NYSAquaNews Vol. 3 # 2 June 16, 2010
Legislation Revisited
On May 11, 2010 Jim Kennedy and I traveled to the state capitol to discuss aquaculture issues with key legislators and other state officials. Our message was clear and on point, we need changes in many regulations governing aquaculture, so growers can be free of the restrictions that are holding our industry in suspended animation. New York has the biggest food fish market in the world and should be leading the way in the production of locally grown, high quality, farm raised fish. Yet New York aquaculture's food fish business languishes, while fish imports continue their steady growth. With such a strong market why isn't New York's aquaculture industry responding to the public's insatiable appetite for fish? In many cases it's regulation, regulation, regulation that's choking the life's blood out of the aquaculture industry.
Knowing that New York is in a fiscal crisis, we did not go to Albany looking for financial aide or a monetary handout. Instead we focused our attention on changing regulations that would cost the state little or no money, but would free growers to market their fish products locally and grow their businesses through individual initiative. The regulations governing the sale of trout and black bass to third party vendors has been an impediment to progress for many years. Created before recirculation aquaculture became a viable venture, these antiquated regulations have derailed positive change in our industry for decades. Buying local is what customers want, yet growers are forced to sell their New York farm raised black bass in Philadelphia and Boston for regulation prohibits marketing them in their own communities. Opportunity is the engine that drives economic growth. By removing burdensome regulation, private enterprise will respond to market demand. Producers won't grow fish they can't sell. Opening markets will encourage investment, create jobs, invent new products and spur economic growth. Success breeds success, and New York needs a dose of it now.
New York Farm Bureau has been working hard to help educate law makers to the needs of fish growers in New York. News releases, articles centering on aquaculture and TV news interviews have all brought aquaculture into focus for both legislators and the public at large. Shortly after our visit to Albany, I was interviewed by YNN reporter, Anne Lithiluxa. She came out to the farm, toured our facility and discussed critical issues facing aquaculture today. Her report aired on May 13, 2010 and was jam packed with interesting, provocative information that conveyed an important message on the state of Aquaculture in New York. To view the report, click on this link: http://rochester.ynn.com/content/top_stories/504710/fish-farmers-urge-sale-of-black-bass/
(then click on the big arrow, a short commercial will play, then the report)
We are hoping the state legislature approves the trout and black bass legislation that is being proposed this spring. Once approved, private enterprise will take over and put fresh, wholesome, toxin free fish on your dinner table soon.
The Association Has a New Interactive Website
The New York State Aquaculture Association has a new interactive website to serve both its membership and the public. You may access the website by clicking this link: www.nysaquaculture.org The site was created by my wife, Vicki, who is quite adept with computer based technology. As we gain experience with the site, various features will be added or modified. Currently, the site features these items:
A Home Pagefeaturing special time sensitive messages. Membership is our current theme.
Members Selling Fish - Growers selling fish will be listed alphabetically by name. Their business name will act as a link that will take interested parties to the grower's website. If a grower does not have a website, the association will list their contact information, including an e-mail link. Any member wishing to have their business listed on the association website needs to contact association headquarters and give us permission to list your business and give us your contact information. This is a FREE SERVICE for all association members.
Newsletter - By clicking on this link, anyone visiting our site will have access to our association newsletter. Members will receive newsletters via e-mail several days or weeks before they are posted on the website. Archived newsletters will be available on a pull down screen on this feature.
Current Issues & Legislation (Blog) - This area will highlight important issues and legislation the association is dealing with at present. The association's position on an issue, current projects and copies of pending legislation are some of the items that one might find here. Site visitors can comment on these postings or offer new material for consideration. All visitor blogs will be screened for appropriateness before posting.
Equipment, Supplies & Feeds - Vendors serving the aquaculture community will be encouraged to list their companies on our website. The company's name will be a link to their website. A nominal annual fee for this service will help support the Association in it's work. Interested parties should contact Association headquarters by e-mail or phone.
Educational Resources - Education is an important part of the association's mission. This portion of our website will carry information on up-coming conferences, links to technical articles and publications, books & reference materials, courses of study in aquaculture and the like. Members will be able to post publications at this location FREE OF CHARGE with the prior approval of the association.
With any new venture, experience and use will create change. We encourage everyone to use the website and suggest ways it can be improved. If you've ever worked in a committee, you know every idea brought up for discussion isn't always featured in the final report. Those ideas sometime spur creative discussion that generate new ideas that are in fact used. We invite and encourage your input.
Intro. to Recirculation Aquaculture
The Association, in conjunction with several of it's members, has embarked upon a program to introduce interested parties to the art of growing fish in tanks. Designed for those with little or no experience with aquaculture, the program will introduce participants to recirculation aquaculture and guide them in building an inexpensive starter system at their home or farm. Husbandry techniques, selection of fish, licensing, marketing and further education will be amongst the topics covered. The program is offered through the Ontario County Cooperative Extension Service and is open to the public. Program details are available by clicking on this link: http://www.cceontario.org
and click on Aquaculture workshop.
If this initial effort is successful, we hope to offer this program in other areas of the state. We anticipate the program will take a full day to complete. Those wishing to schedule a seminar in their area should contact Jim Ochterski, at the Ontario County Extension Service Office, 585-394-3977 x402.
Your Friend in Aquaculture,
Ted Universal
President
NYSAA
Legislation Revisited
On May 11, 2010 Jim Kennedy and I traveled to the state capitol to discuss aquaculture issues with key legislators and other state officials. Our message was clear and on point, we need changes in many regulations governing aquaculture, so growers can be free of the restrictions that are holding our industry in suspended animation. New York has the biggest food fish market in the world and should be leading the way in the production of locally grown, high quality, farm raised fish. Yet New York aquaculture's food fish business languishes, while fish imports continue their steady growth. With such a strong market why isn't New York's aquaculture industry responding to the public's insatiable appetite for fish? In many cases it's regulation, regulation, regulation that's choking the life's blood out of the aquaculture industry.
Knowing that New York is in a fiscal crisis, we did not go to Albany looking for financial aide or a monetary handout. Instead we focused our attention on changing regulations that would cost the state little or no money, but would free growers to market their fish products locally and grow their businesses through individual initiative. The regulations governing the sale of trout and black bass to third party vendors has been an impediment to progress for many years. Created before recirculation aquaculture became a viable venture, these antiquated regulations have derailed positive change in our industry for decades. Buying local is what customers want, yet growers are forced to sell their New York farm raised black bass in Philadelphia and Boston for regulation prohibits marketing them in their own communities. Opportunity is the engine that drives economic growth. By removing burdensome regulation, private enterprise will respond to market demand. Producers won't grow fish they can't sell. Opening markets will encourage investment, create jobs, invent new products and spur economic growth. Success breeds success, and New York needs a dose of it now.
New York Farm Bureau has been working hard to help educate law makers to the needs of fish growers in New York. News releases, articles centering on aquaculture and TV news interviews have all brought aquaculture into focus for both legislators and the public at large. Shortly after our visit to Albany, I was interviewed by YNN reporter, Anne Lithiluxa. She came out to the farm, toured our facility and discussed critical issues facing aquaculture today. Her report aired on May 13, 2010 and was jam packed with interesting, provocative information that conveyed an important message on the state of Aquaculture in New York. To view the report, click on this link: http://rochester.ynn.com/content/top_stories/504710/fish-farmers-urge-sale-of-black-bass/
(then click on the big arrow, a short commercial will play, then the report)
We are hoping the state legislature approves the trout and black bass legislation that is being proposed this spring. Once approved, private enterprise will take over and put fresh, wholesome, toxin free fish on your dinner table soon.
The Association Has a New Interactive Website
The New York State Aquaculture Association has a new interactive website to serve both its membership and the public. You may access the website by clicking this link: www.nysaquaculture.org The site was created by my wife, Vicki, who is quite adept with computer based technology. As we gain experience with the site, various features will be added or modified. Currently, the site features these items:
A Home Pagefeaturing special time sensitive messages. Membership is our current theme.
Members Selling Fish - Growers selling fish will be listed alphabetically by name. Their business name will act as a link that will take interested parties to the grower's website. If a grower does not have a website, the association will list their contact information, including an e-mail link. Any member wishing to have their business listed on the association website needs to contact association headquarters and give us permission to list your business and give us your contact information. This is a FREE SERVICE for all association members.
Newsletter - By clicking on this link, anyone visiting our site will have access to our association newsletter. Members will receive newsletters via e-mail several days or weeks before they are posted on the website. Archived newsletters will be available on a pull down screen on this feature.
Current Issues & Legislation (Blog) - This area will highlight important issues and legislation the association is dealing with at present. The association's position on an issue, current projects and copies of pending legislation are some of the items that one might find here. Site visitors can comment on these postings or offer new material for consideration. All visitor blogs will be screened for appropriateness before posting.
Equipment, Supplies & Feeds - Vendors serving the aquaculture community will be encouraged to list their companies on our website. The company's name will be a link to their website. A nominal annual fee for this service will help support the Association in it's work. Interested parties should contact Association headquarters by e-mail or phone.
Educational Resources - Education is an important part of the association's mission. This portion of our website will carry information on up-coming conferences, links to technical articles and publications, books & reference materials, courses of study in aquaculture and the like. Members will be able to post publications at this location FREE OF CHARGE with the prior approval of the association.
With any new venture, experience and use will create change. We encourage everyone to use the website and suggest ways it can be improved. If you've ever worked in a committee, you know every idea brought up for discussion isn't always featured in the final report. Those ideas sometime spur creative discussion that generate new ideas that are in fact used. We invite and encourage your input.
Intro. to Recirculation Aquaculture
The Association, in conjunction with several of it's members, has embarked upon a program to introduce interested parties to the art of growing fish in tanks. Designed for those with little or no experience with aquaculture, the program will introduce participants to recirculation aquaculture and guide them in building an inexpensive starter system at their home or farm. Husbandry techniques, selection of fish, licensing, marketing and further education will be amongst the topics covered. The program is offered through the Ontario County Cooperative Extension Service and is open to the public. Program details are available by clicking on this link: http://www.cceontario.org
and click on Aquaculture workshop.
If this initial effort is successful, we hope to offer this program in other areas of the state. We anticipate the program will take a full day to complete. Those wishing to schedule a seminar in their area should contact Jim Ochterski, at the Ontario County Extension Service Office, 585-394-3977 x402.
Your Friend in Aquaculture,
Ted Universal
President
NYSAA