AquaFarmer

This project ended in September 2001. For more information, please contact AquaTT.

Self- study materials for the small-scale farming of eel and arctic charr

(IS/95/1/1/PI/1.1.e/C)

Contractor
IceTec - The Technical Institute of Iceland, Rekyavik

Project Partners
AQUAFARMER materials have been developed by a consortium which includes a number of Icelandic partners (primarily the Technical Institute of Iceland - IceTec - and the Holar Agricultural College), with The Aquaculture Development Centre, Ireland, as co-author. A second manual on eel farming has been written by a partner in Holland (Project Consultatie en Training)

Project Aims
To develop comprehensive self-study technical materials on arctic charr and eel farming for people in rural and coastal areas of Europe, where fish farming on a small scale, is a feasible employment option.

The AQUAFARMER project gathered together a number of authors from within the EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, using their experience and expertise to develop practical self- study training packages. The target audience for these packages are anticipated to be people in rural and coastal areas where small scale fish farms, started by individuals, are a feasible option. At the same time, the package will be useful to people already involved in fish farming but seeking alternative species to culture in order to supplement their current income. In addition, the manual will also be of interest and benefit to students and teachers of aquaculture.

All aspects of charr and eel farming are addressed in the manuals. Eel farming has been carried out on a large scale in Holland for many years using state-of-the-art recirculation technology. Recent advances in recirculation technology are making eel farming potentially an even bigger business and it is expected that there will be greater interest in eel farming outside of the traditional growing areas.

The principal areas covered for each species are:

  • Evaluation of fish farms in terms of profit within a given geographical area.
  • The official legislation concerning licensing of farms and the relevant EU directives regarding the production of food fish.
  • Environmental aspects of establishing a farm as well as recommended husbandry practices to reduce a farms environmental impact.
  • Considerations regarding broodstock selection and management.
  • Disease prevention-health and safety.
  • Daily management and routine running of the farm.
  • Business administration.
  • Quality and marketing. Guaranteeing a high quality product and the importance of marketing charr on a world wide scale.