Available in Spanish here

FIELD TRAINING IN AQUACULTURE AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY

The Aquaculture Field Training Program at Auburn University, Alabama, USA is being held this year, from approximately 21 June through 20 July.  As the title indicates, classroom work will be minimal; most of the training will be done in the field, on our 1,600 acre research and demonstration farm.  Participants will be given experience in fish handling, feeding, sampling and harvesting, marketing and in fish transport using a variety of methods of different technology levels.  They will learn the basics of water quality sampling and analysis and oxygen monitoring.  Fish health management will be covered and some diagnostics for parasites will be demonstrated.  Individual special topics can be accommodated but should be requested in advance to verify. Time will be provided for independent research at the library.

The participants will be exposed to a variety of field experiences in pond aquaculture, recirculating systems, partitioned aquaculture systems, fish transport and handling, feed management and feed trials, pond fertilization, water quality monitoring, aeration technology, fish harvesting and marketing. Each participant will be required to write two extension bulletins or “fact sheets” for use in their home country. The participants will have access to the Auburn University library and a wealth of aquaculture-related research and extension information located in the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures.

This course works best for participants who have at least a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and some fish culture experience. They should understand English; some translation in Spanish and French will be available but not always. Those who have completed Auburn’s CAP program will be given first priority for this field training since the CAP provides the lecture material that is important for the field training to be the most valuable.

For more information on the CAP, please visit the website: http://cap.auburn.edu

Instruction will be in English. Spanish translation may be available part of the time.

Certificates of Participation will be awarded upon completion of the program.

Dates: tentative 20 June to 18 July. Do not purchase airline tickets yet; these dates may change.

Cost:$2,500 for tuition; the participants are responsible for their own living allowance.  Recommended living allowance is $900 for meals and incidentals and $600 for lodging, plus additional $150 for required health insurance bringing the total to $1,650 for living allowance.

It is recommended that the lodging and incidentals funds be secured locally and that the international trainees apply for a B-visa.

Trainees are responsible for their own transport to Auburn, which includes airline tickets to Atlanta, GA and shuttle from Atlanta to Auburn ($49-$59). Arrival in Montgomery, Alabama is also possible. If trainees arrive in a group of more than 2, it may be possible for pick up in Atlanta or Montgomery.

Auburn is not providing scholarships for this training; candidates must secure their own funding.

Prospective participants are asked to fill in the form after which a conditional acceptance letter will be e-mailed.  In order to reserve your place, a deposit of $500 will be required.

INDICATIVE PROGRAM FOR AUBURN AQUACULTURE FIELD TRAINING
About 2 hours per day will be available for literature search and work on writing extension bulletins. Trainees may be divided into groups for field work.

Week 1:
Arrivals and administrative arrangements: get banking; Auburn ID’s issued, training room keys. Introduction to station and safety procedures at ponds.
Use of library and document access.
Propose fact sheet subjects
Station tour
Seining ponds, and drain for re-stocking.
Keeping field notebooks on research stations and on farms; Farm records
Oxygen meter maintenance and use
Compressed oxygen use: cylinder care, regulators, flow meters and safety
Visit fish market

Week 2
Pond management: fertilizer applications, pond preparation for zooplankton production
Oxygen meter maintenance and use
Water quality checks
Feed management; setting up feed trials
Fish handling: tilapia fry harvesting, quantification and grading
Treatment of fish: dip, bath and pond treatments
Hatchery options for egg incubation and hatching, larval feeding, fry production
Visit fish market

Week 3
Field trip to West Alabama, 2 days: commercial catfish farm; in-pond raceway systems; hydroponic and intensive tilapia system; fish processors, feed mill visit
Management plans for fish farms
The “non-fish” aspects of management: people
Aeration and fish transport: diffuser options; air vs oxygen and calculating oxygen transfer rates
Paddlewheels, air injectors and fountain aerators

Week 4
Revisions on fact sheets
Interviews and discussions on How to work with farmers
Training plans for home country
Pond harvests, fish transfers
Evaluation of fish production, feed conversion and pond records
Individual presentations of fact sheets

Fill out the form below if you are interested in participating in this program.

First Name *

Last Name *

Phone Number *

E-Mail *

Address *

Source of Funding *

Highest Level of Education and Subject Matter *

Current Connection to Aquaculture *

CV *

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Have you taken the CAP Program? * Yes No I am signed up to take the CAP Program

Aquaculture Master Trainer Program

Auburn University

International Center for Aquaculture and Aquatic Environments

AquaFish CRSP

Call for Nominations and Applications

The Aquaculture Master Trainer Program aims to consolidate and focus the technical foundations of aquaculture development in selected countries where the AquaFISH Collaborative Research Support Program(CRSP) is operating.  The program has three components:

i)               a fully-paid subscription to the Certification of Aquaculture Professional (CAP) distance learning program (see: http//cap.auburn.edu)

ii)             payment of fees for a one- month advanced refresher field training at Auburn University, Alabama for experienced aquaculture trainers,

described at http://www.ag.auburn.edu/fish/blog/2011/03/29/field-training-in-aquaculture-at-auburn-university/

iii)            Following the field training course, participants will work with AquaFish CRSP personnel to conduct two one-week training programs in their home countries; with cost contributions from the Master Trainer Program.

This call seeks nominations for candidates to participate in the Master Trainers program.

Government Aquaculture Directorates,  Aquaculture Training Institutions,  Fish Farmers’ Societies and NGO’s working in Aquaculture  in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda are invited to propose two candidates each (one male and one female) for the Aquaculture Master Trainers program.  A completed application consists of: 1) a letter of support for the nominee explaining why each individual merits selection and the likely impacts of the training on aquacultural development in your country and the region; 2) an application form below completed by the nominee; and 3) a resume or curriculum vitae for each candidate proposed.

The deadline for receiving completed applications is April 20, 2011.

Only two candidates per country will be selected for funding. Successful candidates and their respective sponsors will be notified by 12 May 2011.  One alternate person will be selected per country in the event that a selected candidate cannot participate. Upon notification, the candidate will have to complete the USAIDTraiNet formalities and must register for the CAP and begin the course before the field training begins.

All submissions must be made electronically on this site see form below:

The completed submission includes:

1. Completed Application,
2. Resumé of previous training and experience
3. Sponsor’s  supporting letter  stating why the person is the best choice to participate in the Master Trainers program. The letter should address the candidate’s past, current and anticipated future aquaculture training activities.

Once selected, candidates will obtain visas through TraiNet (USAID) with guidance from Auburn University.  Selected candidates must be able to travel to the US on short notice, and for one month as early as 10 June 2011 or within the month thereafter; the dates will be set by the time the candidates are announced.

No funds are available for passport or visa applications. Please know that multiple visits to the US embassy may be necessary, but we will alert USAID program officers of the need to expedite visa applications for the selected participants.  The candidates will have to cover all of the visa expenses themselves.
Approved round trip air transport to and from Atlanta, GA USA will be reimbursed.  If necessary, an e-ticket can be provided once the training dates have been finalized. Transport from Atlanta to Auburn will be facilitated.

Soon after arrival at Auburn for the field training, each participant will be provided with a sum of $1,650 to cover lodging, meals and other incidentals and a health insurance fee of approximately $100.

The CAP and field training are open to other candidates who pay their own fees.  Registration forms are on the website of each program.

A pdf copy of the passport must be provided only after the candidates have been selected