Shellfish farming beginners' workshop offered
August 1, 2014
907-274-9698
08/01/2014
New and experienced shellfish farmers can learn how to build and operate a shellfish farm Aug. 22-24 at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer.
Ray RaLonde, Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program aquaculture specialist and long-time expert in Alaska shellfish farming, is offering a free three-day beginner’s workshop on how to grow shellfish in the Kachemak Bay area. The focus will be on oysters, but other shellfish will be discussed.
Shellfish farming is expanding in Alaska. As the permitting process and technology become easier, interest in raising and selling oysters is increasing in Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound and Kachemak Bay.
The course includes two classroom days and one day touring a seed-setting facility, a shellfish hatchery and oyster and blue mussel farms.
The course includes a copy of the Alaska Oyster Growers Manual.
There will be an optional field trip on the second morning to visit the farms at Peterson Bay and Halibut Cove. There is a $20 charge for the boat ride. Space is limited to 12 people.
To register, visit www.marineadvisory.org.
The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, which is operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is presenting the workshop in partnership with the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve and the Kachemak Shellfish Mariculture Association.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Ray RaLonde, ray.ralonde@alaska.edu, 907-274-9697.
DM/8-1-14/026-15