Aechive 2007

INDUSTRY INPUT INTO USDA RESEARCH PROGRAMS
(Posted 03-15-08)

This is your opportunity to provide input into USDA's Stakeholders Meeting to Set 5-Year Research Priorities in person, or in written form.

On April 15-16th, USDA ARS and CSREES will be convening their aquaculture program planning workshop in Kansas City, Missouri to acquire stakeholder input to guide their aquaculture program development. The success of this workshop is dependent on strong representation from private industry and others with first-hand knowledge of critical constraints and problems. USDA urges you to register if you haven’t already. A block of discounted rooms will be held for attendees of this workshop until March 31. For more insights on the program, please refer to the draft agenda below. At this time, USDA can accommodate more attendees on a first-come basis until we reach their limit on attendees based on conference budget constraints. If you want to register and attend, contact Rosemary Callahan at 301-504-4873 (rosemary.callahan@ars.usda.gov) as soon as possible. Hotel conference is Aquaculture Program Planning Workshop, Airport Hilton Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri.

For persons unable to attend this workshop, USDA still seeks your knowledge and input. They encourage you to record your comments on critical opportunities and problems by completing a Stakeholder Input Form (Below after agenda) and returning it as directed by April 10. Your written input will be acknowledged, in addition to the output from the workshop in developing the strategic plans for our aquaculture portfolios.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

Tuesday April 15, 2008
Introductions
Presentations from ARS AND CSREES
Retrospective Review Panel Presentation

Plenary Address : Mr. Chip Morgan, Delta Council
Break Out Sessions I (2.5 hours)
Report out

Wednesday April 16, 2008
Plenary Address : Mr. George Williams, Darden Restaurants
Break Out Sessions II (2.5 hours)
Report out
Break Out Sessions III (2.5 hours)
Report out
Summarize

Thursday April 17, 2008
USDA sessions
Separate ARS-CSREES meetings (ARS Action Plan sketch session)
Discussion of Priorities and Linkages (ARS and CSREES)
Adjourn by 2:00pm

Break Out Sessions I
By Species/commodity
1. Salmonids-
2. Catfish-
3. Crustaceans-Shrimp, crawfish
4. Bivalves-(oysters, mussels, clams)
5. Non-salmonid marine fish-
6. Percids (tilapia, striped bass, yellow perch) -
7. Non-food fish-

Break Out Sessions II
By Discipline
8. Genetics/Genomics
9. Physiology (Reproduction, Growth and Stress)
10. Production Systems -
11Aquatic Animal Health-
12. Nutrition and Feeds-
13 Aquaculture Products-

Break Out Sessions III
Emerging Issues
14. Biosecurity
15. Water availability and Use-
16. Larval feeds-
17. Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Measures-
18. Aquatic Animal Welfare-
19. New aquatic species and consumer products
20. Aquatic Foods Consumption and Human Health Benefits

STAKEHOLDER RESPONSE FORM

If you cannot attend the USDA ARS/CSREES Aquaculture Program Planning Workshop for stakeholders on April 15 and 16, 2008 in Kansas City, MO, please provide your written input no later than April 10.

If you cannot attend the workshop, we still wish to record your input. Please complete and return this Stakeholder Response Form to suggest priority research needs, technology transfer mechanisms, and opportunities and benefits for integrated research-extension approaches for any or all breakout sessions in the workshop program. Please refer to the Break Out Sessions/Topic listing below.

Break Out Sessions/Topics

USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) & Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) Announces Stakeholders Meeting to Set 5-Year Research Priorities (see January Archives For Details)
ARS and CSREES announce the 2008 Aquaculture Program Planning Workshop focusing on research, technology transfer, integrated research-extension programs, and linkages with key partners. The workshop will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, from April 15-16th, 2008, for stakeholder input and interactions; April 17, 2008 will be the USDA post-workshop session devoted to action plan development.

Pacific Rim Shellfish Sanitation Conference (PacRim) to be Held in San Diego, CA April 22nd, 23rd and ½ day on the 24th.
(Posted 03-01-08)
Location: Hacienda Hotel in Old Town San Diego, CA
Cost: Registration is $120, includes entrance for 1 to the reception on
the first night
Hotel Cost: $125/night
Additional Information, Contact: robindowney@pcsga.org

MARCH 2008

INDUSTRY INPUT INTO USDA RESEARCH PROGRAMS
(Posted 03-15-08)

This is your opportunity to provide input into USDAs Stakeholders Meeting to Set 5-Year Research Priorities in person, or in written form.

On April 15-16th, USDA ARS and CSREES will be convening their aquaculture program planning workshop in Kansas City, Missouri to acquire stakeholder input to guide their aquaculture program development. The success of this workshop is dependent on strong representation from private industry and others with first-hand knowledge of critical constraints and problems. USDA urges you to register if you haven’t already. A block of discounted rooms will be held for attendees of this workshop until March 31. For more insights on the program, please refer to the draft agenda below. At this time, USDA can accommodate more attendees on a first-come basis until we reach their limit on attendees based on conference budget constraints. If you want to register and attend, contact Rosemary Callahan at 301-504-4873 (rosemary.callahan@ars.usda.gov) as soon as possible. Hotel conference is Aquaculture Program Planning Workshop, Airport Hilton Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri.

For persons unable to attend this workshop, USDA still seeks your knowledge and input. They encourage you to record your comments on critical opportunities and problems by completing a Stakeholder Input Form (Below after agenda) and returning it as directed by April 10. Your written input will be acknowledged, in addition to the output from the workshop in developing the strategic plans for our aquaculture portfolios.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

Tuesday April 15, 2008
Introductions
Presentations from ARS AND CSREES
Retrospective Review Panel Presentation

Plenary Address : Mr. Chip Morgan, Delta Council
Break Out Sessions I (2.5 hours)
Report out

Wednesday April 16, 2008
Plenary Address : Mr. George Williams, Darden Restaurants
Break Out Sessions II (2.5 hours)
Report out
Break Out Sessions III (2.5 hours)
Report out
Summarize

Thursday April 17, 2008
USDA sessions
Separate ARS-CSREES meetings (ARS Action Plan sketch session)
Discussion of Priorities and Linkages (ARS and CSREES)
Adjourn by 2:00pm

Break Out Sessions I
By Species/commodity
1. Salmonids-
2. Catfish-
3. Crustaceans-Shrimp, crawfish
4. Bivalves-(oysters, mussels, clams)
5. Non-salmonid marine fish-
6. Percids (tilapia, striped bass, yellow perch) -
7. Non-food fish-

Break Out Sessions II
By Discipline
8. Genetics/Genomics
9. Physiology (Reproduction, Growth and Stress)
10. Production Systems -
11Aquatic Animal Health-
12. Nutrition and Feeds-
13 Aquaculture Products-

Break Out Sessions III
Emerging Issues
14. Biosecurity
15. Water availability and Use-
16. Larval feeds-
17. Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Measures-
18. Aquatic Animal Welfare-
19. New aquatic species and consumer products
20. Aquatic Foods Consumption and Human Health Benefits

Please provide your input below and return the completed form by fax or email it to Rosemary Callahan at 301-504-4873 (rosemary.callahan@ars.usda.gov) no later than April 10.

Name:
Title:
Company, Organization, or University:

Email and/or telephone:

Opportunities/Problems

Please indicate species/ discipline using attached break out session agenda

Opportunities/Problems

Approach to address Opportunities/Problems

Expected outcomes (numeric if appropriate; e.g. 30% improvement)

Tech Transfer/Extension/Integrated Research Needs

Thank you for your attention and assistance (Jeff Silverstein and Gary Jensen, USDA)

FDA RELEASES INFORMATION ON SUPPLEMENTAL POLICIES: DRUG-PESTICIDE ISSUES (Posted 03-01-07)
CENTER FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE, PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL 1240.4220: SUPPLEMENTAL POLICIES: DRUG-PESTICIDE ISSUES

I. Introduction: If a registered pesticide is being used properly (i.e., the labeled conditions in fact exist in the facility at the time the pesticide is used, and the compound is not misused under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)), FDA will not object to that proper use if the pesticide has purported incidental, concurrent therapeutic (drug) benefit. Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations contains the regulations under which the pesticide programs operate.

II. Registered Pesticide: If a registered pesticide is not being used properly under FIFRA and is intended for a drug use, then FDA may consider regulatory action.

A. Coordination should be effected with EPA since a FIFRA violation likely would have occurred in addition to an FD&C Act violation.

B. Regulatory action against a vendor should be considered if the vendor is (overtly/subtly) establishing an intended drug use for the pesticide. Regulatory action at the producer level should be considered only in light of the limits discussed in II.A.3. in CVM Program Policy and Procedures Manual 1240.4200.

III. Compound Not Registered as a Pesticide:

If a compound that is not registered as a pesticide (and is not exempted from registration) is promoted or used both as a pesticide and a drug, regulatory action should be considered. Coordination should be effected with EPA since a FIFRA violation would likely have occurred in addition to an FD&C Act violation.

Responsible Office: Division of Compliance
Date: 10/29/97; Updated 2/19/08 1

FEBRUARY 2008

CALIFORNIA ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF AQUACULTURE COORDINATOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME (Posted 02-06-08)
Dr. Devin Bartley, 54, of Oroville, and graduate of U.C. Davis, has been appointed aquaculture coordinator for the Department of Fish and Game. Since 2000, he has served as senior fishery resources officer for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Bartley has worked for the FAO since 1991 and previously held the positions of officer in charge of aquaculture and inland fishery service and fishery resource officer. Prior to that, he was an assistant researcher for the University of California , Davis from 1989 to 1991 and a private consultant for Ocean Nutrition from 1988 to 1990. Bartley is a member of the American Fisheries Society, the World Aquaculture Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This position does not require Senate confirmation.

RESEARCH TO Quantify Economic Contribution of Recreational Fish Producers For Western States, Including California, led by Colorado State University (Posted 02-01-08)
A team of researchers at Colorado State University and several other institutions has been awarded a grant by the Western Regional Aquaculture Center to document the economic contribution of the suppliers of recreational fish in the Western United States. Dr. Craig Bond, Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at CSU, will lead the effort.

Contributions of an industry to a local or regional economy are typically measured by tracing the flows of spending between the firms in an industry and the rest of the economy. The linkages between these industries, and the share of local versus non-local purchases, interact to create an overall industry contribution to regional economies. Often, these results are reported in the form of “multipliers”. For example, an output multiplier of 1.62 for an industry in a particular economy implies that for every dollar of sales, an additional $0.62 of sales is generated elsewhere in that economy.

To most accurately trace these spending flows, the research team plans to collect primary data from the supplying producers themselves using a survey. The survey will include production data by species and size, volume of production and sales, employment and wage data, and perhaps most importantly, spending on inputs (including materials, machinery, etc.). This information will be used with a regional input-output model across the twelve-state Western region to estimate total economic contributions of the industry. In accordance with Colorado State University regulations, information for individual firms will be kept private and confidential, and no results will be published that allows identification of specific operations.

The research team is currently developing the survey instrument and conducting focus groups in order to refine and improve upon the current version of the survey. A first mailing of the survey is planned for early February. As the accuracy and representativeness of the results critically depend on producer participation, the research team would like to invite producers to visit an informational website at dare.colostate.edu/wracimpact.html, and/or to contact Dr. Bond at 970-491-6951 or craig.bond@colostate.edu with any questions.

Request for Western Regional Aquaculture Center Regional Research and Outreach Project Pre-Proposals (Posted 02-01-08)
The Western Regional Aquaculture Center’s (WRAC’s) Industry Advisory Council and Technical Committee recently reviewed the status of priority needs of the aquaculture industry throughout the western region and developed problem statements for projects in the 2009 fiscal funding cycle. The Board of Directors approved the enclosed six statements for solicitation of pre-proposals. WRAC policy requests that each project include participation by two or more states located within the western region (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming). Research partnerships may be formed among all elements of federal, state, and local government, public institutions, and the private sector.

WRAC is seeking pre-proposals for the following six research areas (Problem Statements attached):

1. Alternative Species
2. Microalgae Culture in the West
3. Effect and Interaction of Alternative Ingredients in Fish Diets
4. Tilapia Nutrition for Modern Intensive Production
5. Salmonid Gamete Quality
6. Alternative and Dependable Sterilization Techniques

Catfish Farmers of America Annual Convention
Feb. 29-March 2, 2008
Hyatt Regency San Diego
San Diego, Calif.
For Information: email: catfishjournalth@bellsouth.net

JANUARY 2008:

USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) & Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) Announces Stakeholders Meeting to Set 5-Year Research Priorities (Posted 12-23-07)

ARS and CSREES announce the 2008 Aquaculture Program Planning Workshop focusing on research, technology transfer, integrated research-extension programs, and linkages with key partners. The workshop will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, from April 15-16th, 2008, for stakeholder input and interactions; April 17, 2008 will be the USDA post-workshop session devoted to action plan development.

This workshop is designed to provide stakeholders, customers, and partners with the opportunity to participate in planning the direction of public investments in USDA aquaculture programs for the next five years.

Aquaculture Program Planning Workshop, Airport Hilton Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri, April 15-17, 2008

April 15: Morning introductions and reports; Afternoon simultaneous breakout sessions.

April 16: Simultaneous breakout sessions continued with summaries.

April 17: USDA ARS and CSREES closed, post-workshop sessions.

Why convene the workshop: We need public and professional input in forming the objectives and directions of our aquaculture program support of U.S. agriculture for the next five years.

Who should attend April 15-16: Aquaculture farmers and their representatives, manufacturers of aquacultural products and technology developers, veterinarians, researchers from federal, commercial and university laboratories and experiment stations, extension specialists, and anyone having problems that can be addressed by USDA-funded aquaculture programs. This is also a great opportunity to make new professional contacts and to further understand the diversity of aquaculture programs administered by ARS and CSREES.

What is provided: The workshop will include breakfasts, snacks, and lunches on Tuesday and Wednesday, plus a reception on Tuesday evening. We hope you can attend and will make many new professional contacts at this meeting.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, or to request more information, please contact Rosemary Callahan at: Rosemary.Callahan@ars.usda.gov

Jeffrey Silverstein, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, National Program Leader, Aquaculture

The Greater Nevada Aquatic Ecology and KOI Health Academy is holding a pathology, health and pond management seminar and workshop February 23-24 in Reno Nevada. Instructors are from industries and universities. Accommodations are at the Siena Hotel, Spa & Casino at $119 and registration is $295. For additional information regarding special topics, program and registration details please contact Dr. Tim Miller-Morgan at (541) 867-0265 or at tim.miller-morgan@oregonstate.edu .

CONTE TAKES A SABBATICAL (Posted 12-12-07)

Yes, and I am looking forward to it. I will be taking a sabbatical to work on selected special projects, beginning January 2, 2008 through December 2008. The primary project is to work on a sturgeon book, with the working title of, Sturgeon Culture: for Conservation, Meat and Caviar. The book will also include an update of the sturgeon hatchery manual that we published in1988. The project includes construction of a companion digital E-book, which will contain digital photography, Flash-video presentations and additional sturgeon culture information. In addition, I will participate in Sea Grant funded sturgeon research on egg development quality, and the production of a digital outreach publication and a Flash video covering the research subject.

A second part of the sabbatical will be to work on construction of special topics and sections in the California Aquaculture web site, so the web site will continue to be updated and maintained. As some have noted, the website’s Podcast and Flash video sections have been at a standstill for the past few months, primarily due to the noise from sub-street construction in front of my office window. Since I will also be working at a second location while on sabbatical, production of the voiceover recordings will be made at the second location until the roadwork is completed.

Future Podcasts include continuation of the oyster aquaculture series and a beginning series on aquatic animal welfare, and niche marketing of aquaculture products. These Podcasts will also be added to the Aquaculture Podcasts from the University of California, free download section on the iTunes website (www.iTunes.com). Flash video presentations for our web site will include the basics of aquatic animal welfare, engineering aquatic systems for welfare, and models for best animal practices in fish live hauling and holding of live fish.

GLOBAL AQUACULTURE ALLIANCE EXPANDS BEST AQUACULTURE PRACTICES (BAP) CERTIFICATION STANDARDS. (Posted 12-07-07)

The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) is forming a new Standards Oversight Committee (SOC) to coordinate the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification standards. Draft standards are being developed for Channel Catfish and Tilapia, and nominations for SOC membership is being sought. Channel Catfish draft guidelines and comment links may be found at www.gaalliance.org/comment2.html.

Submit your comments on Channel Catfish by December 31. Please send nominations for SOC membership to dangaelle@aol.com

or fax to +44-0-1248-716729.

The SOC will manage public input, oversee the process of developing standards, and coordinate updates. Its members will include equal representation from nongovernmental conservation and social justice organizations, academic institutions and regulatory agencies, and industry.

Global Aquaculture Alliance -- http://www.gaalliance.org
Feeding the World Through Responsible Aquaculture
5661 Telegraph Road, Suite 3A -- St. Louis, Missouri 63129 USA
Telephone: 314-293-5500 -- Fax: 314-293-5525 -- E-mail: homeoffice@gaalliance.org

2007 EDITION OF THE BLUEBOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE

In 2003, the AFS-FHS released a new digital version of the FHS Blue Book. In that version were many new diagnostic chapters, hundreds of color pictures, videos, and a new inspection section written jointly with the USFWS. The latest version of the FHS Blue Book is ready for distribution and sale. This new edition contains an updated Fish Health Inspection Manual co-authored with the USFWS, many new Diagnostic Chapters, and (for the first time ever) QA/QC Guidelines for Fish Disease Laboratories. The new Diagnostic Chapters include seven shellfish disease chapters written by East and West Coast experts. These are all very up to date and lavishly illustrated Those with subscriptions to the Blue Book will be receiving their new copies very soon. Those wishing to purchase the Blue Book CD will find it by following the Bookstore links on the AFS web site or by going directly to the AFS bookstore

USDA-CSREES OPENS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR INTEGRATED ORGANIC PROGRAM - AQUACULTURE ELIGIBLE (POSTED 12-04-07)(Source USDA-CSREES-Received 12-04-07))

Please note the following notice of funding opportunity to support the development of national organic standards for farmed aquatic species. There are certainly researchable topics and educational issues associated with advancing organic certification of aquaculture products through USDA in the US. Please review the various integrated and other activities that are eligible for funding under this program and consider strategic partnerships to develop highly competitive proposals related to organic certification of farmed aquatic species.

The purpose of the Integrated Organic Program is to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities in two program areas: (1) Organic Transitions Program (ORG); and (2) Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). ORG funds the development and implementation of research, extension, and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic producers and producers who are adopting organic practices. OREI funds research and extension programs that enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. These two funding opportunities are included in the same Request for Applications. PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT FUND START UP BUSINESSES

NOAA and USDA Accepting Public Comment on Aquaculture Feeds
(Posted November 20)

NOAA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are soliciting information and ideas on ways to lessen dependence on fish-based feeds in the aquaculture industry. This comment period is the first step of a broad, year-long program that will include research projects, scientific consultations and a national workshop aimed at developing new and effective ingredients for aqua-feed.

"Forty percent of the seafood consumed in the United States comes from farmed sources, so we have a keen interest in making sure that aquaculture production is efficient and environmentally responsible," said Bill Hogarth, director of NOAA Fisheries Service. "Our program will identify science needs on alternative feeds for aquaculture to guide federal research funding priorities."

Congress is considering legislation to allow NOAA to permit aquaculture operations in federal waters, three to 200 miles off U.S. coasts. If enacted, the National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007 also would authorize a research and development program for all marine aquaculture, which would advance the movement to find additional feed options.

Producers feed pellets to farm-raised fish and shrimp that are made in part from ground-up herring, menhaden, anchovy, and sardines, so-called industrial fish. These small, bony species provide farmed seafood with important protein, fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals.

The issue of feed ingredients is a challenge facing the expanding global aquaculture industry because industrial fish are under increasing pressure as a commercial fishery worldwide. The cost of fish meal has risen steeply as farming operations have increased. In 2002, 46 percent of fishmeal went to aquaculture uses, while 22 percent went to poultry and 24 percent went to pigs. The amount of available fish meal and fish oil is not likely to increase, so producers must find other sources of feed protein as the aquaculture industry continues to grow.

In response, industry is turning to other feed ingredients such as algae and soybeans, thus reducing the use of fishmeal and fish oil. Studies are helping scientists to better understand the nutritional requirements of fish to ensure new feeds effectively grow seafood that retains nutritional benefits for humans. NOAA Fisheries Service and USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service are interested in making better use of discarded fish parts from fish processing plants for feeds, in addition to using a variety of potential ingredients from agriculture, including plants.

To submit a question, idea, or recommendation on alternative feeds for aquaculture, stakeholders should send an e-mail to: noaa.aquaculture@noaa.gov; send a fax to: 301-713-9108; or, send a letter to: NOAA Aquaculture Program, Alternative Feeds Initiative, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13117, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The deadline for comments is February 29, 2008.

FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR CATFISH FEED LOSSES DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS - EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 27 (Received November 1, Poster November 2nd AND November20)

Application is now online. Deadline to apply is November 27, 2007

Do you raise catfish in a controlled environment in California for commercial use?

Did you suffer a catfish feed loss or damage due to a natural disaster from January 2, 2005 through February 28, 2007?

If so, you may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $80,000 from the 2007 Catfish Feed Compensation Program, a U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency disaster assistance program that is administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Program participation criteria, application and instructions for the program are now available online at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/fflders/catfish.html. Completed, hard-copy applications must be received by the California Department of Food and Agriculture no later than November 15, 2007.

CDFA has developed a work sheet and instructions to assist California's catfish producers in calculating costs associated with lost feeding days. Under this method, catfish producer's will be able submit a claim for the livestock losses associated with the specific disaster, such as a heat loss. Please review this document carefully.

If you have already submitted you application, you may file an amended application by the extended due date of November 26, 2007. Questions can be directed to Natalie Krout, nkrout@cdfa.ca.gov, Liz Houser, ehouser@cdfa.ca.gov or by phone to 916-445-0444, or Kelsey Olson at (916) 445-0444 or kolson@cdfa.ca.gov.

2007 Catfish Feed Compensation Program
Method for calculating “Costs associated to Lost Feeding Days”
Due to disasters (i.e. extreme heat) under Method #1.

1. Determine the average feeding rate per day (in pounds of food) for the months of May – September. Use the actual feed purchased during this 150-day period based on feed mill records or receipts. Divide the total pounds purchased by 150 to determine average daily feeding rate.

2. Multiply the daily feeding rate by the number of days specified in the disaster period to reach the “calculated feeding days lost”. To determine the number of days, use the “Start Date” and “End Date” from the Counties Affected by a Designated Natural Disaster spreadsheet. For heat losses in the same calendar year you may claim multiple dates.

· For Example Kern County suffered excessive heat during 2 time periods in 2006; 14 days from 5/1/2006-5/15/2006 and 30 days from 7/1/2006-7/31/2006; therefore a farmer in Kern County would use 44 days for their calculation.

3. Once you have determined the “calculated feeding days lost” (CFDL) divide that number by the 2.0 feed conversion rate to determine the pounds of fish lost. Multiply the calculated fish loss by the average price per pound based on your sales in the year of loss (i.e. 2006 average price per pound).

4. Record the resulting dollar amount on Form CDFA-CFCP-07A and use “Heat Loss Calculation” as the description. Attached a supporting spreadsheet to show your calculations for #1-3.

_Feed Purchased (lbs)_ X ____________ = ___________________
150 Days # days of disaster (CFDL)

CFDL = ____pounds of fish lost X $_________ = $ __________________
2.0 Price/pd Dollar value of loss

A producer in Kern County purchases 250 ton of food per year. Between May – September he historically purchases 150 ton (300,000 pounds). This producer suffered a loss due to extreme heat in 2006. Based on the Counties Affected by a Designated Natural Disaster spreadsheet he qualifies for 44 days of disaster designation. His calculations under Method # 1 and Method 2 follow:

2000 pounds X 44 days = (88,000/2.0) = 44,000 pds of fish lost x $2.60 per pd. = $114,400 (Dollar Value of Loss)

The producer would then calculate his loses under Method #2. His records indicate that he purchased 250 tons of feed in 2006.

Since the losses under Method 2 ($6500.00) are less than the losses under Method 1 ($114,000), he would submit a claim for the $6500.00.

PROPOSED U.S. ORGANIC AQUACULTURE STANDARDS UPDATE
Upcoming Symposium Posts Papers (Poster October 11, 2007)

The National Organic Standards (NOSB) and the National Organic Program (NOP) are hosting an Organic Aquaculture Symposium on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 in conjunction with the Fall 2007 NOSB Meeting to be held Wednesday, November 28 through Friday, November 30, 2007 in Washington, DC. The purpose of the symposium is to obtain scientific and academic input to assist the NOSB in making final recommendations to the NOP on two major unresolved issues regarding the organic standards for finfish aquaculture. The symposium is scheduled for Nov. 27 and will precede the Fall 2007 meeting of the National Organic Standards Board scheduled 28-30 Nov. in Washington, DC.

NOSB and NOP will be taking another step toward the development of national organic standards in reviewing and seeking further consultation from stakeholders on two critical topics: fish feed and fish meal/oil and open cage net pens. The six members of each panel that will address these two subjects have been selected and most of their papers have been posted in addition to details on the symposium at:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/MeetingAgendas/Nov2007/OrganicAquacultureSymposium/11_07OrgAquaSymposiumPanelists.html

There will also be several posters presented as well. Note the international representation and perspectives that will be presented. The organic aquaculture symposium is scheduled for November 27 in Arlington Virginia the day before the next meeting of the National Organic Standards Board. George Lockwood, the chair of the NOSB Aquaculture Working Group will also make introductory comments at the outset of each panel to provide background information about recommendations from the Aquaculture Working Group.

If you are interested in this topic, this should be a great public event that will generate much debate and discussion. The draft organic standards for bivalve shellfish have also been posted by the NOSB for public review and comment. It is anticipated that the NOSB will direct more attention to organic aquaculture standards at the 2008 spring meeting as well. The government moves slow but is in fact moving forward on this important topic to aquaculture growers, consumers and seafood retailers. (USDA CSREES)

APHIS Makes Funding Available for Activities Related to the Control of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (Posted October 10, 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 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 Paul.G.Egrie@aphis.usda.gov

PROPOSED U.S. ORGANIC AQUACULTURE STANDARDS
SUPPLEMENT TO INTERIM FINAL REPORT (Bivalve Molluscs) (Posted August 13, 2007)

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) at its October 12–14, 2004, meeting recommended the formation of an aquatic animal taskforce to develop proposed production, handling, and labeling standards for food and animal feed products derived from aquatic animals. The taskforce would be divided into two working groups—one for animals that live and are harvested in the wild or open-sea (wild-caught working group) and another for animals that live and are harvested under aquaculture (aquaculture working group). (See August Archives for Greater Details)

Catfish Farmers of America Annual Convention
(Posted August 13, 2007)

Feb. 29-March 2, 2008
Hyatt Regency San Diego
San Diego, Calif.
For Information: email: catfishjournalth@bellsouth.net

61st ANNUAL PACIFIC COAST SHELLFISH GROWERS ASSOCIATION (PCSGA) & NATIONAL SHELLFISHERIES ASSOCIATION (NSA) ANNUAL SHELLFISH CONFERENCE (Posted August 13, 2007) and (August 28th, 2007)

The PCSGA and NSA events will be held October 9-12, 2007 at The Resort at the Mountain located in Welches, Oregon 97067. (See August Archives for Greater Details)

Registration for 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit
(Poster August 13, 2007)

Sponsored by NOAA, the summit will be held June 26-27, in Washington, D.C.
(See August Archives for Greater Details)

The 59th Pacific Fisheries Technologists (PFT) Meets in San Francisco (Posted August 13, 2007)

AQUACULTURE AMERICA 08' CALL FOR ABSTRACTS (Deadline September 1, 2007)
(Posted July 12, & July & August, 2007)

Aquaculture 08' America will be held in Buena Vista, Florida (Orlando) February 9-12, 2008. Some special meetings will begin on the 8th. The call for papers and abstract deadline for presenters is August 7th, 2007 CHANGED TO SEPTEMBER 1, 2007. For full information on the conference, hotel and conference registration and abstract submissions go to: https://www.was.org/meetings/ConferenceInfo.asp?MeetingCode=AA2008

PROPOSED U.S. ORGANIC AQUACULTURE STANDARDS
SUPPLEMENT TO INTERIM FINAL REPORT (Bivalve Molluscs) (Posted August 13, 2007)

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) at its October 12–14, 2004, meeting recommended the formation of an aquatic animal taskforce to develop proposed production, handling, and labeling standards for food and animal feed products derived from aquatic animals. The taskforce would be divided into two working groups—one for animals that live and are harvested in the wild or open-sea (wild-caught working group) and another for animals that live and are harvested under aquaculture (aquaculture working group).

In preparation for the October 2006 Meeting of the NOSB, the NOSB Livestock Committee invited further public comment on some of the questions that had arisen during its review of the proposed standards for finfish in its document entitled: Invitation for Public Comment on Aquaculture Standards, September 8, 2006 (PDF). Written and oral comments received in response to that invitation are available for viewing on the website under the October 2006 NOSB meeting.

At the March 2007 NOSB Meeting, the NOSB voted to accept the proposed finfish standards of the aquaculture working group but postponed their final vote on the sections involving the use of wild harvested fish meal and fish oil at up to 24% of the diet of finfish, open net pens in oceans, and compost in ponds. An aquaculture symposium on the use of fish meal, fish oil, and open net pens is scheduled for November 27, 2007, in Washington, DC. Abstracts are being reviewed by the Livestock Committee at this time. No recommendation on these outstanding issues will be made at the November 2007 NOSB meeting.

On July 9, 2007, the NOP received the Supplement to the Interim Final Report (Bivalve molluscs) (PDF). It has been submitted to NOSB for its review and acceptance at the November 2007 NOSB Meeting. In the meantime, the NOSB is seeking public comment on the Supplement to the Interim Final Report (Bivalve molluscs) of the aquaculture working group, until November 9, 2007.

With respect to receipt of comments by the NOSB during the comment period, the following provisions have been established to ensure that your comment will be received and reviewed by the Board:

• Mail: Persons may submit comments on listed Board recommendations by mail to: Valerie Frances, Executive Director, National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), National Organic Program, 1400 and Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4008 - South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-0001.

• E-mail: Comments may be sent via internet to NOSB.Livestock@usda.gov.

• Fax: Comments may be submitted by fax to (202) 205-7808.

In reviewing and commenting on the Supplement to the Interim Final Report (Bivalve molluscs) aquaculture working group’s interim final report, please consider and respond to the following criteria:

Do the recommended standards:
1. Communicate effectively?
2. Provide clear, context of scope, product coverage, and production systems?
3. Identify and address key stakeholders and their concerns and challenges?
4. Include vision and strategy for achieving consistency with organic principles demonstrated in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and its implementing regulations?
5. Present measurable objectives which are enforceable?
6. Present a clear expectation of targets and goals?

To review the Supplement to the Interim Final Report (Bivalve Molluscs) go to:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/TaskForces/AATFShellfishFINAL7-09-07.pdf

Catfish Farmers of America Annual Convention
(Posted August 13, 2007)

Feb. 29-March 2, 2008
Hyatt Regency San Diego
San Diego, Calif.
For Information: email: catfishjournalth@bellsouth.net

61st ANNUAL PACIFIC COAST SHELLFISH GROWERS ASSOCIATION (PCSGA) & NATIONAL SHELLFISHERIES ASSOCIATION (NSA) ANNUAL SHELLFISH CONFERENCE (Posted August 13, 2007) and (August 28th, 2007)

A major event at this years combined PCSGA-NSA Conference will be to discuss standards for the certification of molluscan aquaculture products, which make up one-quarter of the world’s aquaculture production. The purpose of the meeting is to finalize the list of key environmental and social impacts of mollusks aquaculture (e.g. transfer of diseases to wild caught species and harvesting techniques, such as dredging, that harm critical habitat), establish goals and objectives for the group and create a steering committee to spearhead the group’s work.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will convene several meetings of the Mollusk Aquaculture Dialogue over the next year to develop principles, criteria, and then credible, measurable and voluntary standards geared toward minimizing or eliminating the main environmental and social impacts caused by farming clams, oysters, abalone, scallops and mussels. Once finalized, the standards will be handed off to a certification entity to manage the system.

Certification could take a number of forms, from a buyer or investment screen to a third-party eco-labeled product sold in supermarkets and restaurants. Producers participating in such a program could benefit from preferential treatment from lending agencies, retailers or chefs, as well as increased or differentiated market access, and possibly, premium prices.

The PCSGA and NSA events will be held October 9-12, 2007 at The Resort at the Mountain located in Welches, Oregon 97067

For more information access the PCSGA web site at http://www.pcsga.org/ or at the following:

PCSGA Business Office
120 State Ave. NE, #142
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 754-2744
Fax: (360) 754-2743
pcsga@pcsga.org

Registration for 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit
(Poster August 13, 2007)

Sponsored by NOAA, the summit will be held June 26-27, in Washington, D.C. The summit will feature a broad agenda focused on the business opportunities and challenges for U.S. marine aquaculture. At the meeting, business leaders, policy experts, government officials, and researchers from across the nation will gather to exchange ideas and make recommendations on how the United States can join the global aquaculture community and accelerate the integration of domestic aquaculture into our own seafood production efforts.

Registration for the 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit is now available online on a first come-first serve basis. To register, go to www.Aquaculture2007.noaa.gov and follow the directions. The summit is free, but registration is required and space is limited. For more information, contact Kate.Naughten@noaa.gov.

The 59th Pacific Fisheries Technologists (PFT) Meets in San Francisco (Posted August 13, 2007)

PFT will meet February 3-6, 2008 in San Francisco, California at the Hotel Whitcomb. The 2008 theme of this international meeting, “Sea to Plate by the City of the Golden Gate,” emphasizes bridging communication.

Registration and an evening reception starts on February 3rd and the technical program starts at 8 AM on February 4th and ends by noon on February 6th. There will be oral and poster presentations. The call for papers seeks presentations in:

Aquaculture and Feeds · Biochemistry · Byproducts · Education/Extension · Engineering; Environmental Issues · Fish Harvesting and Handling · Marine Biology · Marketing · Microbiology; Processing · Regulatory Issues · Safety · Shellfish · Value-added Products · Waste Management

The due date for submitting abstracts is November 30, 2007. The technical presentation committee chair is Dr. Subramaniam Sathivel (Louisiana State University). Questions regarding PFT can also be emailed at: PFT2008@gmail.com

SPECIFIC NOSB QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED REGARDING PROPOSED U.S. ORGANIC AQUACULTURE STANDARDS (Posted July 6, 2007)

The National Organic Standards (NOSB) and the National Organic Program (NOP) are hosting an Organic Aquaculture Symposium on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 in conjunction with the Fall 2007 NOSB Meeting to be held Wednesday, November 28 through Friday, November 30, 2007 in Washington, DC. The purpose of the symposium is to obtain scientific and academic input to assist the NOSB in making final recommendations to the NOP on two major unresolved issues regarding the organic standards for finfish aquaculture. The symposium is scheduled for Nov. 27 and will precede the Fall 2007 meeting of the National Organic Standards Board scheduled 28-30 Nov. in Washington, DC.

Current Unresolved Issue Areas: (1) Compatibility of Open Cage Net Pens with organic aquaculture standards; (2) Alternative Nutritional Technologies to Fish Oil (12%) and Fish Meal (12%) at 24% of Total Feed.

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED

A. Compatibility of Open Cage Net Pens with organic aquaculture standards

1. How can open cage net pens be ecologically responsible? What requirements need to be included in the proposed regulation to assure this? How can the issues of water flow and rotational locations be included? What are the other issues?

2. Sea-lice: What is the prevalence or rate of sea lice infestation in wild fish populations where there are no net pens? What are the regional variations? Are sea lice infestations inherent with open cage net pen systems? How can they be controlled without prohibited substances in an organic system?

3. Escape: What is the current rate of escape in the conventional aquaculture and the developing organic aquaculture industry? How can the issue of escape be better controlled in an organic system than in a conventional ocean-based system? Are there any implications to containment farming of fish species not indigenous to that geographic area other than cross-breeding with native species?

4. Assimilation of waste: How much can any system expect to mitigate waste in outflow and settling of waste in open pen systems? Actual data regarding the inflow and outflow of nutrients of existing operations claiming sustainable practices would be the most helpful.

5. Predators: What is the risk to and from predators in open pen systems? In relation to language in the AWG document, in what ways is the section on predators adequate, or in need of changing, etc?

6. Migratory issues: How is migration a valid issue for these fish at the stage of life when they would be housed in open net pen systems? If so, what are these issues and their implications?

B. Alternative nutritional technologies to Fish Meal (12%) & Fish Oil (12%) at 24% of Total Feed

1. What alternative nutritional technology is available, or in development, to fish meal and fish oil for fish that have a high requirement for nutrients provided in these feedstuffs? What are the prospects for research to yield new knowledge that would make it possible for fish meal and oil levels in feeds for farmed fish species to be reduced below the proportions in the diet that are considered the minimum today?

2. Would these alternatives meet the principles of organic production for allowance as a feed source?

3. Would the fish product resulting from the use of these alternative feed sources be considered nutritionally comparable for humans to fish consuming feed from their natural environment regarding such nutrients as omega-3 fatty acids?

4. What is the feed conversion rate of these different technologies compared to the traditional diets in current conventional and organic confinement systems? How would the feed conversion ratio be affected by using alternative protein and oil sources that were compatible with organic principles compared to current commercial diets containing fish meal and oil?

5. What is the state-of-the-art with regard to the minimum percentages of fish meal and oil needed in feeds for commercially important farmed fish species that currently are reared using feeds containing relatively high proportions of fish meal and oil?

6. Is utilization of wild-caught sources in organic fish farming systems feasible or acceptable to the organic community? Why or why not?

7. How can fish meal and fish oil from the waste processing stream of wild caught fish sources only coming from sustainably-fished species be separated and segregated in "the real world" from non-sustainably-fished species?

8. If wild-caught fish meal and fish oil were to be allowed as feed for organic fish, what would be a realistic time frame until organic sources of fish meal become available? Are wild caught sources feasible? What wild fish sourcing guidelines should be placed on the various potential fishery industries and what governmental agencies or NGO’s should be utilized to monitor these fisheries? Special consideration should be given to consider that many of these fisheries would be out of US waters.

9. If the farmed fish species are the source of fish meal and fish oil, what are the implications of this practice? Discuss the environmental footprint of such procedures especially related to feed supply and environmental waste.

USDA REOPENS COMMENT PERIOD FOR INTERIM FINAL RULE FOR MANDATORY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING (COOL) OF FISH AND SHELLFISH. (Posted June 25, 2007)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is reopening the comment period for 60 days for the Interim Final Rule (IFR) for mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for fish and shellfish covered commodities.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is reopening the comment period to request general comments on the IFR, which has been in effect for over two years. The comments received by USDA will be used to promulgate a final rule for mandatory COOL for fish and shellfish, and to the extent applicable, other covered commodities.

USDA published the COOL requirements for fish and shellfish as an IFR in the Oct. 5, 2004, Federal Register, with an effective date of April 4, 2005. The IFR requires designated retailers and their suppliers to notify customers of the country of origin and method of production of specified fish and shellfish products and maintain specific records to verify claims. The full text of the IFR can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool/COOLfr.pdf.

Details of the comment period reopening will be published in the June 20 issue of the Federal Register. Comments are due August 20 and should be submitted online at www.regulations.gov. Additional means of comment submission are via e-mail to cool@usda.gov; by mail to Country of Origin Labeling Program, Room 2607-S, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0254, Washington, DC 2025-0254; or by fax to (202) 720 – 1112. Additional information on this and the COOL program can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool .

New Global Aquatic Vet Association Formed. (Posted: June 22, 2007)

The first Annual General Meeting of the newly formed Aquatic Veterinary Association (AqVA) will be held on July 18, 2007 in Washington DC, USA, in conjunction with the144th AVMA Annual Convention.

The mission of the Aquatic Veterinary Association will be:

"To serve the discipline of aquatic veterinary medicine in enhancing
aquatic animal health and welfare, public health, and seafood safety in
support of the veterinary profession, aquatic animal industries and
other stakeholders".

The purpose of the Association is:

* To serve aquatic veterinary medicine practitioners of many disciplines
and backgrounds by developing programs to support and sustain members
and the aquatic species industries that they serve.

* To identify, foster and strengthen professional and political
interactions among aquatic medicine practitioners and other
organizations around the world.

* To advocate for, develop guidance on, and promote the advancement of
the science, ethics and professional aspects of aquatic animal medicine
within the veterinary profession and a wider audience.

* To optimally position and advance the discipline of aquatic veterinary
medicine, and support the practice of aquatic veterinary medicine in all
countries.

Registration for 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit Open
(Posted June 19, 2007)

Sponsored by NOAA, the summit will be held June 26-27, in Washington, D.C. The summit will feature a broad agenda focused on the business opportunities and challenges for U.S. marine aquaculture. At the meeting, business leaders, policy experts, government officials, and researchers from across the nation will gather to exchange ideas and make recommendations on how the United States can join the global aquaculture community and accelerate the integration of domestic aquaculture into our own seafood production efforts.