Aquaculture conference will be Feb. 11&12

The 23rd annual N.C. Aquaculture Development Conference will be held Feb. 11 and 12 at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Atlantic Beach.

The conference includes presentations and workshops featuring local and national aquaculture leaders. A variety of topics will be discussed, ranging from global marketing and disease management to new technology and research updates.

The event also will feature a trade show, an Aqua-Food Fest and other networking opportunities. On Feb. 10, attendees can participate in a self-guided tour of aquaculture farms and research facilities in Wallace, Currie and Wrightsville Beach. The N.C. Shellfish Growers Association will hold its annual meeting following the final session on Feb. 12.

Guest speakers include David Alves, fishery management specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Tom Ellis, agricultural member of the N.C. Environmental Management Commission; Andy Goodwin, professor at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; Steven Hudlund, editor of SeafoodSource.com; and Craig Watson, director and research coordinator for the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in Florida.

The conference is sponsored by the N.C. Aquaculture Association, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, N.C. Farm Bureau Federation, N.C. Sea Grant Program, N.C. Shellfish Growers Association, N.C. Small Business and Technology Development Center, N.C. State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Waterlife Design Group, Southern Aquaculture Supply and Carolina Classics Catfish Inc.

The conference brings together current and prospective fish farmers, regulatory agencies and researchers to exchange information and ideas. For more details and registration information, go to www.ncaquaculture.org.