Aquaculture information resources on ALF ------------------------------------------ Another document available: AQUALIST.TXT 3695 10-23-90 Aquaculture Info Ctr Publist =========================================================================== LIST OF KEY NAL PERSONNEL AND SERVICES =========================================================================== Aquaculture IC Debbie Hanfman 344-3704 AGS3091 Aquaculture Information Center Subject Coverage: Culture of aquatic plants and animals in freshwater, brackish, and marine environments. Examples include: catfish farming; oyster culture; freshwater prawn culture; tilapia culture; salmon ranching; and trout farming. Subjects related to aquaculture, such as pond management, cage culture, recirculating systems, diseases, and water quality are also covered. Staff of the Center also handle requests on eel culture; Spirulina farming; and aquatic snail and turtle cultivation, but not terrestrial culture. The "fisheries industry" (such as ocean fishing harvests) is not considered a part of the Aquaculture Information Center's coverage. Coordinator: Deborah Hanfman, 301-344-3704 Aquaculture Information Center Coordinator: Debbie Hanfman Room l09C (30l) 344-3704 AQUACULTURE ----------- Algae and Biotechnology. Ann Townsend Young. February 1990. 3 pp. AIC Series no. 1. Aquaculture: A Guide to Federal Government Programs. Prepared by the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, in cooperation with the National Agricultural Library. November 1987. 34 pp. Aquaculture for Youth and Youth Educators. Eileen McVey. July 1989. 16 pp. (Aqua-Topic Series) Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding: National Research Priorities. Prepared by USDA Cooperative State Research Service, Office of Aquaculture. March 1988. Vol. I, 56 pages. Vol. II, 61 pp. Aquaculture In the Caribbean Basin: A Bibliography (1970-1988). Prepared by Deborah T. Hanfman, Aquaculture Information Center; Steven Tibbitt, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS); Carol Watts, NESDIS; Dallas Alson, Caribbean Aquaculture Association. More [Y]es,N)o,C)ont,A)bort,J)ump! y Bibliographies and Literature of Agriculture No. 71. September 1988. 71 pp. Aquaculture In the Northeast Pacific: A Bibliography. Prepared by Deborah T. Hanfman, Aquaculture Information Center; Eileen M. McVey, Aquaculture Information Center; Steven J. Tibbitt, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS); Marilyn Quin, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center Library, Newport, Oregon 97365; Carol Watts, NESDIS. Bibliographies and Literature of Agriculture No. 98. October 1989. Culture of Striped and Hybrid Striped Bass. Eileen McVey. April 1990. 28 pp. (Aqua-Topics Series) Eels. Ann Townsend Young. April 1990. 8 pp. AIC Series no. 5. Paddlefish. Deborah T. Hanfman. March 1990. 5 pp. AIC Series no. 2. The Potentials of Aquaculture: An Overview and Bibliography. Prepared by Deborah T. Hanfman, Aquaculture Information Center; Steven Tibbitt, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS); and Carol Watts (NESDIS). October 1989. Bibliographies and Literature of Agriculture No. 90. 73 pp. Practical Aquaculture Literature II: A Bibliography. Eileen M. McVey, Deborah T. Hanfman, Mona F. Smith, and Ann Townsend Young. June 1989. Bibliographies and Literature of Agriculture No. 75. 175 pp. Raising Snails. Sheldon Cheney. SRB 88-04. March 1988. 16 pp. Seafood Safety and Standards. Eileen M. McVey. September 1989. 19 pp. (Aqua-Topic Series) Sturgeons. Ann Townsend Young. April 1990. 10 pp. AIC Series no. 4. Watercress. Ann Townsend Young. April 1990. 6 pp. AIC Series no. 3. =========================================================================== INFORMATION ALERTS Recent items of public interest published as Information Alerts by NAL =========================================================================== IA89-08.TXT REGIS: ... African Aquaculture 4/21/89 IA89-12.TXT NATDP Announces Aquaculture Compact Disk 6/21/89 IA89-21.TXT New Aquaculture Bibliography Available 8/15/89 Another document available: NAL Publ. "Potentials of Aquaculture"......................90-05 IA90-05.TXT AQUACULTURE Deborah Hanfman, a Technical Information Specialist at NAL, selected 62 key U.S. Government publications for this database. They include books, technical reports, bibliographies, leaflets, bulletins and journal articles. These publications are not copyrighted and may be downloaded or printed for personal use. Software used: Textware. This database was created as part of an experimental, pilot project by the National Agricultural Library. Copies are not available. The database may be searched at the D.C. Reference Center and in the main library, Beltsville, MD. Technical questions about the database may be addressed to Deborah Hanfman (301)344-3558, or Judith Zidar (301)344-3818, USDA, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Blvd., Beltsville, MD 20705. Another file available for download: LAQUADV.ZIP 59680 06-30-88 Louisiana Aquaculture Expert Advisory Re: 1/3 Aquaculture and the FDA ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Life on a Fish Farm: Food Safety a Priority by Beverly Corey, D.V.M. In bold yellow letters the supermarket ad proclaims, "Save on Catch of the Day." Beneath the message is a fisherman's oversized dip-net teeming with thick sliced lemons, red snapper, trout, mussels, a red onion, succulent shrimp, a sprig of parsley, and a luscious lobster. The picture creates an intense hunger for seafood. It also commands a closer look. The ad's fine print lists the usual information: the price of the product, its common or usual name, whether it is fresh or frozen, and its place of origin. But a few products are identified with a term that implies an additional distinction--"farm-raised." This means it's a product of aquaculture. What's Aquaculture? Aquaculture means "water culture" or, more exactly, farming in water. Simply explained, it involves the intensive production of fish and shellfish for human food, plants such as seaweed, and even bait fish and fish for aquaria, in a closely managed habitat. The aquaculture industry has been described as "fragile" because it's still young, yet "on the cutting edge of science" because of its use of technology. Both descriptions are appropriate for an industry that has experienced explosive growth in the last 20 years, but is still immature. Aquaculture is considered by many to be the aquatic counterpart of agriculture, with water substituting for land. But aquaculture is more akin to animal husbandry, the science of animal breeding, than agriculture in general. Farm-raised fish mature in areas called rearing units or rearing areas either offshore or onshore. Ponds, large circular tanks, and raceways--rectangular concrete enclosures that make use of flowing water--are common onshore rearing units for fin fish. Coastal lakes and estuaries can be common sites for offshore systems raising fish and crustaceans in cages or net-pens. Shellfish may be held in floating baskets or suspended on ropes hanging from rafts. The aquaculturist takes species of aquatic plants and animals naturally grown in nature's waterways or in the "wild" and reproduces them in a habitat where the operative word is "control." The farmer can monitor and control every aspect of the fish's environment--from the quality of pond water to the specially formulated fish diet. Fish farmers believe that it's the element of control that makes a farm-raised fish a better-quality product because it's easier to regulate and guarantee its wholesomeness. Fish farmers rely on good management and a host of products to prevent health problems. They use chemicals as disinfectants and to kill bacteria; herbicides to prevent the overgrowth of vegetation in ponds; vaccines to fight certain diseases; and drugs--usually combined in the feed--to treat diseases and parasites. The supervision of this new industry is shared by several federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Environmental Protection Agency, along with state and local authorities. Their common goal is to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of aquaculture products. USDA has the overall responsibility for promoting the development of aquaculture as an industry. FWS provides developmental research and advice to fish farmers. EPA safeguards the environment and municipal water systems by regulating the discharge of water from aquaculture facilities and registering the chemicals used as pesticides and herbicides. NOAA, for a fee, provides an inspection service that guarantees fish are packed under federal inspection. FDA works with the individual states to ensure the safety of seafood products, especially molluscan shellfish such as oysters, clams and mussels. It also approves the drugs and feed additives used in aquaculture; monitors the manufacturing, distribution and use of fish drugs; provides technical assistance and training to the states; conducts research; and provides the necessary oversight to ensure that fish food products are safe, wholesome and properly labeled. FDA's recently created Office of Seafood--in its Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition--is the focal point for much of the agency's food fish programs. FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine works closely with the Office of Seafood. There are five major components to any fish culture operation: fish, water, container or pond, nutrition, and management practices. Each component plays a significant role in the farming of a safe and wholesome food. A look at the actual process provides an understanding of the term "farm-raised." Raising Catfish Catfish farming makes up 50 percent of the U.S. aquaculture industry and typifies aquaculture in action. The life of a farm-raised catfish begins with the mating of genetically bred broodstock. Broodstock are sexually mature fish used solely for reproduction. They are so important that some farmers specialize in their production. Re: 2/3 Aquaculture and the FDA ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Typically, once the eggs are laid and fertilized, they are placed in controlled hatching tanks with oxygenated water of suitable temperature and quality. The eggs hatch in seven to eight days, and 18 days after hatching the young catfish--"fry," as they are called--are strong enough to be transferred to outdoor ponds to mature. The pond size may vary from 5 to 20 acres, is 4 to 5 feet deep, and is usually fed by a good supply of well water. Catfish fry, which are less than 1 inch long at this point, are stocked at densities ranging from 70,000 per acre to upwards of 200,000 per acre, as recommended by hatchery biologists. Once fish enter the pond, their growth and survival will wholly depend upon the quality of that environment. Everything the fish comes into contact with has the potential of becoming a part of the edible flesh of that organism and can affect its life. If the water or food contains contaminants, they may end up in the fish. If improper drugs are used to treat a disease, residues of those drugs may also become a part of the fish. If too many aquatic plants are present, they will compete with the fish for oxygen. Sound management is essential to keep the fish growing. So, from the time of stocking to the time of harvest, the farmer is busy controlling the aquaculture system. First, every attention is given to the quality of the commercially prepared dry pellet diet. It must be high in protein (30 to 40 percent, depending upon the stage of growth), made of soybeans, corn, wheat, and fishmeal, and contain a balance of essential vitamins and minerals in accordance with recommendations by the National Research Council and fish nutritionists. Under FDA requirements, the mill that produces the feed guarantees that ingredients are present at the levels declared on the feed label and that feeds containing medications meet drug level specifications. Prior to pelleting, the mill also analyzes each ingredient to guarantee the absence of toxicants or contaminants. Feeds contaminated with aflatoxins--toxins that occur in moldy feed ingredients--can cause fish deformities and even kill the fish. FDA inspectors routinely examine the mills' feed test results and evaluate their good manufacturing practices. A balanced diet of floating pellets is mechanically scattered on the fish pond's surface once or twice daily. Fish gourmets credit the pellet for the catfish's distinctive flavor, which they say they would recognize blindfolded. Others say the taste comes from the sweet well water in which the catfish grow. This, too, is managed by the farmer. Even before the fish go into the pond, water quality and location are concerns. The farmers make sure the pond's soil is free of pesticides and not contaminated. Then they secure an abundant source of clean water. Most catfish farmers use well water because of its desirable chemical makeup and lack of contaminants. The water quality must be constantly checked for optimum growth requirements: proper temperature, the right amount of oxygen, the appropriate water chemistry, and just the right balance of aquatic plants and weeds. To operate, the farmer must meet state and local requirements on water usage and discharge, as well as the appropriate EPA water permits. Only FDA-approved drugs may be used, with strict adherence to directions for use--particularly directions that tell when the drug must be stopped or "withdrawn" to prevent residues in the fish at the time of harvest. FDA is alert to the potential misuse of drugs and chemicals, including the use of unapproved drugs or chemicals. The agency has approved only five chemicals--including three antibiotics--for use in combating diseases caused by bacteria in the aquaculture environment. The fish-farming industry maintains that this is not enough, especially with resistant strains of bacteria developing to approved antibiotics. FDA supports research to obtain data on the safe use of certain drugs and is encouraging drug manufacturers to develop additional therapies for approval. At the same time, they have developed an enforcement strategy directed towards those who violate the law by selling or using drugs unapproved for use in food fish. To learn the extent of drug use in aquaculture, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, working with field investigators, recently completed a survey of catfish, crayfish, and trout producers. The center and the Office of Seafood are now developing additional analytical methods to test fisheries' products for drug residues. The center is focusing on illegal residues of drugs from off-label use: drugs approved in species other than fish that might be used in fish. The Office of Seafood is focusing on drug residues that may be in imported seafood and has increased sampling of aquaculture products--both domestic and imported--for pesticides and industrial chemicals. Under the best conditions, 18 to 24 months after hatching, the catfish reach a market weight size of 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds. They are transferred from the pond to water-laden, oxygen-treated tank trucks for live shipment to the processing plant. Once the fish reach the processing plant, the responsibility for quality control shifts to the processor, who must comply with FDA's good manufacturing practice regulations and the provisions of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. FDA inspectors routinely visit the plant to assess its compliance with quality control guidelines to guarantee fish quality from processing to packing and storage. If the plant does not comply with these requirements, FDA takes appropriate regulatory action. Re: 3/3 Aquaculture and the FDA ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spokespersons for the catfish industry say they consider quality a number one priority. "Consumers should know we are offering a product grown in a safe and controlled environment that is routinely monitored," says Hugh Warren, executive vice president of the Catfish Farmers of America, a trade association. "Our [current] major thrust is to create a sense of understanding that [with farm-grown catfish] they are getting a federally inspected product." For 90 percent of catfish processors, federal inspection occurs daily. Major commercial catfish processors have voluntarily entered into a contract with the National Marine Fisheries Service--a part of NOAA--to have their products inspected. The catfish processors pay for this daily inspection service. NOAA inspectors issue certificates of quality and conditions of the catfish products. Products that pass inspection can display the seal, "Packed Under Federal Inspection," on the label or carton. With some modification in the breeding requirements of each species, similar methods are used to produce a host of other fin fish and shellfish, with federal and state authorities similarly involved in making sure they're safe to eat. As aquaculture becomes more sophisticated, so do the monitoring tools of government regulators. Their goals, however, remain the same: to keep up with the industry, provide assistance where they can, and enhance the safety of all seafood, including the products of aquaculture. Beverly Corey is a veterinarian with FDA's speechwriting staff. A World Phenomenon Aquaculture worldwide is sophisticated and growing. From a global perspective, China and Japan are still the world leaders whose combined products exceed an annual value of $12 billion. But, they have been at it a great many years longer than anyone else. As the fifth leading producer of aquaculture by dollar value, the United States is making great strides. Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. economy--increasing more than 15 percent per year since 1980. From modest beginnings, the farm value for U.S.-produced fish and other aquaculture projects has risen in 1991 to $750.2 million and is estimated at 543,770 metric tons, or 11,990,128 pounds. The boom in fish farming has been brought about by consumer demand for more fish and a lack of natural supplies. Statistics show that virtually every species of fin fish harvested from U.S. marine waters is now fished at levels above its natural capacity to replace itself. In an age where Americans increasingly search for nutritious but low-fat foods, fish can be an important part of the diet. According to the National Fisheries Institute, a trade association based in Washington, D.C., Americans now consume 22 percent more fish than they did a decade ago. Analysts believe that the level will continue to increase from the current rate of 15.5 pounds per person to 20 pounds per person by the beginning of the next century. Aquaculture provides a way to supplement natural stocks and to potentially provide a steady, year-round supply that processors and retailers can depend on. As one might expect, the products of aquaculture include the ordinary and the exotic, and while not all species are farmed in the United States, our gourmet palates encourage the import of items not fished in our waters. For example, a specialty food shop may stock such items as salmon raised in Chile or Norway, dried seaweed from Southeast Asia, eel from Taiwan, and oysters from Korea--all farm-raised! Not to worry. FDA inspects imports before they enter the country, usually at the port of entry. In 1991, FDA conducted 3,541 seafood inspections and another 4,094 wharf inspections of seafood producers and products. Import sample collections numbered 3,033. In special cases, there are memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with foreign governments that allow FDA to inspect the harvesting areas and processing plants in the country of origin. FDA currently has active agreements for molluscan shellfish from Korea, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Chile. FDA also has MOUs with Iceland, England and Japan. However, these countries are not exporting to the United States at this time. Among the 100 or so aquaculture products cultured in the United States are aquatic plants, eels, abalone, lobsters, carp, tilapia, alligator, trout, hybrid striped bass, crabs, and a variety of mollusks. But four species account for 80 percent of the total volume of all domestic aquaculture products: catfish, crayfish, trout, and salmon. The latest industry statistics list catfish, trout, salmon, shrimp, oysters, and crayfish as the consumers' choice of domestic aquaculture products. In terms of volume, catfish, crayfish and salmon are the industry leaders, while catfish and trout lead in monetary value. --B.C. Re: Aquaculture (mention of biodynamics and alternative agriculture) ------------------------------------- Article 2336 (8 more) in misc.rural: From: Robert Frederick Enenkel Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 16 Jan 92 15:33:27 GMT Aquaculture Magazine is a good source of advertisements from U.S. equipment suppliers. They have a reader response card you can send in for information from any of their advertisers. It costs $21 / year for 6 issues sent to Canada (less I think for the U.S.). There is also a yearly buyer's guide for $15. You can order using a credit card by calling 704-254-7334. Also call Argent at 1-800-426-6258 and ask for their free catalogue and their book catalogue. They have aquaculture chemicals and equipment, and an extensive selection of books. Try cross-posting your request to both rec.aquaria and alt.aquaria. There are several people in those groups who practice small-scale commercial aquaculture, or have in the past. In the mean time I will look for some names of specific people to contact by e-mail. Robert Enenkel Article 2337 (7 more) in misc.rural: From: A.S.Chamove Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 17 Jan 92 00:28:12 GMT Best book I have found on aquaculture is Huet, Marcel. Textbook of Fish Culture: Breeding and Cultivation of Fish, Eyre & Spottiswoode Ltd at Thanet Press, Margate, UK 1971, ISBN o/85238/020/8 Has special sections on carp, pike, trout, perch, catfish, eels. And sections of building dams, feeding, and the usual. Arnold Chamove Massey University Psychology Palmerston North, New Zealand Article 2346 (6 more) in misc.rural: From: Ricardo J Salvador Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 18 Jan 92 18:22:23 GMT Mike Campbell is a graduate student in the Agricultural Education & Studies department here. He has experience and a great interest in aquaculture, biodynamics and alternative agriculture. He is currently working on developing a curriculum in aquaculture under a fairly sizeable grant received by his department. He is not on the net, but if you wish to contact him, call the AgEdS main office here and ask for him: 515-294-5904. Ricardo Salvador | Internet: rjsalvad@IASTATE.EDU | "Thou art a little 1126 Agronomy Hall | BITNET: a1.rjs@ISUMVS | soul bearing about Iowa State University | CompuServe: 71570,212 | a corpse." Ames, IA 50011-1010 | GEnie: R.Salvador | -Marcus Aurelius- Article 2347 (5 more) in misc.rural: From: Bill Spikes Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 17 Jan 92 17:32:54 GMT Along these lines, does anyone know of anyone specifically growin' abalones? The Dept of Fish & Game either doesn't plant enough or the sea otters are getting too frisky. Bill Article 2423 (20 more) in misc.rural: From: John Long Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 29 Jan 92 19:55:59 GMT >Along these lines, does anyone know of anyone specifically growin' >abalones? The Dept of Fish & Game either doesn't plant enough or the >sea otters are getting too frisky. There is a research project in Kona looking at the possibility of generating power from the difference in temperature between surface and deep sea water, known as ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). As a sideline in the project, the used cold water is piped to aquaculture experiments at the site. The aquaculture experiments have been successful enough to become commercial, one of them is even doing very well on the stock market (that's the most important thing, after all! ;^) Abalone are grown, as are 'Maine' lobsters, salmon have been spawned, and have returned and been harvested, edible seaweeds, and others. Cold water from the deep has many advantages over surface water, which I can't enumerate. All in all, the aquaculture experiments have been extremely promising. -LongJohn 3767 Article 3767 (14 more) in misc.rural: From: bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano) Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 15 Oct 92 03:13:01 GMT Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA) There has been a great deal of intensive fish farming going on in parts of Asia for at least centuries so they have developed a number of efficient systems. Generally the carp species are best suited since they can thrive on a variety of feeds many of which can be produced in a farm situation as a byproduct. The tilapia species in particular are well suited to raising in a small high production pond although certain requisites in- clude maintaining a fairly warm pond temp. (65 to 85 deg F), some aeration of the water, and certain companion plants. Experiments were done for several years at the New Alchemy Institute in Massachusetts, installing the ponds inside a greenhouse for warmth through the seasons and using plexiglass tanks to let sunlight in from the sides although this is not necessary. The earthworms would certainly be a feed for the fish but tilapia surprisingly tend to do better if the diet is lower in protein, so other feeds could be added. Tilapia are a bit like pigs; they'll eat almost anything so kitchen scraps or cuttings from a veg garden are also useful. At the risk of getting a bit too graphic: tilapia can thrive on manure alone as a feed, although I cannot remember which manure is most suitable for this, I think pig manure is used in Malaysia and works quite well. Article 3954 (30 more) in misc.rural: From: bill@chaos.cs.umn.edu (Hari Seldon...psychohistorian) Subject: Re: Aquaculture Organization: University of Minnesota Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 21:44:33 GMT In <1binjtINN9jg@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano) writes: >The tilapia species in particular are well suited to raising i do believe that this particular species is *not* wanted in this particular state by the local natural resources folks. i think it had something to do with their tendancy to take over. so you might want to verify if any species you want are allowed in your state. tilapia will also live quite well in a ditch (if the information generated by the local d.n.r. is true) bill pociengel Article 3958 (29 more) in misc.rural From: Mark Crispin There is a problem with Asian style fish ponds that may make you think twice about whether or not you really want one. They're natural incubators for new strains of influenza. It goes like this; it is pretty common to keep both ducks and pigs at a fish pond. The pigs eat, among other things, duck manure; and both ducks and pigs are protein sources for humans. So far so good. Unfortunately, as a result of eating the duck manure the pigs are exposed to avian influenza. Apparently, through some not-yet-completely understood processes, the avian influenza and swine influenza viruses combine or mutate inside the pig and become a new strain. Humans can't get avian influenza but they can get swine influenza. The massive expansion in the number of fish ponds in Asia under UN funding is postulated as a probable cause of the great number of new strains of influenza which have emerged in Asia. I would suggest that if you do have a fish pond, it would be prudent not to permit your pigs to eat avian manure. This would hopefully break the cycle. As I implied, this process hasn't been proven yet, but it's the most plausible explanation offered to date for the observations. While we're spending billions of dollars in the name of prudence with `global warming' (which remains unproven), it seems reasonable to take a few less costly steps to prevent your fish pond from being a potential source of a new strain of flu. Article 3961 (28 more) in misc.rural: From: bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano) Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 16 Oct 1992 03:04:11 To Dean Nelson: your original posting asked about the use of earthworms which are thriving on the rabbit manure on your farm. I wrote a reply concerning some aspects of the fish pond system and the tilapia fish in particular. Since you do not have pigs, then the mention of pig manure should not be as specific advice, only that this particular fish is extremely hardy. Several postings on this thread have advised caution in these areas. Let's go back to the original, then. A small farm with various possibilities of using byproducts in an efficient manner. This particular subject has intrigued me for several years. Much literature is written on farming for a profit, looking for the right crop and raising it for the highest production, essentially for an external market. I am much more interested in how =well= say a family of four can feed itself on a small piece of land, say 5 acres. There are books and studies in this area, especially for efficient vegetable production. But beyond that, for such a small land area, for meat eaters (such as myself), how efficient can a system be designed for the smaller livestock, i.e. poultry, rabbits, etc.? For example, could certain insects be bred specifically for feed for one of these (and let's include a fish pond too)? There is an insect food newsletter from a university back east but I do not have the name handy. The earthworms are close, then, to this idea. What would be the most efficient way to use them for food production on a small homestead? I think much more research should be done in this area. As for the fish pond, a bass pond or some other fish may be more useful for your location. However, tilapia being a tasty and easy to grow fish and also often grown organically so that a higher price can be had, is a fast growing fish industry, although it has been slow to catch on in the U.S. A few refs: The dome as nursery and breeding pool for tilapia. R. Zweig New Alchemy Institute 1980 Summary of fish culture techniques in solar algae ponds. R. Zweig, Wolfe J. et al New Alchemy Institute 1980 Tilapia Culture: 1979-1990 Quick Biblio service USDA Beltsville MD March 1991 Article 3977 (23 more) in misc.rural: From: enenkel@cs.toronto.edu (Robert Frederick Enenkel) Subject: Re: Aquaculture Summary: book source Date: 19 Oct 92 15:13:15 GMT I've lost the original posting, but I suggest calling Argent Aquaculture Supplies at 1-800-663-2871 (Canada) or 1-800-426-6258 (USA) and ask for their book catalogue. While you're at it, ask for their aquaculture products catalogue too. They'll send you both free. They have a large selection of useful aquaculture books. (Some of their book prices are a bit high, so after finding the books you want from their descriptions, you might want to check with a local bookstore to see what their special-order price would be. Sometimes it is significantly less.) While I'm at it, let me put in a plug for Carp. Common Carp are the *best tasting* and *best looking* fish. They are also friendly and will stick their big leathery tubular mouths right out of the water and take bread, say, right out of your hand. So there - I've said it. I raise carp in my basement and eat them, and boy are they good. I've even roasted one in my fireplace. How's that for wild crap (carp?) Now I just have to figure out how to get them to spawn. Then I'll be <> and can kiss the rest of the world good-bye :-) :-) Robert Enenkel Article 3981 (35 more) in misc.rural: From: bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano) Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 20 Oct 1992 08:06:26 GMT In reference to Robert Enenkel's posting of growing carp in his home. If he has the time, it would be very interesting to find out a little more: What kind of lighting is used, any plants. What is fed them, the temperature range where they are kept. Is this a Canadian traditional custom, raising carp in the basement? Seriously, if you've read some of my previous posting you would know that I am seriously interested in small scale fish raising such as you have mentioned. Any info would be appreciated. mike romano Article 3982 (34 more) in misc.rural: From: bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano) Subject: Re: Aquaculture Date: 20 Oct 1992 09:29:30 GMT In reference to Larry London's request for further cites of publications by New Alchemy and on the subject of bioremediation, I have the following from my files: Solar Aquaculture: perspectives in renewable, resource based fish production, results for a workshop at Falmouth, Mass. Sept 28, 1981 supported by the National Science Foundation New Alchemy Institute. Bioremediation for marine oil spills. U.S. Gov Doc. Office of Technology Assessment 1991 doc # Y 3.T 22/2:2 B 52.7 Bioremediation of contaminated surface soils by Sims & Matthews. EPA 1989 EP 1.23/6:600/9-90/041 National Conference on Bioremediation (1988). Hazardous waste treatment by genetically engineered or adapted organisms. Superfund '88. Silver Springs, MD Bioremediation of petroleum spills in arctic environments. Alaska Dept of Transportation 1990 Understanding Bioremediation: a guidebook for citizens. EPA 1991 doc EP 1.8:B 52/2 Quick Bibliography Series # 92-47. Biotechnology and Bioremediation. National Agricultural Library Beltsville MD 1991 Practical environmental bioremediation. Barry King Lewis Publishing 1992. Article 3985 (32 more) in misc.rural: From: enenkel@cs.toronto.edu (Robert Frederick Enenkel) Subject: Re: Aquaculture Summary: Carping about Carp Date: 20 Oct 92 15:19:51 GMT >My step-father had a good way of preparing carp. Take one carp, nail it >to a board. Build a nice smokey fire and slowly rotate the carp for several >hours. Then take the carp off......... and eat the board. ;> Actually, I forgot to mention the one bad thing about carp: the bones! They have the strength of piano wire and are quite dangerous, as well as easy, to get stuck in your throat if you're not careful. It helps to get a large carp, at least 12 pounds, as small ones are functionally inedible due to the large number of Y-bones. Robert Enenkel Article 3998 (39 more) in misc.rural: From: Bob Kyweriga Subject: Aquaculture Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1992 15:10:49 GMT : I am interested in starting up a small tank or pond to raise some fish. : Does anyone know a good source of information? A good introduction to aquaculture is The Freshwater Aquaculture Book - A Handbook for Small Scale Fish Culture in North America William McLarney ISBN 0-88179-018-4 This is still in print - and if you just want to look at this, your library can probably get it through a interlibrary loan. A guide to small tank culture is Home Aquaculture - A Guide to Backyard Fish Farming Steven D. VanGorden Douglas J. Strange Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-472-7 Maybe available from Rodale Press; otherwise maybe available from Steven Van Gorden PO Box 109 Breinigville PA 18031 Who also has available a bunch of information sheets on a variety of issues. Also publishes a quarterly newsletter that you probably wouldn't Article 4010 (44 more) in misc.rural: From: Bob Kyweriga Subject: Aquaculture To: misc.rural Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1992 15:57:48 GMT I've been informed that some people are having difficulty in reaching the list server for AQUA-L. If you cannot reach LISTSERV%VM.UoGuelph.CA@VM1.NoDak.EDU you might try LISTSERV@vm.uoguelph.ca