US: Virginia State Fish School focuses on aquaponics

Virginia State University's Aquaculture Program will hold its annual three-day Fish School Wednesday, July 6 through Friday, July 8, at the Randolph Farm Pavilion located on 4415 River Road, Petersburg. The program begins at 8 a.m. and ends around 4 p.m. each day.

Local sustainable aquaculture production of catfish, freshwater shrimp and tilapia will be the focus of this year’s Fish School. Morning classroom lectures followed by afternoon hands-on participation will cover pond, cage and greenhouse aquaponic management practices. Registrants will have the opportunity to participate in pond and cage stocking, water quality testing, seining, building fish cages, and fish and shrimp transport and stocking, as well as tour a processing facility and a greenhouse with an aquaponic facility.

“Raising fish at home could open up many profitable opportunities,” said Dr. Brian Nerrie, Virginia Cooperative Extension Aquaculture Specialist at Virginia State University. “Home or farm raised fish could easily be sold for profit at farmers markets, direct from your farm or to local restaurants. There is a huge demand for locally sourced food, including seafood.”

There is a $30 per person registration fee for the three-day educational activity, which includes lunch all three days.

To register for this event, visit www.ext.vsu.edu/calendar, click on the July 6 VSU Fish School event and click on the registration form. To register by phone, for more information, or if you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, contact Debra Jones at (804) 524-5496/TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.