USDA has renewed the
Fish Health Inspection Subsidy for 2011
You may remember that last spring USDA allocated funds to New York and 4 other states bordering the Great Lakes for fish health inspections. You may also remember that the NYS Aquaculture Association was instrumental in persuading USDA develop this program to help keep the cost of fish health inspections down. When the program was initially proposed, it was very restrictive and didn't serve grower needs. Dr. Courtney McCracken, from NYS Dept. of Ag & Markets worked diligently with USDA to make the program work for New York Growers. Unfortunately, last year's program came late in the season and many growers had already had their fish inspected, paid for the costs and could not benefit from the program.
Now however, funding for 2011 is again available and this time it comes earlier in the year so more growers can take advantage of this cost sharing effort. Dr. McCracken has sent me a copy of the procedures that will be used this year to apply for grant funding. I have attached that document to this newsletter for your use. If you wish to apply for the 2011 fish health inspection funds, you should do so as soon as possible. Funding has increased slightly for 2011, but is not projected to last long. Many growers may find that funds have run out later in the spring, so quick action on your part is necessary if you want a portion of your fish health inspection costs paid via this grant. Contact Dr. McCracken ASAP!
Big Changes at the DEC
Congratulations goes to Phil Hulbert on his recent promotion to Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries. Phil's promotion only goes to show that hard work and candid honest interactions do get rewarded in substantial ways. Keep up the good work, Phil!
Patricia Riexinger, Division Director, made the formal announcement on October 19, 2010. The complete text of that announcement appears below.
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Hulbert as Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries in the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources.
Phil is a career fisheries biologist. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maine at Orono in 1971 and 1973 respectively. His initial professional employment was as a Research Associate with the Migratory Fish Research Institute in the Maine Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit, where he conducted studies on the feasibility of Atlantic salmon restoration in portions of the Penobscot River system, and on the impacts of forest pesticide applications on fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates. Phil began full time work with New York's DEC in 1977, working with the Coldwater Special Studies Unit in the Stamford sub-office. In 1986 he was appointed Coldwater Fisheries Unit Leader in the Bureau of Fisheries in DEC's Central Office. Since 1996 he has served as Superintendent of Fish Culture, overseeing DEC's 12 fish hatcheries and the Rome Fish Disease Control Unit (Rome Lab). During his tenure with DEC he has worked on projects including evaluations of stream improvement structures, statewide creel and minimum length limits in trout streams, sea lamprey control, the statewide trout stream stocking system and manual, and the development and use of ultra-low phosphorus fish feed in DEC's fish hatchery system. A white paper he prepared on hatchery infrastructure needs in 2003 was instrumental in efforts to obtain Capital Budget appropriations for projects such as the reconstruction of broodstock ponds at Rome Lab and the construction of a new office/early rearing/visitor center building at Rome Hatchery.
Phil's influence is not limited to New York. He was a member of the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council Steering Committee on the National Fish Hatchery Project, which authored the report Saving a System in Peril -- A Special Report on the National Fish Hatchery System. He also served as East Coast Representative to the Whirling Disease Initiative's Steering Committee from 1998-2009.
Phil's outside interests include gardening, fly tying, hunting and fishing. He lives in East Meredith, Delaware County, with his wife, Diana, and grand-daughters Dakota, Michaela, and Rebecca.
I am pleased to welcome Phil to the Division's leadership team.
Patricia Riexinger
Director
Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources
NYS Dept. Environmental Conservation
I'm sure your wondering who will replace Phil in his former position. Phil made that announced on December 1, 2010 with the following communique:
Good afternoon- I am pleased to announce that Jim Daley has been appointed to fill the vacant Fish Culturist 6 item. Jim brings 9+ years of experience in the Bureau of Fisheries as Coldwater Unit Leader to his new position, and I am confident that he will do an excellent job in what must candidly be described as very challenging times for all of us. Please join me in wishing Jim well in his new assignment.
I have never met Jim Daley, but look forward to meeting and working with him on future fish related topics. Congratulations to both men on their recent promotions.
Selling un-eviscerated Fish is Prohibited
I recently received this article that might be of interest to those who sell fish for human consumption.
S&S Food Inc. at 1560 Troy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203 is recalling DRIED FISH VOBLA GUTTED discovered by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors during a routine inspection and subsequent analysis of product by Food Laboratory personnel confirming that the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing. This product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause Botulism, a serious and potentially fatal food borne illness. Symptoms of botulism include blurred vision, general weakness and poor reflexes, difficulty in swallowing and respiratory paralysis.
The sale of un-eviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Un-eviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.
The recalled dried fish Vobla gutted comes in a coded, plastic vacuum packed bag with the following code: Production date: 21.06.2010, lot # 280610140 and is a product of Germany. This product was sold nationwide.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers who have DRIED FISH VOBLA GUTTED are advised not to eat it and should return it to the place of purchase. Consumer with questions may contact the company at (718)677-6888
Friends of Aquaculture
There are many people throughout our state that are supporters of New York Aquaculture. Not many however, take the initiative and write letters to the editor of their local newspapers on our behalf. Check out the article written on November 19, 2010 at this website: www.thedailystar.com you'll find it refreshing.
USDA has Info. for Fish Farmers
The USDA National Agricultural Library’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center has information pertinent to the aquaculture community in the United States and world-wide. To access this information, please click on the link below:
http://afsic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=2&tax_level=2&tax_subject=295&level3_id=0&level4_id=0&level5_id=0&topic_id=1410&&placement_default=0
Old Publication gets New Lease on Life
Members of the New York Aquaculture Association have expressed interest in a no longer available Extension Bulletin produced by Cornell Cooperative Extension. While the publication was produced a number of years ago, the information is considered to be of value by those who have seen the Bulletin. We have obtained access to a pdf copy of: Raising Bait Fish and Crayfish in New York Ponds -- by J.L. Forney
New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Cornell Cooperative Extension Bulletin 986
1975. 31 pp.
If you want to raise bait fish or crayfish, you'll want to read this valuable booklet. The booklet, in its entirety, appears on a pull down menu on the association website under the heading "Resource Materials" . The Association website is:
www.nysaquaculture.org
You may remember that last spring USDA allocated funds to New York and 4 other states bordering the Great Lakes for fish health inspections. You may also remember that the NYS Aquaculture Association was instrumental in persuading USDA develop this program to help keep the cost of fish health inspections down. When the program was initially proposed, it was very restrictive and didn't serve grower needs. Dr. Courtney McCracken, from NYS Dept. of Ag & Markets worked diligently with USDA to make the program work for New York Growers. Unfortunately, last year's program came late in the season and many growers had already had their fish inspected, paid for the costs and could not benefit from the program.
Now however, funding for 2011 is again available and this time it comes earlier in the year so more growers can take advantage of this cost sharing effort. Dr. McCracken has sent me a copy of the procedures that will be used this year to apply for grant funding. I have attached that document to this newsletter for your use. If you wish to apply for the 2011 fish health inspection funds, you should do so as soon as possible. Funding has increased slightly for 2011, but is not projected to last long. Many growers may find that funds have run out later in the spring, so quick action on your part is necessary if you want a portion of your fish health inspection costs paid via this grant. Contact Dr. McCracken ASAP!
Big Changes at the DEC
Congratulations goes to Phil Hulbert on his recent promotion to Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries. Phil's promotion only goes to show that hard work and candid honest interactions do get rewarded in substantial ways. Keep up the good work, Phil!
Patricia Riexinger, Division Director, made the formal announcement on October 19, 2010. The complete text of that announcement appears below.
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Hulbert as Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries in the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources.
Phil is a career fisheries biologist. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maine at Orono in 1971 and 1973 respectively. His initial professional employment was as a Research Associate with the Migratory Fish Research Institute in the Maine Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit, where he conducted studies on the feasibility of Atlantic salmon restoration in portions of the Penobscot River system, and on the impacts of forest pesticide applications on fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates. Phil began full time work with New York's DEC in 1977, working with the Coldwater Special Studies Unit in the Stamford sub-office. In 1986 he was appointed Coldwater Fisheries Unit Leader in the Bureau of Fisheries in DEC's Central Office. Since 1996 he has served as Superintendent of Fish Culture, overseeing DEC's 12 fish hatcheries and the Rome Fish Disease Control Unit (Rome Lab). During his tenure with DEC he has worked on projects including evaluations of stream improvement structures, statewide creel and minimum length limits in trout streams, sea lamprey control, the statewide trout stream stocking system and manual, and the development and use of ultra-low phosphorus fish feed in DEC's fish hatchery system. A white paper he prepared on hatchery infrastructure needs in 2003 was instrumental in efforts to obtain Capital Budget appropriations for projects such as the reconstruction of broodstock ponds at Rome Lab and the construction of a new office/early rearing/visitor center building at Rome Hatchery.
Phil's influence is not limited to New York. He was a member of the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council Steering Committee on the National Fish Hatchery Project, which authored the report Saving a System in Peril -- A Special Report on the National Fish Hatchery System. He also served as East Coast Representative to the Whirling Disease Initiative's Steering Committee from 1998-2009.
Phil's outside interests include gardening, fly tying, hunting and fishing. He lives in East Meredith, Delaware County, with his wife, Diana, and grand-daughters Dakota, Michaela, and Rebecca.
I am pleased to welcome Phil to the Division's leadership team.
Patricia Riexinger
Director
Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources
NYS Dept. Environmental Conservation
I'm sure your wondering who will replace Phil in his former position. Phil made that announced on December 1, 2010 with the following communique:
Good afternoon- I am pleased to announce that Jim Daley has been appointed to fill the vacant Fish Culturist 6 item. Jim brings 9+ years of experience in the Bureau of Fisheries as Coldwater Unit Leader to his new position, and I am confident that he will do an excellent job in what must candidly be described as very challenging times for all of us. Please join me in wishing Jim well in his new assignment.
I have never met Jim Daley, but look forward to meeting and working with him on future fish related topics. Congratulations to both men on their recent promotions.
Selling un-eviscerated Fish is Prohibited
I recently received this article that might be of interest to those who sell fish for human consumption.
S&S Food Inc. at 1560 Troy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203 is recalling DRIED FISH VOBLA GUTTED discovered by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors during a routine inspection and subsequent analysis of product by Food Laboratory personnel confirming that the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing. This product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause Botulism, a serious and potentially fatal food borne illness. Symptoms of botulism include blurred vision, general weakness and poor reflexes, difficulty in swallowing and respiratory paralysis.
The sale of un-eviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Un-eviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.
The recalled dried fish Vobla gutted comes in a coded, plastic vacuum packed bag with the following code: Production date: 21.06.2010, lot # 280610140 and is a product of Germany. This product was sold nationwide.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers who have DRIED FISH VOBLA GUTTED are advised not to eat it and should return it to the place of purchase. Consumer with questions may contact the company at (718)677-6888
Friends of Aquaculture
There are many people throughout our state that are supporters of New York Aquaculture. Not many however, take the initiative and write letters to the editor of their local newspapers on our behalf. Check out the article written on November 19, 2010 at this website: www.thedailystar.com you'll find it refreshing.
USDA has Info. for Fish Farmers
The USDA National Agricultural Library’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center has information pertinent to the aquaculture community in the United States and world-wide. To access this information, please click on the link below:
http://afsic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=2&tax_level=2&tax_subject=295&level3_id=0&level4_id=0&level5_id=0&topic_id=1410&&placement_default=0
Old Publication gets New Lease on Life
Members of the New York Aquaculture Association have expressed interest in a no longer available Extension Bulletin produced by Cornell Cooperative Extension. While the publication was produced a number of years ago, the information is considered to be of value by those who have seen the Bulletin. We have obtained access to a pdf copy of: Raising Bait Fish and Crayfish in New York Ponds -- by J.L. Forney
New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Cornell Cooperative Extension Bulletin 986
1975. 31 pp.
If you want to raise bait fish or crayfish, you'll want to read this valuable booklet. The booklet, in its entirety, appears on a pull down menu on the association website under the heading "Resource Materials" . The Association website is:
www.nysaquaculture.org
Focus
on Fish Farming
Many growers across our state are doing innovative things to make their aquaculture businesses special and unique. For the next few editions of NYSAquaNews, we will showcase a hatchery or fish related business in New York State and report on how their focus on aquaculture is serving their customers and local community. In this edition we will focus on New Things Happening in Buffalo, New York
A vibrant new business venture is taking shape right in the middle of the city of Buffalo, New York. The Community Action Organization (CAO) of Erie County, Inc. has begun a aquaponics & organic gardening business operation called "The Green Entrepreneurial Program". The program has many far reaching goals designed to ultimately put a variety of wholesome locally grown organic food in the homes and restaurants of those living in the Buffalo area. Here is a a capsulized explanation of how the program works.
Participants receive training from CAO on composting, greenhouse operation, organic and aquaponic gardening methods, plant culture, business organization and marketing. Select participants receive grants and support from CAO to put up a greenhouse and organize a organic approach to growing vegetables. One of the unique features of this program is its decentralized and owner operated facilities. Currently the CAO has 8 individual greenhouse sites located throughout the city of Buffalo and Erie county, each having its own private owner or group as operator. The CAO works with these owners in a variety of ways such as advanced training, product marketing, innovative methodology and the like. Let's take a look at specific aspects of this effort and see exactly what it entails.
Learning the correct methodology for composting is one of the first things participants learn to do. The pictures below show the beginning stages of the composting process. The picture on the left show the raw vegetables mixed with straw at the beginning of the process while the one on the right shows composting at a more advanced stage. Compost starter materials are saved by restaurants and hotels throughout the Buffalo area and are collected by CAO trucks. Only vegetable scraps are composted; meat scrap is avoided since it tends to draw rodents. Mike Lee, Project Director, holds compost material that's ready for the seed beds.
Many growers across our state are doing innovative things to make their aquaculture businesses special and unique. For the next few editions of NYSAquaNews, we will showcase a hatchery or fish related business in New York State and report on how their focus on aquaculture is serving their customers and local community. In this edition we will focus on New Things Happening in Buffalo, New York
A vibrant new business venture is taking shape right in the middle of the city of Buffalo, New York. The Community Action Organization (CAO) of Erie County, Inc. has begun a aquaponics & organic gardening business operation called "The Green Entrepreneurial Program". The program has many far reaching goals designed to ultimately put a variety of wholesome locally grown organic food in the homes and restaurants of those living in the Buffalo area. Here is a a capsulized explanation of how the program works.
Participants receive training from CAO on composting, greenhouse operation, organic and aquaponic gardening methods, plant culture, business organization and marketing. Select participants receive grants and support from CAO to put up a greenhouse and organize a organic approach to growing vegetables. One of the unique features of this program is its decentralized and owner operated facilities. Currently the CAO has 8 individual greenhouse sites located throughout the city of Buffalo and Erie county, each having its own private owner or group as operator. The CAO works with these owners in a variety of ways such as advanced training, product marketing, innovative methodology and the like. Let's take a look at specific aspects of this effort and see exactly what it entails.
Learning the correct methodology for composting is one of the first things participants learn to do. The pictures below show the beginning stages of the composting process. The picture on the left show the raw vegetables mixed with straw at the beginning of the process while the one on the right shows composting at a more advanced stage. Compost starter materials are saved by restaurants and hotels throughout the Buffalo area and are collected by CAO trucks. Only vegetable scraps are composted; meat scrap is avoided since it tends to draw rodents. Mike Lee, Project Director, holds compost material that's ready for the seed beds.
Once the compost is ready for use, it
is placed into specially prepared raised bed seeding areas. When I
visited in the Fall of the year, the greenhouse was being prepared
for seeding in one area while vegetables were being harvested in
another. Planting is staggered so crops are available for harvest
year round.
Sam
Kivelowitz, Greenhouse Manager, prepares
an order of parsley, peppers and other
vegetables for a local restaurant customer. An important element of the decentralized
organization approach is that customers
are only a few miles from where the
food is grown. This not only saves on delivery costs, but also adds
significantly to product freshness and quality. In the spring &
summer months, raised seed beds are prepared outdoors and filled with
a large variety of vegetables. Since soil in the city tends to be
contaminated with heavy metals
and toxic chemicals, all seed beds are
lined with impermeable liners so vegetables never reach city soil and
are grown in only composted soil material. The following shows
outdoor seed beds in full bloom.