AQUACULTURE STUDENT WORKSHOP 2004

Co-ordinator: AquaTT
Start: January 2004
Duration: 12 months
Funding: 75% by DG Fisheries under the call for Innovative Actions
Partners: Aqualex Multimedia Consortium (AMC) Ltd., Ghent University and Heighway Events

The project finished in December 2004

The inaugural launch of the Aquaculture Student Workshop took place at the Aquaculture International Exhibition in Glasgow, between May 19th and 23rd 2004. The workshop, which received funding from the Directorate General Fisheries, was devised and organized by the partnership of AquaTT UETP Ltd (lead-partner), Aqualex Multimedia Consortium Ltd (AMC), Ghent University and Heighway Events.

The event, the first of its kind, drew in 45 participants from 19 different countries, representing a variety of aquaculture-related disciplines of ranging educational levels. Prior to arrival, the participants and speakers had been provided with a discussion forum to make initial introductions and to learn of the groups to which they would belong in the workshop practical exercise "Ithaca Island".

Workshop Participants
Student workshop 2004
May 2004
Photo taken at the Isle of Arran Distillery, Isle of Arran, Scotland

WORKSHOP FORMAT

The orientation session at the student hostel location on the evening of Wednesday 19th May, provided for the informal opening of the event, setting people at ease with friendly introductions and casual conversation prior to orientating the participants to the case study, which they would undertake in the ensuing two days. An eclectic and energetic group of individuals from the outset, they quickly set about getting to know each other and voicing their interests in the workshop event and the case study to the gathered group of organisers and guest speakers.

The opening session of the workshop was themed the "Current Situation of the Industry" and delivered keynote presentations on sustainability, economics, strategic marketing, organic farming and scientists' perspectives. The presentations on the afternoons of days one and two concerned issues of best practice for young researchers and scientists including topics on networking, gathering information, obtaining funding, excellence in writing scientific papers and oral presentations. The opening session on day two served to highlight "Awareness of Issues" in aquaculture dealing with ethical research and traceability in aquaculture.

Workshop
20-21st May 2004
SEEC, Glasgow Conference Centre

Ithaca Case Study

In the "Ithaca Island" practical the participants put into action the theory and professional skills they had gathered and developed. The intent of the exercise was to make each participant consider every possible aspect for developing aquaculture businesses in harmony with other water users.

The participants, representing industry stakeholder groups, were set to work under the expert guide mentorship of Dr. Denis Lacroix, Ifremer, France.

Through workshop feedback the groups identified the need for clear leadership, communication, decision making, negotiation, delegation, time management and appropriate use of each others' capabilities in order to work effectively as a team.

Each group presented their stance and further justified this chosen position through heated debate, discussion and comment with all engaged in the exercise. All interactions and conclusions reached were summarized in table format and will be shortly made available through the Student Workshop manual in CD-Rom format.

Excursion

The third and final day of the workshop saw blue skies and warm sunny weather, as we set out as a group of 47 to visit the Isle of Arran on the west coast of Scotland. Our host, Marine Harvest Salmon Farm at Lamlash facilitated cage-site visits and explanations of operating an aquaculture installation in the area commenting on all the implications involved. In this way, many students were able to put into context the previous days' theory and practice. The field trip culminated in a final sampler of Scottish hospitatility and culture with a visit to Arran Distillers in the north of the Isle.

Workshop Excursion
22nd May 2004
Marine Harvest Salmon Farm
Lamlash, Isle of Arran, Scotland

WORKSHOP FEEDBACK

Participant and speaker feedback was encouraged at all stages through the project e-network http://www.aquatt/forum , the workshop questionnaire and the networking and social events. Initial feedback clearly demonstrates a high level of interest for the holding of this event on an annual basis. Comments from students included such as "amazing organisation and excellent networking opportunities"; �an event to be definitely repeated"; "it was a great experience both educational and enjoyable"; "the workshop was presented with real professionalism and efficiency" and "if you see people attending a workshop dancing, this is a true indicator of success!". The full questionnaire summary and results were made available through "Training News". To visit Workshop Platform, which consists of the presentations and Learning Support Modules created under the initiative, click on "Student Workshop Platform".