Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

SERA-IEG-9 Annual Meeting June 6-8, 2004 Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas June 6, 2004 An afternoon tour of Andersons minnow farm, Keo fish farm, and Pools fish farm was provided to interested participants. A reception was held that evening in the Hospitality room of the Hampton Inn. June 7, 2004 Dr. Carole Engle opened the meeting at approximately 8:30 by welcoming participants to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She thanked Dr. Rebecca Lochmann as well as other staff and graduate students for their work on making the meeting a success. Dr. Engle reminded participants about the accomplishment reports that were available in the lobby. Carole then introduced Dr. Jimmy Avery as chair of SERA-IEG-9. Jimmy made some comments about SERA-IEG-9 activities and made a PowerPoint presentation about the evolution of SERA-IEG-9 from S-168 in 1981, SRIEG-41 in 1986, until the current group in 1991. He reviewed the objectives outlined in the recent project renewal request and pointed out challenges such as documenting impact and developing outreach opportunities. Jimmy also reviewed the history of meeting locations and called for a host institution to volunteer for 2005. Dr. Avery introduced Dr. Jim Rakocy of the University of the Virgin Islands who is Administrative Advisor for this information exchange group. An Industry Panel discussed research and Extension issues. Dr. Eric Park, President of the Arkansas Bait and Ornamental Fish Growers Association, discussed needs of the baitfish and ornamental fish growers. Bo Collins, Executive Director of Catfish Farmers of Arkansas, discussed needs of the catfish industry. Dr. Lochman then provided an overview of how the information exchange groups would be handled. A facilitator and co-facilitator (graduate student) were assigned for each group. The Economics, Fish Health, Alternative Culture methods, and Engineering groups met from 10:00 am until 11:45 am. The exchange groups adjourned at 11:45 am for lunch and a tour of the UAPB aquaculture and fisheries facilities. After returning from the tour, the following work groups convened: Gentics, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Shellfish. These groups met until 3:30 pm. The final session of exchange group meetings (Water Quality, Potential Culture Species, Yield Verification, and Management of Small Impoundments) met from 3:45 pm until 4:45 pm. Later in the evening, participants were treated to a catfish supper at the waterfront facility at Regional Park. June 8, 2004 Avery opened the general session at 8:30 am and called for reports from USDA/CSREES and Centers represented. Dr. Gary Jensen, USDA/CSREES National Program Leader for Aquaculture, discussed national issues relating to effluents, organic standards for aquaculture, and JSA activities. Dr. Craig Tucker, SRAC Director, reported on Regional Center activities, funding, and projects. Dr. Ken Davis reported on position vacancies and research priorities at the USDA ARS Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Facility. Dr. Carole Engle introduced Jacquelyn McCray, Dean of the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, to welcome the group. She apologized for not being able to welcome the group on the first day but unforeseen circumstances kept her busy. Then, reports of the information exchange groups that met the previous day were provided by the following people: Genetics  Brian Small Economics  Kwamena Quagrainie Water Quality  Peter Pershbacher Potential Culture Species  Bauer Duke Yield Verification  Steeve Pomerleau Nutrition  Delbert Gatlin Food Safety  Jin Kim Aquaculture Engineering  Phil Pearson Fish Health  Kelly Winningham Shellfish  Bart Green Alternative Culture Methods  Bauer Duke Management of Small Impoundments  Wesley Neal General summaries of information exchanged by these various groups will be posted on the SERA-IEG-9. Thanks were extended to all who agreed to prepare reports. Jimmy Avery asked the group if this time of year was more conducive than the typical early spring meeting time. The group was in general agreement that summer was better due to low class load and no competing meetings. Ken Davis urged the group to continue to bring students to the meeting. Prior to adjourning the meeting, Carole Engle, Rebecca Lochmann, staff, and graduate students were thanked for their kind hospitality in hosting this years meeting. A host for next years meeting was then discussed. Brian Nerrie also indicated he would check with his administrators at Virginia State University about possibly hosting next years meeting of SERA-IEG-9. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:30 a.m.