Maryland Aquafarmer - East Coast Commercial Fishermen's and Aquaculture Trade Exposition 2002

East Coast Commercial Fishermen's and Aquaculture Trade Exposition
	Ocean City Convention Center Ocean City, Maryland February 2-3, 2002
Preliminary Schedule Seminars and Junior Watermen's Program

Saturday, February 2
Hands-on Programs for Youth
12:00-4:00	Junior Watermen's Program Children will move at their own pace through this interactive, hands-on program that highlights fishing, aquaculture and the aquatic environment. Designed as a trade-show in itself, junior watermen will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the wet and wild, paint a fish, harvest oysters, cast out their best, and much, much more.
Commercial Waterman's Program: Looking at the Future
11:00	Is There a New Oyster in Our Future? Speakers who have worked with Crassostrea ariakensis will discuss field trials and experiments in Virginia and the positions that the industry and resource managers have about the problems and benefits of bringing in a new oyster species.
1:00	Blue Crab Panel: Increasing East Coast Crab Production Speakers will give up-to-date information on managing blue crabs for future production in Chesapeake Bay; they will cover the habitat, predation, and stocking issues on the Bay's primary commercial fishery.
2:30	Working Safely U.S. Coast Guard information will cover the latest ways that commercial watermen can work safely and ensure that captains and crew members are well trained in the event of emergency on the water.
3:00	Fishery Resource Grants Program: Helping Watermen Face the Future Specialists from North Carolina and Virginia will speak about these important programs that work directly to assist watermen in trying new methods and developing new gear and fisheries.
Aquaculture Program: Recirculating Systems that Work
11:00	Financial Management in Growing a Business Proper financial management is crucial to any business; this seminar will provide the best information on how to start and run a successful business properly.
12:00	Problems and Pitfalls in Starting a Business Tips and topics from successes and failures in the aquaculture business that will provide growers with ideas about how to buy and transport fish, design and operate a system, and keep in the black in developing a business to raise and sell fish.
12:30	Putting the Pieces Together - How the System Works Before buying or building a recirculating system, growers need to understand what the components are and how they work to provide the life support critical to the survival of the fish. This seminar will give an overview of the components that are required.
1:30	What's Hot? New Species to Watch Growers need to keep on top of the latest technology and species in order to stay ahead of the competition and meet the demands of the market place. Specialists are working with yellow perch, bluegill, cobia, flounder, and other species that may soon find their way from fish farmers to the table.
3:00	Keeping Safe: Fish Health Management for Successful Business Fish health experts will discuss the basics of biosecurity to keep a system and fish free of disease problems. Also covered will be the new Maryland Fish Health program and how it can assure producers quality fish.
Sunday, February 4
11:00	What's New For Your Business? Manufacturers representatives highlight products that can help commercial fishermen, save money in operating expenses, and help to navigate and find product for harvest. This seminar will highlight the latest in technology designed to help commercial operators become more profitable.

For information on the Expo, contact Betty Duty at the Maryland Watermen's Association, (410) 268-7722 www.marylandwatermen.com

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