May 6, 2009
Midwest Recirculating Aquaculture Workshop and
field day in Bayfield
The Midwest Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) Workshop, sponsored by the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (NADF), will be held
in Bayfield and Red Cliff on Wednesday and Thursday, June 10 and 11, in conjunction with a Vendor
Fair followed by the annual Field Day with aquaculture industry meetings and fish fry on Friday,
June 12.
According to Chris Hartleb, NADF co-director and professor of fisheries biology, the workshop will
provide hands-on system demonstrations and practical operating knowledge enabling aquaculturists to
better understand RAS capability.
“RAS aquaculture reuses up to 95 percent of the water with fish raised in indoor tanks, utilizing
both mechanical and biological filters,” said Hartleb. RAS represents sustainability and water
conservation as part of the culture process.
Speakers from Europe and the United States will provide information on specific systems and species
applicability. There will be sessions on overview/history, systems, economics, fish health and RAS,
along with individual presentations on cold water, cool water and warm water species, and aquaponics.
The agenda includes a panel discussion by all speakers, and hands-on instruction utilizing three RAS
at NADF and a water quality lab. Participants will be able to talk directly with engineers, successful
RAS farmers, and researchers about RAS practices.
The vendor fair will feature companies specializing in RAS aquaculture. The workshop will incorporate
time for networking and an optional evening boat trip on Lake Superior through the Apostle Islands.
On Friday the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association (WAA) and Wisconsin Aquaculture Industry Advisory Council
(WAIAC) will have morning meetings followed by the annual WAA fish fry and a tour of the NADF.
Current and prospective fish farmers interested in RAS or aquaponics, researchers, state, federal and
tribal hatchery technicians and veterinarians or anyone with an interest in aquaculture practices and
technologies are encouraged to attend.
Registration for the two-day workshop is $75 for WAA members and $100 for nonmembers. An optional Thursday
evening Lake Superior Cruise is $35 for adults, $25 for spouses, and $15 for children under 18. The cost for
Friday’s picnic is $9 per person.
Workshop information including registration, lodging and a brochure is on the Web
at
www.wisconsinaquaculture.com.
For registration questions contact Cindy Johnson of WAA at 715-373-2990
or
Cindy@WisconsinAquaculture.com.
For additional workshop information contact Ron Johnson, associate outreach specialist
at 715-779-3189.
