NewsLetter
Autumn
2001
2001 Annual Meeting Set for February 7 and 8 in Cadillac
The Michigan Aquaculture Association Annual Meeting has been set for
February 7 and 8, 2002. The meeting
will be held at McGuire’s Resort in
The program will be sponsored by Michigan Sea Grant and the North Central
Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC) and will consist of a Hybrid Walleye
Workshop on the 7th.
Other sessions on the 7th and 8th will include
Fishmeal Replacement in Fish Feeds, Aquaculture Marketing, Rearing Sunfish for
the Food Market, Stress Responses of Salmonids and Percids, EPA Water Quality
Standards for Aquaculture, and The Future of Regional Aquaculture Centers. Registration costs are $30.00 for
Active, Sustaining, and Associate Members and $60.00 for
Non-Members.
The Association Business Meeting will be held on February 8, beginning at
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has reported to the State Veterinarian the presence of Myxobolus Cerebralis, the parasite that can cause Whirling Disease, in a fish sample taken from the settling basin of the Harrietta State Fish Hatchery, an MDNR facility.
John Hnath, MDNR fish pathologist reported that a confirmed spore of M.
Cerebralis was detected in September of 2001 from a sample of 60 fish taken from
the settling basin of the hatchery.
Hnath stated that more samples have been collected from the settling
basin and from the effluent stream that flows into Slagle Creek to look for
other positive fish.
According to Hnath, MDNR will decide how to manage the issue based on
what the additional tests show.
Michigan Aquaculture Association President Dan Vogler has commented that
the Association is watching the development of the situation very carefully to
assure that an equal standard is applied to both public and private fish. Vogler notes that under current MDNR
policy a private facility would probably be prohibited
from stocking public waters under similar circumstances. The Association supports a
re-examination of current M. Cerebralis policy using sound science risk
management concepts.
MDA to Develop Memorandum of Understanding with MDNR
The Michigan Department of Agriculture is beginning work on a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with the MDNR for issues related to aquaculture. The two
agencies had identified potential areas of conflict between the objectives of
the agencies regarding the industry.
MDA Aquaculture Coordinator, Dr. Doug Hoort has been tasked with drafting
the MDA version of the MOU. In a
meeting between MDA, MDNR, Michigan Farm Bureau and MAA, it was decided that
there had to be clear delineation of authority under one state agency in order
for the industry to prosper. At the
same time MDNR felt that their concerns were not being adequately addressed by
MDA. The solution proposed was the
MOU process.
Both MDA and MDNR will produce draft proposals and meetings will be held
to resolve differences. MAA and MFB
will be highly involved in this process.
MAA president Dan Vogler
suggests that aquaculturists contact Dr. Hoort [(517) 373-8205] with
concerns. This input will allow him
to create a draft that addresses the issues that are on the forefront for the
industry.
New House Bill 4150:
Aquaculture Exempted, Bogged Down in House
The Michigan Aquaculture
Association Board of Directors has voted to not oppose the new Aquatic Species
Bill sponsored by Representative Susan Tabor because aquaculture has been
effectively exempted from the bill.
However, the bill has bogged down in the House due to opposition from
other groups.
After negotiations with the sponsor of the bill and the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources, language has been adopted that will effectively
exempt all production aspects of aquaculture operations from regulation by
MDNR. MDNR will still maintain
authority over stocking fish in public waters.
According to Association President Dan Vogler, the discussions with MDNR
have been difficult because of their desire to regulate the importation and
transportation of aquaculture species.
“MDNR has insisted that they have the authority to regulate the
importation and transportation of aquaculture species, those authorities very
clearly belong to the Michigan Department of Agriculture as spelled out in the
Aquaculture Development Act and the Animal Industry Act.”
Critical assistance in the negotiation effort has come from the Michigan
Farm Bureau. Their ability to stay
on top of developments and make the right contacts has been very
important.
With the bill bogged down due to other opposition, the Association will
continue to monitor any developments and determine an appropriate response.
The new owners of the Green River Trout Farm have been denied permission
to operate by the Natural Rivers Zoning Board. The Zoning Board, acting on the
recommendation of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, has denied the
Hallberg family permission to operate the farm which relies on water diverted
from the
The Hallbergs are appealing the decision which will be heard by an
Administrative Law Judge at the Farm in the Spring of
2002.
Elections For MAA Board to be held at Annual
Meeting
Elections will be held
during the Association Annual Meeting in Cadillac. The positions of President and one
Director are up for election to a two-year term. President Dan Vogler, and Director Rick Weidenhammer have announced that
they intend to run for re-election.
Anyone interested in running for these positions must be an Active or
Sustaining Member of the Association and should inform a member of the Board so
that his/her name can be announced in the official meeting notice to be mailed
in January and included on the ballots for the elections.
Ads Needed: The Newsletter is currently seeking
advertisers. Contact Dan Vogler at
(231) 389-2514. Rates: $15/ad,
maximum 35 words.
Celebrating 65 years, ZEIGLER BROS. offers a full line of
high performance aquaculture feeds: starter to growout. Call us TOLL FREE to learn more
(800-841-6800).
Wanted: 30 to 50 MALE rainbows and browns with NO
DEFECTS for grow out.
Must have disease free certification. I will haul myself and I’m willing to
pay extra for sorting. (219) 894-9055
jjbaird@ligtel.com
The NewsLetter is the
official publication of the Michigan Aquaculture Association. For information or comments contact Dan
Vogler at (231) 389-2514, e-mail: dan@homesteadtrout.com
Your MAA
Board:
President: Dan Vogler (231) 389-2514
Vice President: Jerry Kahn (517) 724-5241
Sec'ty/Treasurer: Steve Ouwinga (231)834-7720
Director: Rick Weidenhammer (231) 548-5323
Director: Russ Allen (517) 347-5537
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION /
RENEWAL
(Please Print and Check Appropriate
Information Boxes)
NAME: _________________________________________________ SPOUSE'S NAME: ____________________________
BUSINESS NAME: _____________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY/TOWN: __________________________________________________________________________________________
STATE:___________________ ZIP:____________________
HOME PH:(____)_____-___________ BUSINESS PH:(____)_____-___________ FAX:(____)_____-___________
E-Mail:___________________________________ o Yes, I would like the e-mail
version of any newsletters and updates from the association.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RUNS FROM
JANUARY 1ST THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST
Membership Options
_____ Sustaining (Voting - one vote per
membership) w/National Aquaculture Assc. Membership
$100.00
____ Active (Voting - one vote per
membership) w/National Aquaculture Assc. Membership
$50.00
____ Associate (Non-voting membership)
w/National Aquaculture Assc. Membership
$40.00
____ Associate (Non-voting membership) w/o National Aquaculture Assc. Membership $25.00
Please make your check payable to: Michigan Aquaculture
Association
1. Are you a (Check all that apply):
( )Producer (
)Broker
( )Fee Fishing Operation
( )Academic/Extension Personnel
( )Consultant ( )Feed/Equipment
Supplier (
)Other___________________________________
2.
What Species do you work with?
______________________________________________________
3. What species do you sell?_____________________________________________________
4. What species do you grow?____________________________________________________
5. What are the top three challenges that
you see facing your operation in the future?
1)
2)
3)
(Continued on
Back)
6. What are the top three challenges that
are facing
1)
2)
3)
7. What are the top three action items that
your Association can assist you with?
1)
2)
3)
8. What can you contribute to your
Association in terms of abilities, resources, expertise,
etc?
1)
2)
3)
9. Are there aquaculture producers
that you know who are not Members of the
Association?
( )Yes
( )No
10. Any Comments or Suggestions:____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
For
More Information: Please Phone: (231) 389-2514 or E-Mail:
dan@homesteadtrout.com
Please
Remit w/Dues To:
2002 Annual Meeting
Registration
You are cordially invited to
attend the Michigan Aquaculture Association's 2002 Annual Meeting, February 7and
8, 2002 at McGuire's Resort in
This will be an exceptional
opportunity for you to meet and talk with your MAA Board, gain information on
new technologies, and network with the most active participants in the
industry.
Please fill out the form
below and mail it in before
(Please Print and Check Appropriate
Information Boxes)
NAME: _________________________________________________ SPOUSE'S NAME: ____________________________
BUSINESS NAME: _____________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY/TOWN: __________________________________________________________________________________________
STATE:___________________ ZIP:____________________
HOME PH:(____)_____-___________ BUSINESS PH:(____)_____-___________ FAX:(____)_____-___________
E-Mail:___________________________________ o Yes, I would like the e-mail
version of any newsletters and updates from the association.
Cost per person
Early Registration
Late Registration
Num. Attending
Sustaining Members
$25.00
$30.00
________
Active Members
$25.00
$30.00
________
Associate Members
$25.00
$30.00
________
Non-Members
$50.00
$60.00
________
Total:$_____________
Please Remit this form with a check for your total to: Michigan Aquaculture
Association
c/o
The MAA Business Meeting portion of the
program, scheduled for
Dan
Vogler
President,