NYSAquaNews Vol. 3 #1 March 15, 2010
Speaking Out For Aquaculture
It has been a year since the last newsletter and we have been busy advocating for aquaculture with mixed results. Last spring we participated in the annual Farm Bureau Lobby Days 2009 event in Albany. We were able to gain support for the legalization of
selling black bass to third party vendors like restaurants, supermarkets, etc. The bill passed the NYS Assembly and was positioned for a vote in the NYS Senate when 5 weeks of political chaos caused pending legislation to be sidelined for another calendar
year. We were disappointed, but undaunted by this setback. In the ensuing months members of the executive council and growers alike met with political leaders in an attempt to get the bass legislation back on track. If things go well, we feel the Assembly
and Senate will be revisiting these bills this spring.
In February I represented New York aquaculture at the American Farm Bureau Commodity Advisory Conference in San Antonio, Texas. This was a very interesting and informative gathering of agriculture leadership whose task it was to formulate goals
for shaping agricultural legislation at the national level. Each commodity had its own committee and focus. The aquaculture committee was comprised of 13 individuals representing fish farmers from all over the country. Many of these people were fish
farmers themselves and voiced concerns from other grass roots growers in their area. As we discussed a number of issues and got to know others on the committee, it became evident that fish farmers everywhere had many of the same concern as we do
in New York. In a nutshell, the high cost of regulation is driving many fish farmers out of business. Whether it be fish health inspections, insect & weed control, effluent water discharge, animal rights activists, illegal foreign workers or the dumping of cheap fish products from foreign vendors, growers in the USA are being squeezed from all directions. The result of all these pressures is that American growers are finding it more difficult to compete in the market place without substantial government support.
As I speak with legislators from all levels of government, I am beginning to realize that they truly need to hear from people on the farms growing the crops. Legislators generally want to help growers prosper and produce wholesome food for public
consumption. Pressure groups with varying agendas however, are having legislation proposed that work against growers and are driving up the cost of doing business. To counter these corrosive elements, it is imperative that each of us voice our concerns to
law makers during town meetings, governmental hearings, comment periods for pending legislation and so on. Let legislators know how proposed laws and regulations will impact your competitiveness in the marketplace and effect new laws will have on the
local community. Advocating for aquaculture at the local level will have a definite positive effect on shaping legislation. Elected officials need and want to hear from you. So when the opportunity arises, take the initiative and discuss concerns you have with
your local law makers. It will make a difference.
Eureka !!! Fish Processing Facility in New York State
In the March 20, 2009 edition of NYSAquaNews an article appeared discussing preliminary planning for the establishment of a Fish Processing facility in New York State. The concept was simple, growers would product food size fish, send them for
processing and sell them to the public. The goal of the article was to inform growers that the Association had established this project as a long term goal and to sensitize them to the many regulatory, logistical and marketing factors that would have to be
worked out before such a facility could become a reality. The future is NOW!!! A fish processing facility is already in existence and wants your food fish business! Unbeknownst to me, the Eden Brook Fish Company in Monticello, New York has been
processing and marketing food fish to the public for more than 25 years. Jon Wallach, an association member and owner of the facility, read the article and called me to let me know he is operating a fish processing facility and would be able to process,
package, label and even market food size fish for growers right now. We don’t have to set up a facility; it is operational now and looking for more growers to supply fish. Initially we were thinking 5 to 8 years down the road for establishing such a facility, but
it’s already here and ready to go. Fish growers can produce a product, have it processed, packaged, and marketed in one easy step. This facility could be a key factor in developing New York State’s aquaculture industry in the Monticello area. Fish
farmers will be able to market their product easily and efficiently. Expensive fish health inspection fees are eliminated since they are not needed for growing food fish. All we need to do is grow the fish, send them to the processing plant (much like dairy farmers
ship milk) and have Jon market them. Once the fish are there, you’re done; marketing is part of the process. No fuss, No muss, get your check in the mail. Jon tells me the food fish market is so big, that he never seems to have enough fish for his customers.
He also said he is looking for any species of food size fish that growers can produce. He already has markets ready to purchase all types of fish. Yellow perch, trout, blue gill, black bass, tilapia, any food size fish is marketable and brings a good price. Jon
markets most of his fish in New York City and sends a truck to NYC six days a week. With that kind of volume, Jon will certainly be able to sell massive amounts of farm raised fish quickly and efficiently. If you're interested in getting fish processed and to
market, give Jon a call at 845-791-4345 or cellphone (845) 866-9935.
One of the draw back of course, is taking the fish to Monticello. For me, Monticello is 4+ hours away. For growers in that part of the state, Jon's fish processing facility may be just what they've been looking for. For those out of that region, taking fish that far for
processing may be impractical. Since Jon's fish processing facility was a surprise to me, there may be other fish processing facilities around the state. If you know of any, please contact me. It would be great to find fish processing facilities in other parts of
the state.
Iodophor Disinfection on Fish Eggs Eliminates VHSV
Several weeks ago I received an e-mail regarding the treatment of walleye and northern pike eggs to eliminate VHSV. Since it is almost spawning season in the northeast, I thought this article would be of particular interest to many growers. Here is a link to a
summary of the article. To read the entire article, click on the facsimile of the article once at the website. http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3107/ VHSV is now in Lake Superior
Researchers at Cornell University have isolated VHSV in Lake Superior. Although the virus has been detected, no significant fish kills have been detected region wide in 2008 or 2009. As a fish farmer, I'm wondering if this disease has run its course and may not
pose as great a threat to both wild and cultured fish as once thought. Could VHSV be the fish equivalent to chickenpox in children? Here is a link to the Cornell article. Time will tell if VHSV returns with more fish kills.
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/news/articles/10vhsv.cfm
Intersector Meeting set for March 18th
The first of this year's Intersector meetings will be held at SUNY Morrisville on Thursday, March 18th in the President’s Room at Charlton Hall. The meeting will begin at 11:00 A.M. Participants may order a light lunch upon their arrival at the meeting. A
campus map is available at the following website: http://www.morrisville.edu/maps/ http://mac.morrisville.edu/dining.aspx
The meeting is of “open forum” design and attended by DEC and Ag. & Markets Officials, Researchers from Cornell University, fish farmers from around the state and others interested in discussing issues facing aquaculture in New York State. No
reservations are needed, just come to the meeting. Sessions usually last 2 or 3 hours.
Laurie A. Trotta, Assistant Professor Director, Aquaculture Center
Environmental Sciences Department, moderates the meeting and can be reached at
315-684-6240 or 6120 for questions.
Introduction to Fish Farming
In conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County and Finger Lakes Community College, the New York State Aquaculture Association will participate in organizing a program to introduce people to growing fish in recirculation aquaculture
systems. The program is currently in the planning stage, but should be completed by mid-June. The purpose of the program is to expand the number of people growing fish in New York, promote locally grown food size fish and increase the amount of locally
grown farm raised fish to the public. Topics of discussion will be: How to Raise Fish in Tanks, Measuring Water Quality, Selecting Species to Culture, Regulations, and Marketing Your Fish Locally. As we get closer to implementing this project, more
information will be sent to you via e-mail.
Associations Dues Time Again – But with a twist
Hard economic times have placed heavy burdens on fish farmers all over our state.Some have even been forced out of business while others are feeling stressed. Your membership however, is still paramount to the association and vital to the health of the
aquaculture industry. Over the past 3 years, New York Farm Bureau has continued to support aquaculture in New York and has conferred with governmental officials and legislators on your behalf. We owe NYFB a debt of gratitude for their tireless efforts and
support.With these things in mind, the executive council has authorized me to do the following
for 2010:
1. Cut Association dues in half for all categories except “Corporate and “Sponsor”.
Grower $50 is now $25
Educator/Researcher $40 is now $20
Government Associate $30 is now $15
Student $10 is now FREE
Corporate $250
Sponsor $200
2. Those who paid regular dues in 2009 will not be charged dues in 2010.
3. Those who are current members of the N.Y. Farm Bureau or become members this year will receive a $15 credit toward their 2010 Association dues. Example: If a grower were a FB member, their Association dues would be $25 - $15 or $10;
An educator's dues of $20 -$15 would be $5; an associate would be $5.
To become a Farm Bureau Member go to:
http://www.nyfb.org/membership/benefits_detail.cfm?ID=4
4. Organize an Aquaculture Census and membership drive during 2010. This effort will update current association membership mailing lists and encourage the enrollment of new members statewide. As part of this effort, everyone currently
receiving this newsletter and wants to continue receiving it in the future, must contact the association office via e-mail stating (1) that you are still in business (2) whether you are a member of the NY Farm Bureau and (3) that you wish to remain an association member during 2010. Membership and mailing lists will be updated on MAY 1, 2010. Those not responding will be
considered out-of-business and removed from all membership and mailing lists.
5. If you know of fish farmers that are not currently members of the association, please e-mail me their name and address so I can invite them to become members this year. We are planning several important events during 2010 and want to give every
fish farmer a chance to participate. This information can be e-mailed to me at:
[email protected]
Your Friend in Aquaculture,
Ted Universal
President
NYSAA
New York State Aquaculture Association
The NYS Aquaculture Association is a group of private hatchery owners and people interested in developing a strong aquaculture industry in New York State. We publish a periodic newsletter, help develop aquaculture related legislation, send information bulletins on current issues, and operate a fingerling & food fish referral service. For more information and membership applications fill out the form below or send an e-mail to: [email protected]. You may also contact Ted Universal, NYS Aquaculture Association, 5109 Booher Hill Road, Geneseo, New York 14454. Phone: 585-243-3543