Press Releases and Pictures

COMMERCIAL FISH & SHELLFISH TECHNOLOGIES
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: September 27, 2002
Contact: Angela I. Correa, Virginia Tech (540) 231-2075, or cfast@vt.edu

4th International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture a Success
Roanoke conference offers variety, depth for recirculation aquaculturists in research and industry

ROANOKE, VA - More than 250 participants gathered in Roanoke July 18-21, 2002 to meet with their colleagues in recirculating aquaculture, and discuss progress and problems in the industry. The group included 93 international guests from 25 different countries, as well as regulators, aquaculture industry suppliers, and members of the media, as well as a contingent of middle and high school teachers, who were learning how they might integrate an aquaculture system into their science curriculum.

The conference, which was hosted by Virginia Tech's Commercial Fish and Shellfish Technologies Program (CFAST), was once again sponsored through the collective support of the Aquacultural Engineering Society (AES), the Freshwater Institute, Virginia Sea Grant, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The CFAST group is an integrated group of faculty from four of the University's five colleges, and has established the International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture as the premier event in the world dedicated exclusively to recirculation technology, and applications.

A total of 73 papers were given in 16 symposia, organized by topic. AES moderated two of these sessions, and one additional session was moderated by the Freshwater Institute. The conference also included a trade show with 35 exhibitors. Dr. William Rickards, director of the Virginia Sea Grant College Program, gave the keynote address.

Conference attendees were pleased with the offerings at the 2002 conference, and planning is already underway for the 2004 conference, and a Call for Papers has already been issued. The dates for the 2004 conference are July 22-25, 2004, once again at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. To request a PDF or paper copy of the call for papers, please contact Angela Correa at the e-mail address or the phone number listed.