The Institute of Marine Affairs gave another boost to fish farming in Trinidad and Tobago by hosting a workshop on Re-circulating Aquaculture Systems at its facilities in Chaguaramas from June 29 to July 1.
Thirty-two participants received hands-on training in the design, operation and management of re-circulating systems for culturing fish.  Daily sessions included both the practical and theoretical aspects of using these systems.  The participants came from diverse backgrounds; all with previous training or experience in fish farming and included persons interested in tilapia culture as well as those interested in ornamental fish culture.

Presenters at the Workshop included Prof. Indar Ramnarine, Chairman of the IMA’s Board of Governors; Harnarine Lalla of the Fisheries Division, Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Resources; Denise Dickson-Cunningham, Agricultural Development Bank; Vivian Joseph, Environmental Management Authority,  and Dr. Darryl Banjoo, Officer in Charge of the IMA’s Marine Chemistry Department.

Facilitators of the Workshop were Eric Roderick, CEO Fishgen (University of Wales);  Dr. Carla Phillips of The University of the West Indies School of Veterinary Medicine and Paul Gabbadon, Officer in Charge of the IMA’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Programme.

Participants also received information on the EMA’s Water Pollution rules, as well as advice on Government incentives for aquaculture and the opportunities available for financing.

At the end of the workshop, participants were equipped to design their own systems, monitor water quality and assess and manage the health of their fish.