Michigan Sea Grant conducting aquaculture AIS-HACCP session at Planning for Aquaculture Business

Developing a healthy aquaculture operation entails good working knowledge of developing an AIS-HACCP plan to keep fish healthy and your business growing.

Michigan Sea Grant will offer a workshop focusing on Aquaculture Biosecurity/Aquatic Invasive Species-Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (AIS-HACCP) during a two-day workshop on aquaculture business planning at Cabela’s in Dundee, Michigan on August 6 and 7, 2012. The application of the HACCP approach is found among many industries and business processes to ensure product safety. The aquaculture and baitfish industries are no exception because HACCP can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, including a variety of plant, invertebrate, vertebrate and pathogens.

Because healthy fish are vital to a successful aquaculture facility, attendees will learn to develop an AIS-HACCP plan. By using a fictional Midwest facility, participants will learn to use biosecurity principals to identify risks and focus procedures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Using practical examples and hands-on exercises, attendees will leave ready to develop a plan specific to their aquaculture operation.

Day two of the workshop will focus on aquaculture business management and marketing to help participants answer the question - is your business operation as healthy as your fish? Topics on day two will include learning how to perform a simple financial health checkup and interpret indicators; learning how to take advantage of the latest supermarket trends in aquaculture products; and exploring innovative marketing strategies that can reduce costs and increase profits.

During the second day’s afternoon session, attendees will hear from the experts working on innovative approaches in the aquaculture industry and evaluate the potential of your own facility. There will also be a review of the 2012 aquaculture development and regulation study and possible impacts on the industry.

The two-day workshop is being sponsored by the Michigan Aquaculture Association, Ohio Aquaculture Association, Michigan Sea Grant, North Central Regional Aquaculture Center, The Ohio State University Extension, National Aquaculture Association, United Soybean Board, and The Nature Conservancy. To register before the August 2nd conference registration deadline, contact Charissa McGlothin at 740-289-2071, ext. 132.

Michigan Sea Grant and the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center will also be conducting two other Aquaculture Biosecurity/AIS-HACCP Workshops this summer:

July 12, 2012 - Oswald Fisheries, Inc. - Ellendale, MN

July 30, 2012 - USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center - La Crosse, WI

For more information on these workshops, contact Ron Kinnunen at 906-226-3687.

Did you find this article useful?