Rhode Island Sea Grant is launching “Professional Aquaculture Training: Beyond the Basics for Businesses and Practitioners,” January 2025. Aquaculture is a growing and vital part of the Rhode Island and regional maritime seascape. This course is a hybrid (live, in-person and virtual) 12-week course that aims to provide an advanced understanding of aquaculture in six main topic areas. 1) Economics of Shellfish Farming 2) Staying Healthy in Aquaculture 3) Women and Minorities in Aquaculture 4) Keeping the Peace in Aquaculture 5) Effective Communication In Aquaculture and 6) 21st Century Farming Principles, Practices and Considerations.
This course will provide participants with information so they can continue to competently and confidently improve farm businesses and operations by minimizing conflicts, and take advantage of state and federal resources. It is clear from recent, contentious lease applications that the state’s aquaculture industry will have to do more and make changes if it is to help ensure a more favorable future. This includes ensuring the use of best management practices, more effective communication strategies when engaging with the public, and participating meaningfully in research and outreach, all of which are part of this effort. There are no official prerequisites, but it is highly recommended having taken an aquaculture course available to the public. Weekly guest presenters from the experts will either be available by a pre-recorded video or during a hybrid class.