Source:  NCDA&CS, 1/19/10

The 22nd annual North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference will be held in Atlantic Beach at the Sheraton Hotel on Jan. 22 and 23, featuring a trade show, the Aquafood Festival, plus educational and social activities.

The two-day conference will cover a range of topics, including marketing, trends, start-up strategies, industry updates and more.

Conference registrants will be able to attend self-guided farm tours in the area on Jan. 21, which will showcase mariculture facilities in Eastern North Carolina. Guest speakers at this year’s conference include Dr. Gary Jensen, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Dr. Barbara Blakistone, from the National Fisheries Institute; Sally Eason of Sunburst Trout; and Nell Halse of Cooke Aquaculture in Canada will provide the keynote address on seafood safety.

The conference is organized by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, N.C. Aquaculture Association, N.C. Farm Bureau Federation, N.C. Sea Grant Program, N.C. Small Business and Technology Development Center, and N.C. State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Anyone with an interest in fish or shellfish farming, including prospective growers, researchers, teachers, students or agency persons with jobs related to aquaculture, are encouraged to attend. The conference is also suited to persons who sell goods or services to the aquaculture industry. The N.C. Shellfish Growers Association will hold its annual meeting Jan. 23, after the final session.

On-site registration is $150 per person or $65 for students. For more information, go to www.ncaquaculture.org or call (252) 633-1477.