SERA-IEG-9 2002 Annual Meeting Minutes
March 17-22, 2002
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez and University of the Virgin
Islands, St. Croix
March 17, 2002
A welcome reception was hosted by Dr. John Kubaryk at the
Villa Parguera Hotel on Sunday evening.
March 18, 2002
The meeting was opened by John Kubaryk, Associate Director of
the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Puerto Rico, at approximately 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the Villa Parguera
Hotel. John welcomed participants and then provided some introductory remarks concerning
aquaculture in Puerto Rico. He also described some of the research and extension activities
associated with the Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaquez.
Then Del Gatlin, chair of SERA-IEG-9, extended his welcome to the group and provided some
brief comments about the status of this particular exchange group. Gatlin then asked
participants to introduce themselves. Listed below is each
participant and their affiliation.
Del Gatlin, Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University
Tom Hill, Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee
John Kubaryk, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Michael Masser, Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University
Charlie Shultz, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix
Jim Tidwell, Kentucky State University
Granvil Treece, Sea Grant College
Program, Texas A&M University
Greg Whitis, Auburn University
Due to the small number of participants, separate exchange groups did not meet. Instead,
the participants engaged in a general discussion of current activities in aquaculture at
regional and federal levels.
Michael Masser provided a brief overview of activities
associated with the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center including previously funded
projects and the most recent project under development.
An update on EPA effluent guidelines also was given by Masser
and Gatlin. It was mentioned that EPA was currently interacting with representatives of
small business and gathering other information as the initial ruling deadline of June 2002
approaches. It was indicated that a 2-year comment period will be allowed before final
rules will go into effect.
Granvil Treece commented on a project associated with
the Hurricane Mitch Recovery efforts in Honduras. Russ Allen was head of that project which was recently completed.
Gary Jensen oversaw the training effort which included topics such as HACCP, diseases,
zero water exchange, economics and site selection. Best Management Practices for shrimp
production also were developed in conjunction with this project.
After a short break, each participant provided a brief update of activities at their
institution.
Greg Whitis reviewed ongoing research projects at Auburn involving red snapper, red
tilapia, hybrid catfish, and inland shrimp, as well as a high school aquaculture program
and a yield verification project with catfish.
Tom Hill informed the group of new lab and fish-culture facilities on the campus of the University of Tennessee as well as a new pond
facility at Springfield.
Most of the research is being directed towards Macrobrachium
as there is much interest in culturing this species in the county bordering Kentucky. There also is some interest
in catfish production in cages and ponds along with some culture of tilapia in
recirculating systems.
Michael Masser mentioned the expanding catfish industry in Texas located south of Houston. There are now 1200-1400
acres in production. Hybrid striped bass production also is expanding in the state;
whereas, crawfish production continues to decline.
Granvil Treece indicated there are a total of 20
penaeid shrimp farms in Texas with 14 located on the coast and six in west Texas. In 2001 there was a total of 8
million pounds of shrimp produced in Texas.
Jim Tidwell reported that the Aquaculture Program at Kentucky State University was recognized by the state as a Program of Distinction. Research and
Extension efforts are continuing with freshwater shrimp, largemouth bass, channel catfish
and paddlefish.
Charlie Shultz of the University of the Virgin Islands provided an overview of the aquaponics
program at St. Croix. He
described the current activities of culturing tilapia in green water along with various aquaponic crops. He also mentioned they offer an intensive shortcourse in aquaponics during the
summer.
Participants then had lunch at the Villa Parguera Hotel.
After lunch, John Kubaryk took participants on a tour of the
marine field (island) station of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez.
The meetings adjourned at approximately 4:00 p.m. Later in the evening, participants toured Phosphorescent Bay.
March 19, 2002
The group assembled at 7:30 a.m. to tour various university and commercial aquaculture facilities in
the La Parguera area. The first stop was the research facility
of the University of Puerto Rico. Included at this
facility was an earthen pond complex, Macrobrachium
hatchery and a seafood processing laboratory. The group then travelled
to a pond complex that was previously operated as a commercial Macrobrachium
facility. The University of Puerto Rico now operates this facility for applied research and demonstration.
The tropical fish production facility owned by Mike McGee was then toured. Mike was in the
process of bagging fish for distribution and was able to show the various species produced
on site including freshwater angelfish, gouromis, swordtails
and platys. The group returned to the hotel and prepared to travel to St. Croix.
March 20, 2002
Members of SERA-IEG-9 travelled to St. Croix. Terry Hansen of Mississippi State University joined the group at Hotel Caravelle.
March 21, 2002
The group met with Jim Rakocy and staff including Charlie
Shultz, Eric Thoman and Don Bailey, on the campus of the University of Virgin Islands. Jim provided an
overview of current activities associated with the aquaponics
program. Then the group discussed various topics related to aquaculture in the southern
region including: a) an update on ongoing SRAC projects including the Harvesting and
Disease projects; b) discussion of the Basa catfish
issue; c) status of the INAD for sex reversal of tilapia; and d) advancements in Penaid shrimp production. Participants then briefly reviewed the
status of their individual and/or institutional programs.
The group adjoined for lunch in the university cafeteria. After lunch, the group was given
an extensive tour of the aquaponics facilities on campus. On
the way back to the hotel, the group was shown various sites of interest on the island.
March 22, 2002
During the morning and afternoon, the group went on a tour of Buck Island. After returning
from Buck Island, the group traveled to Hotel Carabolla for a
buffet banquet after which the 2002 meeting of SERA-IEG-9 concluded.
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