Dedicated To The Tribal Aquaculture Program
 | September 2003-Volume 45_b |
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ashland/mtanhome.html
| Administrative Coordinator: | Edited By: |
TopicsOf Interest:
A Photo Expedition of:
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ST. CROIX WATERS FISHERY
By: Barry Bassett, Danbury, Wisconsin, 715-656-7800
St. Croix Waters Fishery (SCWF) is a state-of-the-art, recirculating aquaculture system or RAS. SCWF is owned and operated by the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. The current facility is the product of an idea that is over 20 years old. Construction began in the summer of the year 2000, and the first fish were brought into the facility in October of 2001.
Within the 170,000 square-foot main building are 332 fish production tanks flowing
with nearly 2 million gallons of water through 13 miles of pipe. SCWF is currently
rearing yellow perch and hybrid striped bass.
The yellow perch is a prized food-fish around the Great Lakes and the North Central United States. At SCWF, the perch are grown to 1/3 of a pound, and then processed through automated machines, resulting in beautiful, single-side, skin-on fillets of 1 to 2 ounces in size. Perch fillets are available fresh or frozen.
Hybrid striped bass are the result of an intra-specific cross between white bass and striped bass. Their history as a popular food fish originates along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. SCWF produces market size striped bass averaging 1.50 pounds. The fish are chilled on ice, packaged, and sold in the whole fish form. Once SCWF reaches full capacity (2004), annual production is estimated at over 1.5 million pounds.
The key to the term RAS, or recirculating aquaculture system, is the term - recirculating. A flow-thru fish production system uses fresh water once and then discards the water. This is not environmentally sound as enormous amounts of water are consumed and wasted. SCWF production starts with cool fresh well water. This initial water is used, cleaned, and reused repeatedly.
When our fish attain harvest size, they are polished in fresh cold water prior to slaughter. The end results are yellow perch and striped bass that are simply delicious. The firm, flavorful fillets are very versatile in the kitchen, lending themselves well to a variety of cooking and preparation techniques. SCWF, a St. Croix Tribal Enterprise, prides themselves on the consistency in both quality and quantity of our products. Give us a call and see for yourself !
| | The MTAN recently visited the St. Croix Waters Fishery and was given the grand tour by the station production manager Barry Bassett. The St. Croix tribe has built a "State of the Art" facility that will set the bar for all other commercial Recirculating Aquaculture Systems. The following images are provided as a guided tour of the exceptional rearing program that has been established for yellow perch and hybrid striped bass at the St. Croix Waters Fishery. | |
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| Within the 170,000 square-foot main building are 332 fish production tanks. | Bulk feed storage bin. | Cooling tower and electric generator |
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| Nearly 2 million gallons of water flow through 13 miles of pipe. | Water chilling system used to adjust water temperatures to maximize fish growth. | Fully equipped diagnostic laboratory used to monitor parasitic infections, bacterial pathogens and water chemistry. |
Aquasonic Algae Control
By: Jay Warecki, Ph.D., fish whisperer, Superior Aquaculture, LLC.
(715) 335-3474; Fax: (715) 335-6547; 7172 Isherwood Rd., Bancroft, WI 54921
Email: info@superiorraceways.com
Overview: Newly introduced to the marketplace in Belgium and the Netherlands, our amazing ultrasonic anti-algae devices that destroy algae present in water basins of all types, including reservoirs, ponds, swimming pools, tanks, air conditioners and large aquariums.Resulting from years of research by inventor Hilaire Thomas into the effects of ultrasonic vibrations, and first developed for horticultural use, our products have proven to be extremely effective and environmentally friendly. They not only solve a number of difficult problems, but also allow for large reductions in the use of expensive and harmful chemicals.
All four models are safe and harmless to all other living organisms, including vascular plants, fish and zooplankton. The units can treat water basins of various sizes with an effective transmission range of up to 100 meters, in a 180 degree arc. The units are also U.S. E.P.A. registered.In the past three years, over 3,000 Aquasonic units have been installed at various horticultural operations in Holland and Belgium, with very good results, and new applications for these devices are developing rapidly worldwide.
Aquaculture Applications:
Four models with maximum ranges of 10m to 100m, emitting outward in a 180 degree arc
Power consumptions: 25 watts to 45 watts
Reduce fish kills
Reduce gas bubble disease by reducing chronic supersaturations
Reduce night-time aeration costs by reducing heavy day-time blooms
Improve effectiveness, penetration, and operational costs of u.v. treatment units
Reduce cleaning and maintenance costs
Reduce toxic blue green algae
Reduce phosphorous emissions by settling out algae without chemicals
Improve esthetics of tanks, pools, and ponds
Improve effectiveness, penetration, and operational costs of u.v. treatment units
Reduce cleaning and maintenance costs
Reduce toxic blue green algae
Reduce phosphorous emissions by settling out algae without chemicals
Improve esthetics of tanks, pools, and ponds
Before and After Images:
| At the beginning of the ultrasonic treatment the water is turbid, full of roaming algae. | After one day the first strings of algae are dead and they float to the water surface. | Movement in the water will show that under the layer of algae the water became clear already. |
| | Some days later most of the algae are dead and they float to the water surface. | |
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| Product and company names mentioned in this publication are for informational purposes only. It does not imply endorsement by the MTAN or the U.S. Government. |
