Trials and Tribulations of Aquaponics Trials and Tribulations of Aquaponics

32 Pages·2015·11.07 MB·English

2015 JOURNAL
Trials and
Tribulations
of Aquaponics
22001155 OOAAAA
CCoonnffeerreennccee HHiigghhlliigghhttss!!
PPLLUUSS……
AA HHaappppyy FFiisshh iiss aa HHeeaalltthhyy FFiisshh
The Official Publication of the Ohio Aquaculture Association
YOUR PARTNER IN A
CHANGING WORLD
Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems offers solutions and expertise In an industry with small margins for
error, the importance of quality and
to improve growing conditions in any environment from
reliability can’t be overstated. You’ll find
recirculating aquaculture systems to improving water
every solution you need, including:
conditions in pens. Pentair AES can help you improve
• Biofiltration
results in any part of the growing cycle.
• Influent Treatment
Pentair AES employs experts in coldwater aquaculture—
• Effluent Management
pioneers in the industry who earned their knowledge
• Gas Balancing
by running operations of their own—to provide the best
• Disinfection
possible solutions for cold-water aquaculture facilities,
from hatcheries to grow-out and everything in between. • Solids Removal
• Oxygenation
From new builds, retrofits or even troubleshooting,
• Water Quality & Movement
Pentair AES has expertise and solutions to help your
cold-water operation. • Monitoring
FOR WORKSHOPS & TRAINING,
VISIT PENTAIRAES.COM
Online Orders: PentairAES.com • Email: [email protected] • Phone Orders and Tech Advice: 877.347.4788
2395 Apopka Blvd., Apopka, Florida 32703
© 2015 Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Features
12
YOUR PARTNER IN A
5 Why Choose U.S. Farm Raised
Products
By the National Aquaculture Association
CHANGING WORLD
12 Truths and Myths about
Aquaponics
16 By Charlie Shultz, Aquaponics Specialist,
Lethbridge College
16 Trials and Triublations
Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems offers solutions and expertise In an industry with small margins for of Aquaponics
to improve growing conditions in any environment from error, the importance of quality and By Jeni Blackburn, Fresh Harvest Farms.
reliability can’t be overstated. You’ll find
recirculating aquaculture systems to improving water
22 A Happy Fish is a Healthy Fish!
every solution you need, including:
conditions in pens. Pentair AES can help you improve By William Lynch, Millcreek Perch Farm, LLC
• Biofiltration 22
results in any part of the growing cycle.
24 Harmful Algal Blooms, Culture
• Influent Treatment
Ponds, and the Basics of Mitigation
Pentair AES employs experts in coldwater aquaculture—
• Effluent Management and Management
pioneers in the industry who earned their knowledge
By Eugene Braig, OSUE, School of Environment and
• Gas Balancing
by running operations of their own—to provide the best Natural Resources
• Disinfection
possible solutions for cold-water aquaculture facilities,
26 Farm Bureau leads Healthy
from hatcheries to grow-out and everything in between. • Solids Removal
Water Coalition
24
• Oxygenation By Dr. Leah Dorman, Ohio Farm Bureau
From new builds, retrofits or even troubleshooting,
Pentair AES has expertise and solutions to help your • Water Quality & Movement 28 Interpreting the 2013 Census
of Aquaculture
cold-water operation. • Monitoring
By Laura Tiu, Ph.D., University of Florida
DEPARTMENTS
26
4 From the President
6 OAA Board
8 Letter from the Editor
FOR WORKSHOPS & TRAINING,
10 Aqua News & Notes
VISIT PENTAIRAES.COM
30 Advertiser Index
31 Join OAA
Online Orders: PentairAES.com • Email: [email protected] • Phone Orders and Tech Advice: 877.347.4788
COVER PHOTO by Doug Blackburn
2395 Apopka Blvd., Apopka, Florida 32703
OhioAquaculture.org | 3
© 2015 Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
FROm THE PREsIDENT
Bill Lynch
Education, Education, Education…!
It is my privilege as the new incoming Ohio and it runs deep, very
Aquaculture Association (OAA) President to deep. My life experiences
communicate with you through our 3rd annual Ohio strengthened my belief
Aquaculture Magazine about my vision for the OAA in the value of education
over the next three years. Before I do so, I would be and my tenure in the
remiss in not acknowledging the fantastic job past- OSU Extension Program
president Bob Calala did for many years in this position. hardened that resolve.
Bob assumed the presidency at a time when the OAA Now hopefully, the
was divided and experiencing a lack of direction. Bob OAA board and I can
“righted-the-ship,” dedicating himself to the success of bring this passion to
the OAA. He expended countless hours (unpaid may I Ohio aquaculture and
point out) networking with elected officials, agencies, aquaponics and provide
universities, corporations, and other associations, always each of you with multiple
promoting both Ohio aquaculture and aquaponics but opportunities to educate yourselves. Multi-session
also the OAA. Great job, Bob! annual conference, 2 – 3 annual workshops, bus tours,
additional aquaculture boot camps, re-vamped website,
I firmly believe education is the cornerstone to
expanded quarterly newsletters, increased visibility of
entrepreneurial success and successful entrepreneurship
companies connected to and supporting our industry
is the cornerstone of this great country. Aquaculture
and any other innovative educational tools available to
and aquaponics require considerable personal dedication
the OAA will be used to the fullest extent possible. Please
to educating yourself to be successful. Yet, I sense
do take advantage of these opportunities!
too often individuals feel aquaculture & aquaponics
is easy, requiring little knowledge to be successful. However, you can educate yourself in other ways,
Nothing could be farther from the truth! What we do such as using the vast resources of the internet, county
or attempt to do is a form of agriculture, and ask any extension educators, workshops in adjacent states, or
farmer, agriculture can be fun but it is a stressful way even talking to a fellow fish culturist to share ideas.
of making a living. Successful farmers are constantly Don’t re-invent the wheel – just make it better!
educating themselves on a wide variety of topics – it is
The OAA will strive to include in our quarterly
no different for successfully raising fish.
newsletter and use our OAA email listserve to make
I spent the last 12 years of my 30 year employment you aware of these additional opportunities. To access
with The Ohio State University in its Extension all these opportunities, please consider being an OAA
Program. More specifically, I was the state program member! Members do receive a registration discount for
specialist for aquatic ecosystem management or workshops and our annual conference. A membership
more understandably, the state’s private pond and form is included in this magazine.
lake management specialist. One of the fundamental
The OAA is our state’s aquaculture organization and as
principles of any Extension program is to provide clients
such, should always be available to you and receptive to
with the information required so that he or she can
your ideas and concerns. While at OSU, I had an “open
make an informed decision for themselves. Notice I stated
door” policy, meaning anyone could come by or pick-up
“make an informed decision for themselves.” It is not the
the phone and talk with me about aquatic management.
OAA’s place, nor OSU Piketon’s, or anyone else to make
I will maintain the same policy as OAA President.
your decisions for you. But we can certainly provide
Always feel free to email me or call by phone and I’ll try
you with the tools, either actively or by pointing you in
to help in any way possible.
the right direction, such that you can make these critical
decisions for yourself. Let’s move forward together!
In my tenure as president, education will be a major Bill Lynch
focus! As I mentioned at the recent 2015 Ohio President, Ohio Aquaculture Association
Aquaculture Conference, education is in my blood
[email protected] | 614-579-6381
4 | | 2015
Why Choose U.S. Farm Raised Products?
From the National Aquaculture Association
The U.S. domestic aquaculture do not contain contaminants or illegal
industry is committed to supplying substances.
consumers with consistent, high
Stewardship of the world’s natural
quality, safe products that are
resources is everyone’s responsibility,
produced in an environmentally
and it is the goal of the domestic
sound manner. Numerous federal
aquaculture industry. Producers
and state agencies are involved with
work with the U.S. Environmental
maintaining the wholesome attributes
Protection Agency (EPA), the
of farm-raised seafood. The U.S. Food
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
and Drug Administration (FDA),
Administration Fisheries Program
working with State Departments
(NOAA), the U.S. Department of
of Agriculture and the American Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Fish and improves environmental conditions.
Association of Feed Control Officials Wildlife Service (USFWS), the U.S. The current regulatory system helps
(AAFCO), regulates aquaculture feeds Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), ensure U.S. aquaculture continues
to help ensure that they are safe and and numerous state environmental to be compatible with state and
agencies to ensure that they maintain federal water quality requirements
water quality, native fish stocks, and and complies with watershed
environmental quality. management plans.
An extensive state and federal The Ohio Aquaculture Association
permitting and enforcement monitors permitting, enforcement
program ensures that farms are and environmental changes and
established and maintained in a disseminates this information to its
manner that helps to minimize their members to ensure a safe, sustainable
environmental footprint and often supply of Ohio aquaculture products.
The Ohio Aquaculture Association
actively supports and promotes the culture
of aquatic species by participation of
Ohio Aquaculture Journal is published annually
individuals, partnerships, and corporations
by the Ohio Aquaculture Association. Statements
who have an interest in aquaculture, by
of fact and opinion in this publication, including
interacting with state and federal agencies/ editorial and advertisements are the sole
legislatures charged with regulating aquatic responsibility of the authors and advertisers and
do not necessarily reflect the opinions of OAA
culture, and by educating the public on the
officers, members, staff or other contributors.
culture of aquatic species. See page 31 for
Editor: Jim Brick, DVM
membership information. Associate Editor: Julie Moose
OAA Board of Directors Contributors:
Jeni Blackburn
President - Bill Lynch
Eugene Braig
Vice President - Jim Brick, DVM
Dr. Leah Dorman
Secretary - Dr. Dave Smith Estefania James
Treasurer - Renee Koerner Nick Jamison
Trustee - Jeni Blackburn William Lynch
Charlie Shultz
Trustee - Chris Kirk
Laura Tiu, Ph.D.
Trustee - Mark Remlinger
Graphics and production for
Past President - Bob Calala
Ohio Aquaculture Journal are provided by
NCRAC IAC - Bill Lynch
Phoenix Graphix Publishing Services,
NCRAC Alt - Dr. Dave Smith 444 N. Pearl St, Granville, Ohio 43023.
www.phoenixgraphix.us or 740.587.3659
Our Vision
For editorial or advertising inquiries, contact
The Ohio Aquaculture Association envisions a future aquaculture industry
Julie Moose at [email protected]
that contributes significantly to Ohio’s demand for aquatic products, is
or 614-604-8823.
based on a diversity of aquatic species and culture systems, and is conducted
Copyright ©2015 All Rights Reserved.
in a manner that protects and sustains our valuable natural resources.

FROm THE EDITOR
James O. Brick, DVm
Hello to all OAA members:
old, new and future.
This is the third edition of the OAA annual magazine. We,
the Board, feel it is a very worthwhile project and truly
represents the Ohio Aquaculture Association and its members.
By its name, the Ohio Aquaculture Association means all
aquaculturists in any part of Ohio.
The OAA is not limited to the members on the Board. For this
organization to work for everyone, everyone has to have some
input. Send us your ideas, concerns, items about people in
aquaculture, complaints, etc. We also want to hear from all of
the great vendors that have supported us through the years.
This magazine would not be possible without their generosity
and we greatly appreciate their support.
As many of you know, a few changes have occurred on
the Board since January 2015. Bob Calala, who has kept
this Association alive for many years, is now the official
past-president. I’m am sure Bob felt, at times, like giving up but thanks to his persistence we are
still here and growing.
Bill Lynch of Millcreek Perch Farms is our new president. Bill, having his own fish farm and
being the former Pond Management Specialist with OSU Extension, will be a great asset with
new ideas and emphasis on workshops and education.
Jeni Blackburn, co-owner/operator of Fresh Harvest Farms, a growing aquaponics facility, was
selected to fill the vacancy created when Bill Lynch was elected President. She joins Dr. Dave
Smith, Chris Kirk, Renee Koerner and Mark Remlinger in contributing ideas and sweat equity on
the Board.
The glue that holds it all together and continues to push us all in the same direction is Julie
Moose. Julie has an extensive background in aquaculture, computers and great organizational
skills.
In order to grow aquaculture in the state, we all must contribute ideas and be part of the
growth. In that regard, we are lucky to have the support from OSU Extension in Piketon and
Dr. Tony Forshey, State Veterinarian from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. No one in Ohio
works harder on behalf of aquaculture than the providers of these two programs.
Please be assured, there is a great future and opportunity in aquaculture in Ohio. If you want
to contribute and be an integral part of that growth, please join the OAA today. Simply fill
out the membership application on page 31 and begin receiving discounts on OAA events,
taking advantage of exclusive OAA member discounts with participating vendors, and most
importantly, supporting our efforts to grow a sustainable aquaculture industry in Ohio.
Couldn’t get much better.
8 | | 2015
Present your
OAA Membership
card to receive
this discount!
Board Update
OAA membership Triples
During the January OAA Annual Meeting, Bill Lynch,
owner/operator of Millcreek Perch Farm, was elected
With our renewed focus on
to serve as President for the next three years. Bill is
education and the continued
also Ohio’s North Central Regional Aquaculture Center
growth of the aquaponics
(NCRAC) Representative and former OSU Extension
industry, the OAA has been able
Pond Management Educator. Bill pledged to focus on
to triple their membership from
education for aquaculture and aquaponics producers
last year. This gives us great
under his leadership.
optimism about the potential for
Jim Brick, DVM, was re-elected as Vice President, a further growth in aquaculture
position he will also serve for three years. Jim has been and aquaponics in our state.
instrumental in publishing the annual OAA Journal and
With strength in numbers come additional
serves on Ohio’s fish health advisory Board.
opportunities for us to positively impact the industry
During the February Board Meeting, Jeni Blackburn, and provide more resources for our members. We
co-owner/operator of Fresh Harvest Farms, LLC, was are expanding our website presence, providing more
appointed to fulfill the Trustee vacancy due to Bill’s membership contact and working with industry
move to President. Jeni will be a great asset to the partners to streamline efforts.
organization as she brings a wealth of knowledge of the
We truly appreciate each and every one of you who
aquaponics industry.
support the organization and invite those who are not a
Board members continuing their terms are Dave Smith, part to join today. Together, we can make Ohio a leader
Secretary; Renee Koerner, Treasurer; Chris Kirk, Trustee; in the aquaculture and aquaponics industries.
and Mark Remlinger, Trustee. Bob Calala serves as Past
President.
The Board meets the fourth Tuesday of each month 21st Annual Engineering Design of
via conference call and face to face each summer
Recirculating Aquaculture (RAs),
and winter. OAA members interested in serving
on the Board should contact Bill Lynch at info@ Hydroponic, and Aquaponic
ohioaquaculture.org.
systems short Course
Cornell University will be offering the 21st Annual
Engineering Design of Recirculating Aquaculture (RAS),
Aquaponics Workshop
Hydroponic, and Aquaponic Systems Short Course, June
July 10-11, 2015 23-25, 2015 in Newburgh, NY. Participants can also
attend virtually through an on-line option available for
Piketon, Ohio
those who cannot travel to participate in class.
The OAA is proud to sponsor this two-day workshop
featuring some of the top industry experts in the field. The course is intended to give a thorough coverage
Registration information can be found at of the engineering design,
http://ohioaquaculture.org/events. operation, and management
of water reuse systems.
Coverage of hydroponics
and aquaponics is also
included, and it is taught at
a level appropriate for all
educational backgrounds
and experience levels.
http://ohioaquaculture.org For complete details, visit
http://fish.bee.cornell.edu/short-course-info/
10 | | 2015