The USDA 2005 Census of  Aquaculture ranks Virginia in the top ten US producers of aquaculture products.  To highlight the continuing expansion and successes of Virginia’s aquaculture industry, the Virginia Aquaculture Conference is scheduled for November 16 and 17, 2007, in Williamsburg, VA.  The Conference is being organized by a multi-disciplinary group including the Virginia Sea Grant Program, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Virginia Aquaculture Association and the academic institutions of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (College of William and Mary), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), and Virginia State University.
                                                                                                                     
The Virginia Aquaculture Conference is designed for those already in the aquaculture industry, and those who are considering starting an aquaculture business.  It will provide an opportunity to learn about current or upcoming issues, new developments in culture technology, and interact with others with similar interests.  A trade show will accompany the program providing direct contact with aquaculture supply vendors.  Both shellfish and finfish culture activities will be addressed during the two-day program, as well as topics of interest to both groups, such as marketing, financial and regulator resources.  As part of the opening day festivities, there will be a Gala Aquaculture Reception, featuring Virginia aquaculture products, including hard clams, oysters, cobia, tilapia, mountain trout, hybrid striped bass, catfish and freshwater prawns.  Virginia Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bloxom will be on hand to welcome participants.                 

November 16 will feature a special session on the developing commercial oyster culture industry using spat-on-shell technology.  The Virginia Aquaculture Association will hold a membership and board of directors meeting, prior to the Gala Aquaculture Reception on the 16th.

Dr. Gary Jensen, National Program Leader for Aquaculture with the USDA, will discuss the evolution and direction of US aquaculture on the 17th.  Following that presentation, Mr. Dick Jones, Director of Seafood for H-E-B Grocery Company, the 16th largest US grocer and largest privately-held company in Texas, will address aquaculture products in the retail sector.  These two keynote addresses will set the tone for the remainder of the Conference. Plenary sessions will feature presentations on funding/financing opportunities for aquaculture and regulatory aspects of both fresh and salt water aquaculture.

The afternoon of November 17 will feature several concurrent sessions.  One session will be directed towards the expanding freshwater culture industry with updates on culture activities for catfish, hybrid striped bass, freshwater prawns, aquaponics, tilapia and cobia.  Complimenting the morning presentation on the retail sector, niche marketing and the newly established Virginia Aquafarmers Network (VAN) will be highlighted.  On the saltwater culture side, a session addressing national and state regulatory issues, options for post-harvest treatment of cultured shellfish, and the development of best management practices for shellfish aquaculture will interest those in shellfish culture.  The final afternoon session is intended for educators wishing to integrate aquaculture into their education plans; this special session will be limited in attendance.                                                   

Registration for all events, including the Gala Aquaculture Reception, is $50.00, prior to October 19, 2007 ($75 after).  Online registration is available at, point on “Conference Registration”, click on “Virginia Aquaculture Conference” and follow the directions.  The Conference will be held at the George Washington Inn and Conference Center, 500 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185, where a block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at a rate of $70.00 per night.  Call 757-220-1410 to make your reservation and please mention that you are with the Virginia Aquaculture Conference in order to receive the conference rate.

Any questions regarding the Virginia Aquaculture Conference may be directed to Michael Oesterling, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 804-684-7165, mike@vims.edu.

Saturday, October 27, 2007
Pond Management Workshop in Charlotte County

For more information, contact Dr. Brian L. Nerrie, VSU aquaculture extension specialist, at (804) 524-5903 or e-mail bnerrie@vsu.edu.