Participants will learn how Wisconsin’s aquaculture industry competes against global markets, faces the challenges of economic viability and environmental sustainability, and tackles the threat of the new disease Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) at the 13^th annual Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference to be held March 14-15 at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc.

The conference, "Wisconsin Aquaculture: Meeting Global Challenges – Locally," will bring together more than 200 people including fish farmers, aquaculture researchers, extension specialists, vendors and state agencies to emphasize the diverse family farm-oriented industry. Speakers and merchants from Wisconsin and around the country will discuss advances in technology, innovative culture methods and market trends. Chris Hartleb, co-director of the Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility in Bayfield and professor of fisheries biology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), says aquaculture is the fastest growing segment of agriculture worldwide.

The keynote luncheon speaker will be Bill Bonzheim, director of Seafood, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., and Dani Klontz with Nelson & Sons Silver Cup Feed returns again for a fish cooking seminar and demonstration. A new feature will be the judging of the Aquaculture Poster Contest which is open to all Wisconsin high schools. A pre-conference trout workshop will be held on Thursday, March 13, to assist Wisconsin trout farmers to meet production of the fast growing trout food market.

The conference will include sessions by state agency personnel, a snapshot on the today’s Wisconsin aquaculture industry, farm programs, a VHS update, cooperatives, fish stocking, Vendors at the trade show will have the latest and best aquaculture equipment and services. A silent auction and raffle will be held with proceeds going for FFA’s aquaculture proficiency awards, aquaculture high school poster contest and support of the aquaculture industry.

Sponsors of the conference are UWSP’s Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility, University of Wisconsin-Extension, the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association, Inc., Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Roundy’s Supermarkets, and Nelson and Sons Silver Cup Feed.

Conference registration is $100 per person ($130 for non-Wisconsin Aquaculture Association members), $85 for additional person of same organization, $65 for students or attendee’s spouse. The daily rate is $70 for Friday only or $60 for Saturday. There is a $25 late fee after March 1, plus registration. There is a separate $15 charge for the Trout Workshop on March 13.

More information is on the Web at http://www.ncrac.org/News/wisconsin.htm. Other contacts include Cindy Johnson, Wisconsin Aquaculture Association, (715) 373-2990 or Cindy@WisconsinAquaculture.com, or Ron Johnson, Aquaculture Outreach Specialist at (715) 779-3189.

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tm/vc/Aquaculture Manitowoc conference