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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Fish Farming Focus of June 25 Field Day

June 1, 2011

PIKETON, Ohio -- Ohio State University's South Centers at Piketon, located off State Route 32 in Pike County, may not look like the ideal place for yellow perch, lake sturgeon, largemouth bass and blue gill. But it's full of surprises. The facility boasts the only aquaculture genetics lab in the Midwest and is the cornerstone of research and education for Ohio's $6 million aquaculture industry.

Farmers, businesses, fish enthusiasts or just the plain curious are invited to OSU South Centers Aquaculture Field Day on Saturday, June 25, to learn more about the aquaculture program and how its research benefits the industry, and gain knowledge about aquaculture species from the popular (yellow perch) to the new (baitfish) to the unique (shrimp).

"The field day gives visitors the chance to see what we are all about and what we are doing in the aquaculture industry," said Laura Tiu, an Ohio State University aquaculture senior research associate. "People expect to see such set-ups on a large campus, but not in Piketon, Ohio."

The Aquaculture Field Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $10, which includes handouts, snacks and drinks. Register in advance by calling Julie Moose at 740-289-2071, ext. 223 (pay at the door). Walk-ins also are welcome.

The field day will consist of a morning lecture series on various introductory aquaculture topics and an afternoon self-guided walking tour of the South Centers' Ohio Center for Aquaculture Research and Development facility. Visitors can stop at various stations to learn more about fish breeding and genetics, pond management and construction, and indoor aquaculture production and culture demonstrations. OSU Extension educators and aquaculture researchers will be on hand to explain research, exhibit various fish species and answer questions. Visitors will also have access to books, videos and other resources on aquaculture.

The aquaculture research at OSU South Centers at Piketon focuses on Ohio's top three aquacultural and recreational fish: yellow perch, bluegill and largemouth bass, and important baitfish species.

For more information on the Aquaculture Field Day, download the flyer available in the right column at http://go.osu.edu/fishfielday or contact Julie Moose at 740-289-2071, ext. 223 or e-mail moose.14@osu.edu.

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Source(s): 
Julie Moose