Outcomes of A Workshop on the Future of Food-Fish Aquaculture in Minnesota

Don Schreiner, Fisheries Specialist, MNSG

Wisconsin Aquaculture Association

Feb. 15, 2019

Presentation Outline

• My background and bias

• MN Sea Grant Program

• Brief status of food-fish/seafood aquaculture

• MN aquaculture workshop and outcomes

• Future direction

Don’s Background and Biases

• Worked for MN DNR 34+ years

• Managed wild stocks

• Some aquaculture exposure

– Commercial bait industry in Fergus Falls

– Bait & fish for stocking WAE in Alexandria

– Lake Superior

• Smelt and cisco (VHS) – bait

• Net pens

• Always cautious about aquaculture

Why is MN Sea Grant Interested in Aquaculture?

• SG mission is to connect people with aquatic science

• Aquaculture is part of SG parent organization, NOAA

• NOAA is in the DOC, charged with developing US aquaculture

• Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture

• Sea Grant supports research, education, outreach - $7-15 M

Status of Seafood Production in U.S.

• U.S. responsible for 1.5% of aquaculture production

• U.S. is the world’s 2nd largest seafood consumer

• ~90% of seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported

• $14 billion seafood trade deficit by value (2016)

MICB 520-01 Agroterrorism

7

Where Is All the Aquaculture? – World View

http://pubs.iclarm.net/resource_centre/media/pdfs/blue_frontiers/report.pdf

Why a MN Food-fish Workshop?

• New initiatives - under the radar

• Communication b/t industry and gov.

• NOAA grant for conferences/WS

• Who – Industry, Agencies, Academia

• Acknowledgments – Keynotes and slides

– John Downing – MN Sea Grant Director

– Carole Engle – Engle-Stone Aquatic$ (WAS)

– Caird Rexroad – USDA, AC Research Director

– Steve Summerfelt – AC Systems Res. FW Soc.

– Chris Hartleb – UW - Stevens Point – Director Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (NADF) and Aquaponics Innovation Center

– Greg Fischer – UW - Stevens Point -Manager – (NADF)

Major Question• “Can an environmentally responsible and sustainable

food-fish aquaculture industry be established in Minnesota and if so, what might be the best ways to proceed"

• Participant Response “Yes, but it will take a balanced, thoughtful and collaborative approach.”

Three Major Themes

• 1 - Prioritizing production strategies and species for food-fish aquaculture in Minnesota

• 2 - Identifying research needs and information gaps

• 3 - Examining policy and regulatory issues

Prioritizing production strategies and species in Minnesota

• Production strategies -– RAS or recirculating aquaculture systems was ranked highest

– Flow-thru systems – spring fed

– Ponds less effective for food-fish

• Cold climate

• Slow growth rates

• Environmental risk

• Species –

– Walleye - most preferred

– Followed by Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Shrimp

Systems Used and Species Reared in MN Food-fish Aquaculture

System Percentage

Aquaponics 48%

Ponds 24%

RAS 20%

Flow-thru 4%

Various 4%

Species Percentage

Tilapia 24%

Shrimp 20%

Yellow Perch 12%

Rainbow Trout 12%

Various 12%

Koi 8%

Walleye* 8%

Crayfish 4%

Data from 2018 state licensed

food-fish growers

Total licensed = 26

Identify Research Needs and Information Gaps

• For social and economic needs:

• Statewide market study - supply-demand, price points, etc.

• Consumer information on benefits of farm-raised fish

• Environmental risks : both + and -

• Technically trained workforce

Identify Research Needs and Information Gaps(Cont.)

• For biological needs:

• Year-round broodstock/gamete

• Selective breeding - increase growth and survival

• Better nutrition (feeds) - species and life stage specific

• Expanded disease detection/control methods

• Advances in facility technology/bio-security

Examining Policy and Regulatory Issues

• For policy needs:

• Update the statewide aquaculture plan

• Form a Minnesota Aquaculture Association

• Hire an Aquaculture Coordinator

• Create funding programs, grants and examine fees

• Work to improve social acceptance of aquaculture

Examining Policy and Regulatory Issues(Cont.)

• For regulation needs:

• Clarify/streamline regulations w/in and among state agencies

• Investigate permit fee structures

• Coordinate between industry and agencies before legislation

Value of MN Aquaculture

2012 US Census of Agriculture (Minnesota)

Aquaculture – $5.6 M Recreational Fishery ~ $2.4 B direct and $4.2 B indirect

Food fish$1.7 M

Sport fish$1.5 M

Bait fish$2.4 M

Aquaculture vs Recreational Fishery Value

State Total Aquaculture *bait, stocking, food

Food-fish Aquaculture *

Recreational Fishery **

MI $1.53 Million $1.18 Million $2.4 Billion

MN $5.62 Million $1.72 Million $2.4 Billion

WI $5.30 Million $2.41 Million $1.4 Billion

*2013 Aquaculture Census

**2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife related Activities, USFWS

Conclusions• Large market for fish and seafood

– safe, healthy, locally produced food

• A market study is needed to direct industry

• RAS systems with Walleye (Shrimp) are favored

• Industry and government must communicate

• Public perception of aquaculture must change

– gain social acceptance

What’s Next for MN Sea Grant

• MN DNR and MN Sea Grant work to develop clear start-up information for potential growers

• Pursue funding for a market study

• Growers need realistic expectations

• Foster industry-government communication

• Educate public and professionals on aquaculture

Interested ??

http://www.seagrant.umn.ed

u/aquaculture/workshop2017

Document and videos of

keynote presentations

Questions