meal in Indiana farm-raised fish diets through the growth of the state’s aquaculture industry. “Raising awareness among farmers that aquaculture is a viable form of agriculture in Indiana is one of my top priorities,” said Hart, who joined ISA in October. “I look forward to working with farmers, feed manufacturers, food processors, government representatives and other key stakeholders to make Indiana a national leader in supplying our country’s demand for fresh seafood.” Currently, research and feeding trials have shown that soy protein can partially or, in some cases, totally replace fish meal in more than 50 fish species - many that can be raised in Indiana. Hart plans to work towards the development of soy-based feeds that can be used by Indiana fish farmers. “The combination of new producers and soy-based feeds should open new markets for Indiana soybeans within the state,” he said. “The long-term goal of this initiative is to create a demand for Indiana-branded, soy-fed fish.” ISA Executive Director Chris Novak noted that the aquaculture initiative and Hart’s addition to the staff reflect Indiana’s commitment to building new markets for soybean producers. “Aquaculture represents a major new market for soybean meal, but to grow this industry requires a long-term commitment to connecting aquaculture production, processing and marketing,” said Novak. “The majority of seafood consumed in the U.S. today comes from imported sources. Our goal with this program is to make Indiana-fresh aquaculture the premier choice for U.S. consumers. We’re excited to have Steve on-board leading this effort.” Hart has worked in the aquatic science/aquaculture field since 1996. Most recently, he was the Soy-inAquaculture Project Coordinator at Purdue University. Hart earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Michigan State University and his Doctorate degree from Purdue University.

According to ISA director Mike Yoder, the aquaculture initiative represents the ISA’s continuing search for new and innovative uses for the soybean. “We were early investors and supporters of soy biodiesel - a product that showed great potential as a new use for soybeans and offered a more environmentally-friendly alternative for improving air quality than petroleum,” said Yoder, a farmer from Middlebury, Ind. and chairman of ISA’s Supply Committee. “Aquaculture shows similar promises of not only developing into a significant new use for soybeans, but also helping to meet the needs for an expanding market demand for fish and other seafood items.” The groundwork for the aquaculture initiative was started earlier this year with the development of a strategic plan for growing the state’s aquaculture industry. The strategic plan looked at the current environment for aquaculture in the state, as well as the potentials for the industry and the barriers it faces. “My initial activities will be geared towards creating awareness of the aquaculture initiative and generating excitement and participation from a variety of individuals and organizations,” said Hart. “One of the first major tasks is the formation of an Indiana Aquaculture Advisory Council.” According to Hart, the purpose of the council will be to assist in the implementation of the aquaculture strategic plan by assigning key activities to the appropriate individuals or groups. Council members will include fish farmers, extension educators, researchers, feed manufacturers, and government agency representatives, among others. Once the council is set, Hart’s next project is a series of educational workshops around the state that will convey information on a variety of aquaculture production and business-related topics. The meetings will be open to current fish farmers and anyone interested in learning what it takes to run an aquaculture operation. The meetings will take place in early 2008.

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Ethanol Co-Products Could Lower Cost of Freshwater Fish Production Source: www.thefishsite.com October 23, 2007

The investigations show that ethanol co-products can provide protein for fish feeds at a lower cost than the soybean-corn combinations commonly used. The recent proliferation of ethanol processing facilities has led to a surplus of distiller's dried grains with solubles, or DDGS—a nutrient-rich processing coproduct that is often used to feed livestock. DDGS is relatively protein-rich and lacks some of the undesirable characteristics that make many plant protein sources less suitable for use in fish feeds. In addition, DDGS is cheaper and more palatable to fish than soybean-corn combinations. However, it lacks some essential amino acids, such as lysine. In the ARS Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit at Auburn, Ala., nutrition scientist Chhorn Lim and his colleagues are evaluating how diets including DDGS influence growth performance and disease resistance in catfish and tilapia. The scientists gave the fish feeds that included 0, 10, 20, 30 or 40 percent DDGS. All five feeds had similar levels of energy, protein and fat. Results showed that tilapia thrive on feed with up to 20 percent DDGS. Adding supplemental lysine to the feed increased that percentage to 40 percent.

The scientists found that catfish thrived on feed comprising up to 40 percent DDGS plus lysine. In addition, they observed that catfish raised on diets that included DDGS demonstrated greater resistance to at least one major disease: enteric septicemia of catfish. Catfish raised on DDGS-containing diets were more likely to resist infection. Surviving catfish raised on a diet without DDGS had fewer antibodies than those raised on the DDGS feed—particularly fish on the 20 percent DDGS diet, whose antibodies were significantly higher than those of the control fish. This work has potential economic benefits for both ethanol and aquaculture. Finding markets for DDGS is essential to economical ethanol production. And substituting soybean-corn combinations with a cheaper protein source could help reduce the cost of fish feed, thereby reducing overall production costs. ARS is the chief scientific research agency of the US Department of Agriculture.

Fisheries release final plan for restoration of Columbia River chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout Source: www.eenews.net October 11, 2007 The National Marine Fisheries Service this week released a final plan for restoring populations of endangered chinook salmon and steelhead and the threatened bull trout on the upper Columbia River in Washington. The recovery plan, submitted in draft by the board at the end of 2005, is now the third federally approved salmon recovery plan for ESA-listed salmon in the Northwest. The others are Puget Sound chinook and Hood Canal summer chum.

The 352-page plan suggests analyzing the harm done by destruction of habitat, the effects of hydroelectric operations and the effects of hatcheries management on the populations. The three species could be removed from the endangered and threatened lists within 10 to 30 years, NMFS concluded. The estimated cost is at least $296 million over the first 10 years.

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New aquaculture course serves employer needs and student preferences Source: www.thefishsite.com October 9, 2007 US - A new Aquaculture Minor starts at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP) this autumn 2007. The certificate of higher education has been designed so students interested in commercial fish farming, aquarium trade, or state, federal, and tribal hatchery programs can specialize in specific areas. With a leading College of Natural Resources, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is a natural location for studies in aquaculture, says Chris Hartleb, professor of biology and co-director of the Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility. "We already offered courses, but I put together a panel of people who work in fisheries and asked them what they needed future employees to know," he explained. His discussions revealed that UWSP offered all but one of the necessary courses, and so he decided to create a minor in aquaculture.

The minor in Aquaculture/Fish Culture consists of 27 credits, which students can accumulate by studying a number of courses. Topics covered within the courses the include: * Biology * Aquatic invertebrate zoology * Water chemistry * Fisheries ecology * Animal parasitology * Principles of fishery management * Environmental toxicology and risk assessment * Wetlands ecology and management * Techniques of captive wildlife management * Marketing The program is designed so that students can specialize in key areas of aquaculture through elective courses which meet their areas of interest.

http://www.uwsp.edu/cls/aquaculture/documents/Aquaculture%20minor.pdf

Deadline Extended to December 1, 2007!!!

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FAO's fisheries latest statistics mark a milestone Source: www.thefishsite.com October 8, 2007

This month the FAO's Global Fisheries Statistics Yearbook marks a milestone for the UN agency - it is the 100th volume of the publication. The agency has been collecting and publishing data on fishing and fisheries for over 60 years, amassing a wealth of information that is simply not available elsewhere. Speaking in an interview for the organistion, FAO chief of fisheries information and statistics Richard Grainger says the work is vital in the global fight against hunger and malnutrition. Why count fish? Mr Grainger says that the survey involves much more than counting fish. FAO collects all sorts of data, ranging from how many fish there are produced in a given area, to how many boats are fishing for them and how much of a country's protein consumption incomes from fish and aquatic resources. The statistics are really about people and the millions that depend on fishing and fish farming for food and income. Of particular concern are those in the developing world, who make up the vast majority around 40 million people. Another 100 million people are involved in the smallscale post-harvest sector, with millions more working in seasonal or occasional fishing activities, says the FAO. And, all this activity means food and jobs for people who often urgently need both. Mr Grainger explained that without the statistics, policy and management amounts to 'stabs in the dark'. "We spend a great deal of time making sure countries are measuring the same things in the same way. If one person measures landings of whole “Cornish salmon” in one place and another person fillets of “hake” someplace else, well that doesn't tell us much, even though they are, as it turns out, measuring different products of the same kind of fish. Now imagine this on a global scale across scores of different languages. Some fish have dozens of different names just within the same country or region," he added. Getting the right results Fisheries statistics are obtained from national reporting offices and, wherever possible, verified from other sources such as regional fishery bodies or field

projects. Additional research is often required so that estimates can be produced when data are lacking or unreliable. Managing the data and publishing it involves the creation of databases, undertaking analyses, writing statistical yearbooks, reports, and the online dissemination of information. But achieving the right picture is not easy. Different research groups compare data and methods and although most of them are working towards the same goal, there can be anomalies. "However, the ultimate goal is to present the clearest picture of the world's fisheries and aquaculture so that humankind can responsibly manage them. There's a lot at stake," says Mr Grainger. Some of these controversies have centred on the reliability of the information that governments provide to FAO and there are some valid concerns. FAO is dependent on countries to provide with reliable data; and many FAO members have expressed concern about the quality of some sets of fishery statistics and have adopted a strategy to improve them. The FAO does operate a strict quality control process for submitted data, comparing it to alternative sources of information and past trends, etc. and it will make necessary adjustments and corrections to ensure that the numbers are as solid as possible. Obtaining reliable source data is of paramount importance, particularly for policy-making a n d management at the national and regional levels. The FAO has a team of experts that are sent out to different countries to bring them up to date with collection and reporting techniques and processed. And this is an area where FAO is uniquely qualified. It has more than 60 years experience and also operates an ongoing international working party that regularly evaluates these issues and makes proposals on data collection and reporting.

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Catch question: Is live a better option? NORWAY - Capture-based aquaculture will give Norwegian seafood a competitive advantage. However, uncertainty about profitability means that few fishermen are opting for live catches, says a Fiskeriforskning study.

t a k e longer time as the catch must be handled gently and the vessel can load less fish.

There is an increasing demand for fresh fish. However, large seasonal fluctuations in the fisheries mean there are long periods with insufficient supply of fresh fish products.

Weather conditions must also be more favourable than during traditional catches, which provides further uncertainty.

Capture-based aquaculture is being seen as an important solution in achieving continual supply. Despite this, figures for 2006 show a reduction in the quantity of live cod taken ashore.

The fishermen also say there are too few plants able to receive live fish, which leads to increased transport costs. Capture-based aquaculture will reduce time for other fishing and, as such, reduce incomes.

Of an annual cod quota of around 212,000 tonnes, only 800 tonnes was delivered live, even though the average price was 25 percent higher than with traditional methods.

As live cod deliveries have so far occurred in spring, the fishermen say this offers economic uncertainty as they must wait to take the fish. Last winter, cod prices were higher and many opted to take the cod in the traditional manner early in the season.

Uncertainty and time restraints

Strategy for fresh fish

Uncertainty about profitability means that fishermen are choosing to retain traditional catching methods, shows the study carried out by Fiskeriforskning for the Fishery and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund.

The Government is now preparing a strategy to increase the delivery of fresh fish to the industry. One of the means proposed is increasing the cod quota by 10 percent when fish is delivered live.

Vessels utilising purse seine were selected for the study as they are relatively well adapted technically to handle live fish.

"The effect of this means relies on the fishermen perceiving this as economically attractive compared to traditional catches," says Hermansen. "If there is little effect, it's possible to make it more attractive by further increasing the additional quota."

The boat owners did not see technical adjustments or cash infusion as obstacles, and believed catching methods and their own skills did not prevent starting with live fish deliveries. "About half the boat owners believe the higher prices offered for live fish are not enough to provide better profitability than traditional catching methods," says researcher Øystein Hermansen. The boat owners also point out that this method will

Spread knowledge The study shows many boat owners had little knowledge about time use or economic conditions for delivering live fish. Such knowledge is important in order to increase deliveries of live cod. "It's important there is a systematic collection of information about this method and that such knowledge is passed onto fishermen and the industry," says Hermansen adding: "This can also prevent vessels unsuitable for capture-based aquaculture investing in unprofitable rebuilding."

Source: www.thefishsite.com October 5, 2007

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Senator Clinton Calls for Federal Funding to Control Spread of VHS Source: www.thefishsite.com September 14, 2007

WASHINGTON DC – Senator Hillary Clinton joined several of her colleagues in urging the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to provide assistance in the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill to states whose aquaculture and fishing industries have been blighted by the deadly fish disease, Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). In a letter to Committee Chairman Tom Harkin and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss, the lawmakers stressed the need for language to be included in the Farm Bill that would ensure assistance is provided to Great Lakes states for testing, monitoring, and enforcement of VHS guidelines. “The effort made by the USDA and APHIS in combating the spread of VHS and other animals and diseases that threaten the Great Lakes and many smaller New York water bodies is encouraging, but I am still very concerned about the negative impact that the virus continues to have on the environment and on businesses in our state,” said Senator Clinton. She said that the APHIS order did not provide the necessary resources and it was unfair to think that states like New York should shoulder the entire burden of testing, monitoring, and enforcement. "Our fisheries and marine industries are vital to New York’s economic wellbeing, and that requires maintaining a healthy ecosystem in the Great Lakes. Adding language to the Farm Bill

that authorises assistance to states like New York that border the Great Lakes is critical in controlling the VHS problem,” added Mrs Clinton. In October 2006, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued an order to prevent the spread of VHS. It stopped the interstate movement within the Great Lakes states of more than three dozen species of live fish that are susceptible to the disease. However, these states do not have adequate capacity to perform the necessary quantity of testing. Also, the APHIS order did not provide any assistance to states to help with required testing, monitoring, and enforcement. All such responsibilities have been placed on the Great Lakes states and tribal management authorities. The authorisation of additional federal funds will provide the necessary assistance to states and monitoring agencies that are working to isolate, and curb the spread of the disease in the Great Lakes region.

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Insect protein: Real replacement potential Source: www.thefishsite.com September 4, 2007

FLORIDA - Aqua Biologics has begun Phase Two research trials on its patent pending Ento-Protein™, a high quality sustainable protein derived from insects. The research, in conjunction with Mississippi State University, will establish how the product can be integrated into farmed-fish diets. It is intended to be a replacement for fishmeal products which are a key ingredient in aquaculture formulations, but surrounded by controversy. Feeding trials with the insect protein will now start on hybrid striped bass using diets substituting 100 per cent of the dietary fishmeal component with EntoProtein™ meal. Concurrently, the Company is structuring the final Phase three research for extended growth trials, which are expected to start in October. The successful completion of these trials would pave the way for commercial trials and eventual implementation, says the company. Mr. Sal Cherch, Chief Operating Officer, said that initial results were very pleasing. "We strongly believe that Ento-Protein™ will successfully provide a sustainable, all-natural fishmeal substitute," he added. A staggering 25 per cent of all world fish production goes into fishmeal and fish oil. The world supply of fishmeal is so isolated geographically, that every

metric tonne of fishmeal travels an average of 5000 km before it reaches the end user. This has enormous economic implications in supplying the global markets. Viable If insect derived protein is viable, then production sites could be set up worldwide. "It would provide a viable solution to what is a serious problem. The key to the rapid and successful expansion of global seafood production is through the sustainable commercial production of a high quality dietary protein. Ento-Protein™ is the logical choice to eliminate the industry's dependence upon wild fishmeal as a dietary protein," said Mr Cherch. Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Aqua Biologics is a division of Neptune Industries, a company which prides itself on sustainable aquaculture production. Other products include Aqua-Sphere™ and AquaCell™ a production system that successfully addresses the environmental concerns of most operations by controlling and recycling all waste products. It operates Blue Heron Aqua Farms in Florida City, and is a leading producer of hybrid striped bass. It also has interests in the organic certification of farm-raised seafood.

USDA Awards $73,516 Grant for Aquaculture Business Park Source:www.ellsworthmaine.com August 15, 2007 Written by Tom Walsh

GOULDSBORO — Long-simmering plans to convert the former U.S. Navy communications center in Corea into an aquaculture business park are off the back burner after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last week that it is awarding a $73,516 grant to the project. The Rural Business Enterprise Grant is being provided through the USDA’s Rural Development division. “These funds are important as they support an industry essential to Maine’s economy and way of life,” said Michael W. Aube, USDA Rural

Development’s state director. “They are creating costeffective opportunities for aquaculture businesses and allowing for economic growth and job creation in rural Maine.” The USDA funds are being combined with a $400,000 Maine Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awarded last year to the town of Gouldsboro to help underwrite the costs of designing and building a seawater circulation system at the proposed Gulf of Maine Aquaculture Business Park. The

Maine

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conditionally approved up to $200,000 for the project, according to John Holden, director of business development for the Eastern Maine Development Corp. (EMDC). “This is going to happen,” Holden told the Gouldsboro Board of Selectmen at an Aug. 9 briefing on the project. “This will be a unique business park in North America that will be producing taxable income and jobs in Gouldsboro.” The Acadia Capital Corp. (ACC), a Bangor-based nonprofit affiliate of EMDC, now owns 40 acres of the former U.S. Navy complex that once occupied 450 acres off Route 195 between the Gouldsboro villages of Prospect Harbor and Corea. Holden said he expects the business park to attract as many as 15 businesses involved in land-based commercial aquaculture activities, such as fish farming. As a condition of the $400,000 CDBG grant, the project is required to create at least 13 full-time jobs within two years of the first expenditure of grant funds. As a condition of acceptance of the grant, the town would be required to repay the grant should those jobs not materialize, as promised. ACC has indemnified Gouldsboro from that risk by securing an irrevocable letter of credit from three banks: United Kingsfield Bank, Machias Savings Bank and Bar Harbor Banking and Trust. “Acadia Capital is a nonprofit that does not pay taxes,” Holden explained. “But, when property is sold to tenants, it becomes taxable. The nonprofit will retain ownership of the park’s infrastructure.” Tenants would share access to the seawater intake, circulation and discharge system while doing business on sites they lease or purchase from ACC. Among the park’s first tenants, Holden said, would be Maine Halibut Farms of Holden, which has an option on a 7.6-acre parcel on the site.

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Since 2000, the company has been developing methods of growing halibut from eggs to market size at a facility within the University of Maine’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture in Franklin. “The Corea park will be similar to what’s in place in Franklin, but that facility is used by the University of Maine as an incubator for new companies,” Holden said. “This park is for companies that have ‘graduated’ and are ready to go into commercial business.” Holden said Maine Halibut Farms has committed $92,000 to the project in addition to in-kind engineering services related to the design of the seawater circulation system. Maine Halibut Farms President Alan Spear has said the company plans to hire at least eight full-time workers to oversee production of 100,000 halibut a year. The company sells halibut ranging in size from 2 to 10 pounds to upscale restaurants throughout the Northeast. Holden said ACC is also in negotiations with Downeast Salmon, a company that plans to stock above-ground ponds with locally farmed salmon to provide seasonal recreational fishing opportunities for fly fishing enthusiasts. Local, state and federal permits required for the project are now being finalized, Holden said. So are bid packages for construction of the piping and pumping systems required for the park’s seawater circulation infrastructure. Holden told the Board of Selectmen that bids may be solicited as soon as October, or could be held back until January to attract the lowest prices for spring construction. “It may be as soon as this time next year that this site will be producing halibut for sale on the commercial market,” he told the Gouldsboro selectmen. “This is pretty exciting,” said Dana Rice, the chairman of the Gouldsboro Board of Selectmen.

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FCS Program Development—we need your help! Member attendance at the WAS Triennial Conference this spring was excellent—at or near an all-time high. One reason for this success can be attributed to the broad participation we had from FCS professionals in program development. Drawing from a great group of individuals, we were able identify and organize about 16 sessions of interest. At this time, we are again moving forward planning the 2010 Triennial and will try to expand our participation even more. To ensure the sessions will be pertinent to YOUR needs, we want your input. Thus, after discussions amongst the FCS leadership, it was decided to canvass members on program needs for the 2010 Triennial and other upcoming meetings. Below are listed the principal meetings most of our FCS members are likely to participate in or attend. Under each meeting heading are listed 5 program topics we believe you would be interested in. For the meetings you plan to attend, please rate the topics by number, with 1 the most important and 5, the least important. In the blank areas. #6#10, please add other topics you would like to see in addition to or in place of, those on the list. Please add more if you’d like. We are open to suggestions; this is the time to share your ideas! The Program Committee will compile your responses and use this information to develop our basic agenda, ensuring we will deliver the type of programming to meet your needs. If you have any questions, have additional topics to suggest, and/or want to be considered as a presenter or session organizer, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you by December 5. Thanks Mike Frinsko ([email protected]) and Jesse Trushenski ([email protected])

l. WAS Triennial Conference 2010

lll. Aquaculture America, 2009

1) Larval Nutrition of Fishes 2) General Fish Larviculture 3) Innovations in Fish Transport 4) Management Options for Reducing Fish Stress 5) Incidence and Management of Digenetic Grub Disease 6) __________________Other 7) __________________Other 8) __________________Other 9) ___________________Other 10) __________________Other

1) Improved Broodstock Management 2) Broodstock Nutrition 3) Use and Preparation of Larval Feeds 4) Pond Fertilization in Larviculture 5) Tools for Counting and Grading Larval and Juvenile Fishes 6) __________________Other 7) __________________Other 8) __________________Other 9) ___________________Other 10) __________________Other

ll. AFS National Meeting, 2008

lV. Fish Biology Congress, 2008

1) Gynogens in Fish Culture 2) History of North American Fish Culture 3) Paddlefish Culture 4) Genetics and Hatchery Reform 5) Bowfin and Gar Culture 6) __________________Other 7) __________________Other 8) __________________Other 9) ___________________Other 10) __________________Other

1) Anesthetics and Fish Physiology 2) Insights in Stress Physiology 3) Chemoreception and Fish Feed Formulation 4) Significance of Broodstock Nutrition to Egg and Larval Development 5) Improving Immunity with Probiotics 6) __________________Other 7) __________________Other 8) __________________Other 9) ___________________Other 10) __________________Other

Newsletter of the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society October 2007 President................................ Woods President............................................Curry ............ Immediate PastBarnes Past-President.................Mike President................. PresidentTrushenski President-elect................................... elect...................................Jesse ........ SecretaryKittel Secretary-Treasurer...........................Carl Treasurer........................... Committee Chairpersons (Standing): Auditing................................................................................. Chris Green Hall of Fame.......................................................................... Mike Barnes Membership...........................................................................Curry Woods Newsletter..............................................................................Heidi Lewis Nominating.............................................................,..............Mike Barnes Program................................................................................. Jesse Trushenski Committee Chairpersons (Ad Hoc): Continuing Education...........................................................Mike Frinsko Student Awards.....................................................................Steve Lochmann Student...................................................................................Brett Timmons and Heidi Lewis President’s Appointees: FCS Representative to PFIRM..............................................Vince Mudrak FCS Representative to Triennial Program Committee........Mike Frinsko FCS Representative to Triennial Steering Committee.........John Nickum FCS Liaison to USAS..............................................................Max Mayeaux FCS Webmaster......................................................................Cortney Ohs Contact Contact Information: Curry Woods............................................................curry@umd.edu Mike Barnes..............................................................Mike.Barnes@state.sd.us Jesse Trushenski.......................................................saluski@siu.edu Carl Kittel.................................................................Carl.Kittel@tpwd.state.tx.us Chris Green..............................................................ccgreen@siu.edu Heidi Lewis...............................................................hal7e7@siu.edu Mike Frinsko............................................................Mike_Frinsko@ncsu.edu Steve Lochmann.......................................................slochmann@uaex.edu Brett Timmons.........................................................shadowgrotto@gmail.com Vince Mudrak..........................................................Vincent.Mudrak@fws.gov John Nickum............................................................jgnickum@hotmail.com Max Mayeaux...........................................................mmayeaux@crees.usda.gov Cortney Ohs.............................................................cohs@ufl.edu