North Carolina Sea Grant will host a free shellfish aquaculture workshop on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, with a focus on oyster aquaculture, will be held at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Center for Marine Science at 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane.
The sessions are being held in cooperation with the North Carolina Shellfish Growers Association, UNCW Center for Marine Science, and Carteret Community College. The meeting is funded through a grant from the NOAA Sea Grant Extension and Technology Transfer Program.
Participants will receive information on topics such as leasing and siting their operations, culture gear and techniques, harvest and storage regulations, marketing strategies including the potential of forming grower co-ops, and USDA programs available to producers.
Ami Wilbur, director of the UNCW Shellfish Research Hatchery, will provide an overview of research and a tour of research facilities. In addition, Bill Walton, who researches fisheries, restoration and aquaculture at Auburn University, will discuss how oyster aquaculture is being expanded in the Gulf of Mexico. Jay Styron, president of the N.C. Shellfish Growers Association, will offer a grower’s perspective on oyster farming in North Carolina.
Lunch will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required and will be limited to 75 attendees.
For more information, visit ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/aquaculture.
source: North Carolina Sea Grant