From: GEOBRO@delphi.com
To: AQUA-L@killick.ifmt.nf.ca
TEXAS SHRIMP FARMING SHORT COURSE
Sept. 10-17, 1997
Marine shrimp aquaculture continues to generate a large amount
of interest world-wide. Despite problems in an industry struggling to
attain sustainability, average yields from most farms steadily increased in the early 1990s partly due to improved techniques and these yields stimulated a higher level of interest among potential investors, entrepreneurs and businesses wanting to diversify their holdings. In recent years viruses such as Taura Syndrome Virus, White Spot and Yellowhead have taken their toll on shrimp farm production levels. Even areas where High Health Genetically Improved (HHGI) technologies are practiced have been hit with viruses. Many have found that shrimp farming requires a large investment with many hidden costs and the returns can be low, but if planned and managed properly it can also be very profitable and rewarding work. Much progress is being made toward sustainability in the industry, with new break-throughs occurring almost on a daily basis. The purpose of the 8 day course is to explain the opportunities, costs, procedures, new break-throughs and the pitfalls associated with such an enterprise as concisely and accurately as possible. Every operation has a "learning curve" and the object of this course is to assist with this learning curve and to keep interested parties from "reinventing the wheel", or making the same mistakes made by others. 1997 marks the 12th year the course has been offered in
early Fall to coincide with the pond harvest season, and is a cooperative effort between the Sea Grant College Program at Texas A&M University, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, the University of Texas at Austin (Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas) and privately owned shrimp farms, hatcheries, and processing plants. It is designed to give both in-depth shrimp farming information and practical training in the latest shrimp culture methods. Field trips to both research and commercial shrimp hatcheries, growout ponds, and a processing plant, provide additional opportunities for hands-on learning and one-on-one interaction with the farm owners and people involved in closely related industries. Approximately twenty specialists with international experience assist with the course. A resource library is made available to participants. Lectures are held in the morning and evening and the afternoons are spent in the laboratory. Texas A&M University presents two certificates to participants who complete the course, including 5.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The major goal of the course is to
provide an outstanding educational opportunity to the public and a
better understanding of shrimp aquaculture through a comprehensive
review of current knowledge and management practices.
For more information or a brochure contact: Mrs. Lynn Propes, Texas A&M University, Sea Grant College Program, 1716 Briarcrest, Suite 702, Bryan, Texas 77802, USA. Tel. (409)845-7524, Fax (409) 845-7525, or E-mail address: lpropes@unix.tamu.edu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------