The third and final group is the Technical Committee (TC), composed of a research sub-committee and an Extension sub-committee. They also take part in the setting of research priorities, but my experience has been that if the IAC doesn’t agree with their priorities, then the Board likely won’t either. This is why the IAC is so important. The technical committee is largely composed of university researchers who will design and ultimately conduct research and Extension projects based on priorities developed largely by the IAC working in conjunction with the technical committees. Funds will be provided to their respective university or other entity with the expectation that high-quality research or Extension activity will be conducted to fulfill the priorities. It is important to note that as projects are developed, they each undergo scrutiny by a Project Review Committee (three technical and three industry representatives). Once a project is developed and written, the Board must approve the project and appropriate the funds.

What does NCRAC really mean to you – the producer? There are limited dollars available to conduct the type of research producers so desperately need – which is applied studies that can enhance our bottom line in a very short time frame, say within 5 years. NCRAC administers much of these available applied research funds in our region. In Ohio, the Centers at Piketon have received research & Extension funds from in-state sources, but in the last ten years, a significant source of Ohio aquaculture project funds have come from NCRAC. They’ve gone to OSU, Hocking Technical College, and private producers in Ohio. Ohio needs to be well represented at the table when NCRAC sets goals and priorities. Otherwise, we let other states set the priorities for our region and they may not reflect Ohio aquaculture.

So what is important to Ohio aquaculture? The recently completed “2002 Ohio Aquaculture Status Report” provides information that will guide Laura, Chris, and myself in our efforts representing you at the upcoming NCRAC meeting. Key points from that survey include that 35% of respondents culture perch, another 33% culture trout, and 29% culture bass and bluegills. Nearly 66% use ponds while 43% use tanks (many use both) to grow fish. Growing food fish is done by 37% of respondents, while 34% raise game fish for stocking. Combine these data with up-and-coming opportunities such as freshwater shrimp and baitfish production and the three of us have plenty of subjects to represent Ohio aquaculture with. Have an opinion? Feel free to enlighten me at lynch.5@osu.edu.