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The Negev Foundation drafted a background study on trends and needs
in Ohio and Israel. We have also facilitated discussions between OSU’s
Ohio Center for Aquaculture Development in Piketon, private growers, the Israel
Oceanographic and Limnological Research National Center for Mariculture in
Eilat, and other researchers and growers in both regions.
Ohio’s aquaculture industry, with the exception of one
high-tech facility, is a relatively new and expanding agriculture
sector, mostly open ponds. Aquaculture, which accounts for
3% of Israel’s total agricultural production, is increasingly
intensive, and occurs in open ponds, greenhouses, raceways,
open-water cages and closed recirculating systems. Over 75%
of the water is non-potable. While some species are unique
to each region, others are grown in both: tilapia, rainbow
trout, catfish, grass carp (white amur), freshwater prawn,
and koi and other ornamentals.
Collaborative research could include fish nutrition, physiology
and genetics, including single-sex production; aquaculture
engineering and recirculating aquaculture; alternative (grain
and vegetable) proteins for fish and livestock feeds; pathology
and diagnostics; reducing production costs; and marketing.
We are considering having an Israeli graduate student conduct
dissertation research at the Piketon lab, and exploring Israeli
technologies and funding options for converting Ohio livestock
barns into recirculating aquaculture facilities, perhaps at
Wooster or with a local Ohio farmer.
The Ohio Aquaculture Association, with an Ohio Department of
Agriculture grant, has plans to create a part-time state aquaculture
coordinator position, largely for marketing, in Piketon. It
will be part time for two years, with hopes of then making
it full time. If this position is filled, the Initiative has
an additional $10,500 from the federal FY ’04 appropriation
to help coordinate joint efforts.
We held two workshops in conjunction with the Ohio Aquaculture
Association, at OSU’s Piketon and Columbus campuses,
in July 2004, featuring Mega-Flow technology, an Israeli recirculating
aquaculture system that conserves water while providing a healthier
environment for fish than open pond systems, producing a higher
yield, and allowing for year-round farming in colder climates.
Participants were Ohio farmers, OSU researchers, and the Chairman
of the Ohio Aquaculture Association. One of our staff also
participated in an August 2004 Aquaculture Field Day at the
Piketon facility.
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