The Roger Williams University Center for Economic and Environmental Development today announced it is presently enrolling students to its non-credit course in Practical Shellfish Farming for the winter 2012 semester. This course will provide interested individuals the technical information needed to confidently undertake a small shellfish farming enterprise in Rhode Island and nearby areas of Southern New England. All aspects of shellfish farming, from the broodstock to the market, will be covered over the 12-week course. Students will learn the basic principles of hatchery, nursery and grow-out operations; as well as risk management, siting and permitting, and business management.
Associate Professor and Aquaculture Extension Specialist, Dr. Dale Leavitt, will instruct the course which will be held on the Bristol, R.I. campus of Roger Williams University. The course will consist of a minimum of 12 classes, which will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The class will commence on Jan. 11, 2011 and run through April 18, 2011, weather permitting. The fee for the entire 12-week course, including all handout materials, is $120 per student. Students may attend classes on a drop-in basis at a rate of $10 per evening session. Pre-registration is preferred by contacting Cheryl Francis at (401) 254-3110 or cfrancis@rwu.edu, or Dale Leavitt at dleavitt@rwu.edu.
Session topics and dates are as follows:
Date Discussion Topics
11 Jan Introductions and Shellfish Aquaculture Overview
18 Jan Shellfish Biology
25 Jan Shellfish Growout Systems I – Oysters
1 Feb Shellfish Growout Systems II – Quahogs and Other Clams
8 Feb Shellfish Growout Systems III – Scallops and Mussels
15 Feb Shellfish Nursery Systems I
22 Feb Shellfish Nursery Systems II
29 Feb Site Selection, Permitting and Regulations
7 Mar Risks to Growing Shellfish I - Predators
14 Mar Spring Break – No Class
21 Mar Risks to Growing Shellfish II - Diseases
28 Mar National Shellfisheries Association Meeting – No Class
4 Apr Shellfish Business Management
11 Apr Shellfish Hatchery Techniques I (optional)
18 Apr Shellfish Hatchery Techniques II (optional)