For Hometown News
ST. LUCIE COUNTY -
Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Aquaculture Training and Education Center will host a series of workshops in October.
Beginner and intermediate programs will be available that cover husbandry of various aquaculture species, hatchery techniques, system design, and operation and management of facilities.
HBOI research faculty and collaborating scientists from partner institutions serve as workshop instructors.
The following courses will be offered in October :
. Fish culture techniques will be held on Oct. 15-16. This two-day beginner-to- intermediate workshop highlights techniques used in maturation, spawning, larvae culture, and production of fresh water and marine food fish. Students will interact with HBOI scientists at the Harbor Branch research facilities and learn techniques through laboratories and classroom presentations.
Topics covered will include site selection, facility design, live feeds and health management.
. Recirculating aquaculture systems: principles of design and operation will be held on Oct. 17-18.This two-day workshop provides in-depth training on the design, operation and management of recirculating systems for culturing fresh and saltwater fish. Participants will gain a fundamental knowledge of the principles influencing design decision and will acquire the skills necessary to build their own recirculating system.
Instructors include James Ebeling, consulting aquaculture engineer and Michael Timmons from Cornell University.
. Principles of aquaponics and hydroponics will be held on Oct. 19-20. This two-day, beginner workshop will provide practical training in the design and development of sustainable aquaponics systems. Participants will learn basic principles of water quality, fish culture, hydroponics and will build a small demonstration system.
Instructors include Michael Timmons and Melissa Brechner from Cornell University and James Ebeling, consulting aquaculture engineer.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University is a research institute dedicated to exploration, innovation, conservation and education related to the oceans.
Harbor Branch was founded in 1971 as a private nonprofit organization. In December 2007, Harbor Branch joined Florida Atlantic University. The institute specializes in ocean engineering, at-sea operations, drug discovery and biotechnology from the oceans, coastal ecology and conservation, marine mammal research and conservation, aquaculture and marine education.
Each workshop costs $300. Registration deadline is Oct. 5. All sessions are held at Harbor Branch, located at 5600 U.S. 1 North in Fort Pierce.
Visit www.aquaculture-online.org for more information and registration.