Wisconsin fish farmers get together
The 15th Annual Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference brought together more than one hundred fish farmers to talk about the future of their industry, reports USAgNet; There are over 2,300 registered fish farms in the state. Nearly one hundred of those are DNR (Department of natural Resources- Ed. note) facilities. Fish farms can raise trout, game fish and baitfish like minnows. This year's conference focused on promoting the fish farms as a source of fresh and local food. "We're Fresh and Local" was the theme for the March 19-20 event. With the current economic strains on businesses, Wisconsin aquaculturists met to help each other solve problems and promote aquaculture.
The conference featured sessions on aquaponics, marketing, pond management, research, health/fish management, regulations, and species breakout groups. Included was a Trade Show for vendors to show off the newest and latest in aquaculture equipment and services, displays of aquaculture research projects and the Third Annual Wisconsin School Aquaculture Poster.
"Aquaculture is a very green industry," says aquaculture specialist Ron Johnson. "And one of our uphill battles is to show the public that aquaculture is done sustainably, economically and environmentally sound." Farmers also discussed topics like fish parasites and how to compost fish waste. One of the highlights each year is the time participants spend networking and gaining insight from one another and experienced farmers.
