Biosecurity in Fish Farming Operations
Saturday, Oct 18,   9 am to 4 pm
Franklin County Technical School, 82 Industrial Boulevard, Turners Falls, MA

A team of aquaculture scientists will present a program on fish health, fish diseases and how protect your facility from fish pathogens. In the morning, we will meet at Franklin County Technical School to learn the latest information concerning fish diseases in the Northeast.

In the afternoon, we will take part in a biosecurity assessment of Four Star Farms, in Northfield MA (15 minutes from Turners Falls). Four Star Farms grows largemouth bass in ponds, RAS and in season-shifting tanks to allow for year-round spawning. They are also developing a trout culture system. 
REGISTRATION – All individuals interested in finfish production are encouraged to attend. 
            There is no charge for the meeting but pre-registration is encouraged.
            Participants who are pre-registered will receive a free lunch.  
To register:  call Craig Hollingsworth at (413) 545-1055, or email chollingsworth@umext.umass.edu.
 
 8:30 – 9:00      Registration & refreshments
 9:00 – 9:15      Welcome and overview of the workshop –
                                    Michele Walsh, Micro Technologies, Inc. Richmond ME
 9:15 – 9:45     Emerging Diseases of Fish in the Northeast
                         (VHSV, Spring Viremia of Carp, Largemouth Bass Virus & Koi Herpes Virus) –
                                    Paul Bowser, Cornell University
      9:45                        Break
10:00 – 10:30  New Technologies in Fish Disease Diagnostics –
                                    Jim Casey, Cornell University 
10:30 – 11:00   Implementing Biosecruity at Australis – 
                                    Keith Wilda, Australis Aquaculture
11:00 – 11:30    Biosecurity & Best Management Practices - Practical Ways of Mitigating  Disease on the Farm –  
                                    Michele Walsh, Micro Technologies, Inc
12:00 –  2:45     LUNCH
12:45 –  1:00     Travel to Four Star Farm, Northfield MA
  1:15 – 1:45      Farm tour –
                                    Reagan Ellis; Gene and Nathan L’Etoile
   2:00 – 4:00     Biosecurity audit & fish health inspection (includes Q&A & discussion)
                                    Michele Walsh, Micro Technologies, Inc

Directions to Franklin County Technical School

1. From the West: Take Rt. 2 East, Mohawk Trail, to Rt. 91 North. Take Exit 27, at Rt. 2 East.
*Follow Rt. 2 East, taking a right at the second set of lights. Go across the bridge; then take a left at the lights onto 3rd Street.
**Follow 3rd Street to the top of the hill. Bear left at the fork; follow signs for the airport. Travel 2 miles, taking a left onto Industrial Boulevard. Follow Industrial Boulevard for 1 mile; school is on your right.
2. Travelling From the South: Take Rt. 91 North to Exit 27, Route 2 East*. Follow directions as indicated in #1.
3. Travelling From the North: Take Rt. 91 South to Exit 27, Route 2 East*. Follow directions as indicated in #1.
4. Travelling From the East: Follow Route 2 West, travelling 3 miles past the French King Bridge. At the set of lights at the Mobile Gas Station in Gill, take a left into Turners Falls. Go across the bridge; then follow the directions in #1 from left at lights onto 3rd Street**.