Aquculture dealt with water quality, invasive species

By Cindy Snyder, Ag Weekly correspondent
Monday, December 22, 2008 1:14 PM CST

TWIN FALLS, Idaho - Water supply remained the No. 1 issue aquaculture producers were talking about in 2008.

Despite a better-than-expected water supply in the Snake River system, spring flows continue to decline. That made negotiations through the comprehensive aquifer management plan (CAMP) process even more pressing.

A 16-member advisory group began meeting in May 2007 and released a draft plan in the fall of 2008. That plan will be presented to the 2009 Legislature.

Linda Lemmon believes the CAMP process increased involvement by people beyond spring users, surface-water users and ground-water pumpers.

“I hope we are on a path to make significant and notable improvements in aquifer levels and spring flows,” the executive secretary of the Idaho Aquaculture Association said.

In addition to trying to improve water supply, aquaculture producers were also trying to keep invasive species from infesting water ways and facilities. While the industry recognizes the very real threat from zebra mussels and quagga mussels, proposed state rules regarding invasive species raised more concerns.

As written, the rules included the same penalty for having an already established invasive species - such the New Zealand mud snail - as for bringing in a new species such as the quagga mussel.

Producers were afraid the rules would put them out of business, Lemmon said. The industry is working with the Idaho Agriculture Department to clarify the proposed rules.

Just this month, Utah confirmed the presence of zebra mussel. Nevada has found both the zebra mussel and quagga mussel. Quagga mussel can clog irrigation and other water pipes in addition to crowding out native snail species.

“I view the quagga mussel as an early detection and early eradication species,” said Amy Ferriter, invasive species coordinator for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, “We don’t want this to become established in Idaho.”

Salmon Falls Reservoir in southern Twin Falls County is considered to be at high risk for infestation. The reservoir is located just off the highway and is a popular spot to hold fishing tournaments, said Gary Fornshell, University of Idaho extension aquaculture specialist.

Complying with the new federal pollution loading permit (NPDES) was at times challenging. The permit was issued a year ago and determined specific phosphorus waste load allocations for individual facilities. In the past, all the facilities were considered together.

One bright spot during 2008 is that fish prices are holding up.

“Although costs of production are up due to higher commodity prices and energy costs, the price received by growers has stayed up high enough to make a profit,” Fornshell said.

However, as the economy slows, there are concerns that seafood consumption will be impacted. Growers will be watching the first few months of 2009 anxiously. Seafood consumption tends to increase going into the Lenten season.

Comments »

Comment on this story

Comments will be approved within 48 hours

Name:

Email: (optional)

Comments:

Image Verification: (Case sensitive)