MAF 512 - Aquaculture Management, Prof. Daniel Benetti

Goals:
This course will examine the various strategies of resource exploitation and utilization in developing aquaculture projects, including environmental, technological, social, economical, and administrative aspects.

Material:
Management strategies of fish, crustacean, mollusk, and non traditional species farming will be studied, both at hatchery and growout levels. The course will cover all stages of planning and development, from site selection and feasibility study to processing, market and commercialization, with emphasis on determining the technical and economic feasibility of aquaculture projects.

The course program will cover criteria for site and species selection, facilities design, levels of management intensity and risk assessment. Manpower requirement ar all operational levels and labor costs will be examined, as well as auxiliary industries, including feeds, fertilizers, chemicals,materials and equipment needed. Additional infrastructure inputs necessary for project development such as transportation, electricity, refrigeration and processing plants, will also be addressed.

An overview of culture systems used for production will be presented in order to demonstrate different management approaches. The potentials and constraints of aquaculture operational systems will be examined. Concepts of efficiency and the use of available resources will be addressed with respect to increased productivity and maximum resource utilization. Strategies for project development such as R&D, pilot-scale operations and expansion to commercial production will be studied. Environmental issues will be evaluated in regards to the development of sustainable, environmentally-friendly aquaculture industry.

Students will learn how to make aquaculture business and production plans and to identify and organize the available resources for developing both government and private aquaculture projects. The preparation of projects and grant proposals will be outlined. The course will provide the necessary background information to enable students to work in the future as managers. Consultants or extension workers in aquaculture operations.

Assignments:
Mid term and Final examinations, and term paper and written assignment.

Grades:
Grades are based on 40% examinations, 40% term paper, and 20% classroom attendance and participation.

Textbook: