Aquaculture-in-Action Update

GOT FISH ??

In November, striped bass from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) Horn Point Lab (HPL) in Cambridge, MD, were delivered to 7 schools participating in the Aquaculture in Action program. The striped bass were spawned in April at HPL and upon the day of delivery measured approximately 17-19 cm and weighed 80-100 g. Faithful MSGSNN readers will remember our exploits last year with the striped bass fish delivery. Once again we were fortunate with the weather and the fish cooperated by only splashing water on the truck once or twice. When we left HPL in the morning with the fish the water temperature was 26°C, but by the time we reached the schools the temperature had dropped to 15°C. The temperature needed careful monitoring so that fish were not shocked when they were acclimated to their new homes at the schools.

Our first delivery on November 8 included North County HS (Gary Rogers) in Anne Arundel County and Watkins Mill HS (Dale Johnsen) in Montgomery County. Gary is new to the program having adopted the system from former NCHS teachers Valerie Wesner. Dale Johnsen is in the second year of the program and decided to try striped bass this year after raising large mouth bass from DNR in '98. We were able to film some of "trip" courtesy of Michael Fincham, Maryland Sea Grant College, to add to our file footage that will be edited into short video that will be used to describe the program to other educational institutions. We always have an interesting time when Michael is directing especially when he drives the fish truck and films at the same time!

Our second delivery the following week included visits to an enthusiastic science club at Randallstown HS (Doug Stransky), Baltimore County, Francis Scott Key HS (Robert Cole), Carroll County, South Carroll HS (Bob Foor-Hogue), Carroll County, and Middletown HS (Ron Albaugh), Frederick County. Once again Michael Fincham provided the directing and students got a taste of what it was like to "perform for the camera". Most teachers received 25 striped bass and had their systems ready to go with only minor modifications of temperature and salinity needed the day of delivery.