From: london@sunSITE.unc.edu (Larry London)
Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture
Subject: Aquaculture - general information
Date: 1 Jan 93 05:25:05 GMT
Organization: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill


                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
<<self-sufficient>> 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 <bobk2@cfsmo.honeywell.com>
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 <bobk2@cfsmo.honeywell.com>
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