Josh Fox transports walleye donated by the UW-Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility to Woods and Waters, a private fish farm in Juneau, Wisconsin. Photo: Emma Hauser
The Wisconsin Aquaculture Association will host the 30th annual Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference Feb. 21-22 at the Hotel Marshfield, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The conference is the largest event of its kind in the upper Midwest, bringing together fish farmers, researchers, educators and vendors to learn, share and network with aquaculture professionals across the state and region.
Aquaculture, or the raising of aquatic organisms, is an important part of the global agricultural landscape. Wisconsin has around 2,000 registered fish farms of various sizes. Of these, around 50 farms are commercial-scale operations that produce local seafood, baitfish and fish for stocking as well as support local jobs and the economy. Although small, the industry is diverse, raising different types of fish using a variety of aquaculture systems.
Emma Hauser, aquaculture outreach specialist with University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility and Wisconsin Sea Grant, assists in organizing the event each year. “This annual conference continues to be a critical event for anyone currently involved or interested in becoming involved in aquaculture. We are fortunate to have a great lineup of presenters sharing their expertise from across the Midwest,” said Hauser. “The most important part of this conference is networking and connecting with others in the industry to support the growth and sustainability of aquaculture into the future.”
Peter Fritsch, owner of Rushing Waters Fisheries, agrees. “These events are important to producers. You can learn just as much in conversations in the hallways as the lectures while building relationships with other producers that can last an entire career. These are now like reunions to me,” he said.
The two-day conference will feature talks and breakout sessions on fish health, aquaculture feed, regulation, business resources, fish processing and aquaculture systems. On the second day, participants will have the option to tour Gollon Brothers Wholesale Live Bait, a local fish farm operated by Wisconsin Aquaculture Association President Ben Gollon.
Randy Romanski, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, welcomes attendees to the 2024 joint Wisconsin and Minnesota Aquaculture Conference. Photo: Emma Hauser
Several Wisconsin Sea Grant staff will be presenting at the conference. Aquaculture outreach and extension specialist Dong-Fang Deng will discuss current research on aquaculture feed, and Sharon Moen, food-fish outreach coordinator, will offer ways for fish farmers to connect with local legislators. Last year, Moen successfully organized a fish-farm tour for state lawmakers to learn more about the industry.
Not only will fish be on the agenda, but also on plates. The conference will feature a “Taste of Wisconsin” reception, where participants can try local fish products.
Conference registration is $225 for general admission (which includes membership to the WAA), $150 for current members and $100 for students. Children 12 and under are free.
The conference is supported by various organizations including the Wisconsin Sea Grant, the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative, Minnesota Sea Grant, the UWSP Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility, as well as other sponsors and vendors.
