Encouraging Youth Aquaculture

Proud Grani moment - this is so cool!

At seven years old, my grandson will become a third generation fish farmer! 

Being raised around aquaculture, Colton is interested in having his own project, so with the nice change of California weather and encouragement and help from his Grandpa, owner of The Fishery, (his parents and myself), it’s time to get his operation under way.

This weekend, we visited one of his grandfather’s fish farms in Northern California and picked out tanks, decided on the species he will raise (catfish and bass), and measured and prepared a space on a concrete pad at his home. He learned about water quality (optimum temp, CO2, PH, etc) and feed (floating/sinking) and examined incubating sturgeon eggs. 

The tanks and fittings (pipes etc) will be transferred to and assembled at his house and he will be 100% involved throughout the process, learning how the system is put together and how it operates. There will be 4 tanks on well water, and a "settling" tank at the end for aquaponics experimentation, perhaps growing duckweed to supplement the horse, goat or pig feed (he has other animals on the farm).

I will post pics when his mini aqua farm is assembled and the tanks are stocked. He can’t wait to get out there and care for his swimming livestock.

Watching fish is such a peaceful endeavor.

I love that he is interested in aquaculture, there is so much to know. The future of aquaculture is here. Very happy Colton has aquaculture in his blood! 

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.” – Thomas Jefferson