FEBRUARY 2005

A free e-mail news service provided by AquaTT on European Education & Training in Aquaculture.
Please submit any relevant information for dissemination in the newsletter to news@aquatt.ie 

About AquaTT

Contents
1. Education 
- Aquaculture Educational Posters - Series 2005
- AQUALABS Initiative 2005/6 - High Level Training Courses
- AQUATOURS - Virtual Visits to Aquaculture Farms

2. Announcements 
- Annual Irish Shellfish Association Conference - Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, IRELAND 4 March 2005
- Training course on drafting a successful FP6 proposal - Marseilles, FRANCE 9 - 10 March 2005 & Brussels, BELGIUM 5 - 6 March 2005
- Contracts and Consortium Agreements Workshop for Framework SIX - Cambridge, UK 11 March 2005 
- EU-Russia Symposium on S&T cooperation in biotechnology - Moscow, RUSSIA 14 - 16 March 2005
- The European University Association (EUA) Convention - Glasgow, Scotland, UK 31 March - 2 April 2005
- New Challenges in Pond Aquaculture - Èeské Budìjovice, CZECH REPUBLIC 26 - 28 April 2005
- Minerva Contact Seminar 'ICT and Education' - Coimbra, PORTUGAL 11 - 15 May 2005
- Aquaculture Europe 2005 'Lessons from the Past to Optimise the Future" - Trondheim, NORWAY 5-9 August 2005

3.Collaboration
- Memorandum of Cooperation between the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) - Brussels, BELGIUM 10 February 2005
- EU AQUAREG program awarded funds to AQUAGAIR

4. Other
- European Science Events; "Science and Society beyond FP6" - call for proposals
- Post your Student Placement and MSc/ PhD vacancies on PISCESTTJobs

5. Student Corner 
- The Aquaculture Experience in the UK - Article by Gareth Butterfield, Stirling University, UK

Education

Aquaculture Educational Posters - Series 2005

The first series of the Aquaculture Educational Posters, consisting of nine exciting titles subsumed under the heading title of the "PISCES Series" are now available for free download from the "Resources" section of the AquaTT website (www.aquatt.ie). The first pledges for series two have been received in recent weeks securing the following titles: "Life-cyle of the Mussel", "Life-cyle of the Oyster", "Life-cyle of Cod" and "Depuration Systems". All interested contributors and donors for series two should directly contact the project manager John Coleman of La Tene Maps Ltd at johncoleman@latene.ie.

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AQUALABS Initiative 2005/6 - High Level Training Courses

Aqualabs is an innovative series of state-of-the-art training, theory and networking events for early stage researchers in aquaculture and related sciences planned for 2005/6. The initiative, funded by the Marie Curie action of the 6th Framework Programme of the European Commission is co-ordinated by AquaTT in partnership with University of Kuopio, University of Stirling, Wageningen University, University of Insubria, the Research Institute for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Irrigation Hungary (HAKI) and University College Cork.

Announcements

Annual Irish Shellfish Association Conference - Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, IRELAND 4 March 2005

The Irish Shellfish Association provides a unique opportunity to all industry suppliers to put samples, literature and other material on display at dedicated spaces next to the seminar. Above all it gives you the opportunity to meet new and existing customers face to face. This event is growing in popularity with industry suppliers as it provides a unique opportunity for businesses to meet directly with the Irish shellfish production industry.

Data Source: IFA Aquaculture
For further information visit: http://www.ifa.ie

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Training Course on drafting a successful FP6 proposal - Marseilles, FRANCE 9-10 March 2005 & Brussels, BELGIUM 5-6 April 2005

Interface Europe is organising two training courses entitled 'How to prepare a successful European project and write a competitive proposal. "Secrets and logics of FP6", to take place on 9 and 10 March in Marseilles, France and on 5 and 6 April in Brussels, Belgium. The course will offer participants methodological material and useful guidance on how to write a competitive proposal, and is intended for researchers and any organisation that supports research. The course will be held in French.

Data Source: Cordis
For further information visit: http://www.interfaceurope.net/news.php?p=news&lang=fr

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Contracts and Consortium Agreements Workshop for Framework SIX - Cambridge, UK 11 March 2005

This workshop will provide a detailed analysis of the Commission's new model contract and its implications for consortium agreements. It will draw on the collected experience of using various model agreements in negotiating the first round of FP6 contracts. The Workshop is intended for research, contracts, European office and other staff responsible for dealing with and advising researchers on management and legal aspects of FP6 projects. The workshop will be given in English.

Data Source: Singleimage Limited
For further information visit: www.singleimage.co.uk

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EU-Russia Symposium on S&T Co-operation in Biotechnology - Moscow, RUSSIA 14 - 16 March 2005

The third Moscow international congress on biotechnology will feature an EU-Russia symposium and partnering event on science and technology (S&T) cooperation in biotechnology. The symposium will be an opportunity for European, Russian and newly independent state (NIS) experts active in the field of food biotechnology to identify common topics for future collaboration. The specially organised partnering event will create a meeting point for science, technology and industry participants, encourage their participation in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) , and raise awareness of other funding opportunities within the EU.

Data Source: INTAS
For further information visit: http://www.intas.be/mainfs.htm

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The European University Association (EUA) Convention - Glasgow, Scotland, UK March 31 - 2 April 2005

The European University Association (EUA) is organising a convention on 'an action agenda for the future: strong universities for Europe' to be held in Glasgow, from 31 March to 2 April. EUA's convention in Glasgow will provide a unique forum for Europe's universities, other higher education institutions and partners to discuss, at the halfway point to 2010, the increasingly important role of institutions and students in implementing the Bologna Process reforms and in making the knowledge society a reality for Europe's citizens.

Data Source: Cordis
For further information visit: http://www.eua.be/e/Conventions.jspx

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New Challenges in Pond Aquaculture - Èeské Budìjovice, CZECH REPUBLIC 26 - 28 April 2005

The conference is organised by the University of South Bohemia Èeské Budìjovice - Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology in Vodòany. The official language of the workshop will be English. The workshop programme, running over three days, will consist of plenary and poster sessions on selected topics:

1) Biological Background of Pond Aquaculture
2) Pond Management Strategies
3) Interactions with Protected Plant and Animal Species
4) Multipurpose Pond Usage
5) Pond Aquaculture Economics, Markets and Product Development

For further information and on-line registration visit: http://www.vurh.jcu.cz/pond-aqua

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Minerva Contact Seminar "ICT and Education" - Coimbra, PORTUGAL May 11 - 15, 2005

The Portuguese National Agency is organising a contact seminar co-financed by the European Commission, focusing on 'ICT and Education'. This seminar is going to be held in Coimbra, between the 11th and the 15th of May 2005, within the framwork of the centralised action Minevra. The seminar aims to invite directors, teachers, trainers and other educational staff of Institutions and Organisations working in the field of Education and ICT, from all countries involved in the Socrates Programme, as well as the representatives from all National Agencies to accompany their country's delegations to the seminar.

For further information contact: Sandra Ramalho at: sramalho@socleo.pt

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Aquaculture Europe 2005 "Lessons from the Past to Optimise the Future" - Trondheim, NORWAY 5 - 9 August, 2005

Trondheim, Norway will be the meeting place for Aquaculture Europe 2005 conference. Immediately following the conference, the Aqua Nor trade show, the largest aquaculture trade exhibition of its kind, will open its doors from August 9-12. This event is organised by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) in joint cooperation with The Nor-Fishing Foundation. It furthermore enjoys the moral support of some major Aquaculture Societies in Europe. The preliminary conference programme will address the following key themes:

1. Applying lessons learned from established species
2. The capacity of the environment to support predicted growth
3. The contribution of aquaculture to sustainable fisheries
4. Developments in environmentally friendly systems
5. Ethics: issues and their communication.

Data Source: European Aquaculture Society (EAS)
For further information visit:
http://www.easonline.org/agen/AquaEuro2005/default.asp

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Collaboration

Memorandum of Co-operation between the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) and the World Conservation Society (IUCN) - Brussels, BELGIUM 10 February 2005

Bridging the gap between aquaculture and the environment, this agreement will provide a cooperating framework to identify environmental issues related to the development and management of fish farming in the Mediterranean region as well as promote the best environmental management practices for responsible fish farming within the principles of sustainable development. The two organizations have agreed to develop and reinforce communication partnerships in order to identify relevant areas of synergy. IUCN strategy aims to mobilize the private sector and the environmental community to work together. This initiative will contribute to the protection of biodiversity by encouraging and assisting the private sector in order to help local communities in their efforts to conserve biodiversity and to reap the economic benefits of conservation sustainably.

For further information contact:
François Simard, Marine Programme Coordinator. IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation: E-mail: francois.simard@iucn.org
Courtney Hough, General Secretary, Federation of European Aquaculture Producers: E-mail:
secretariat@feap.info
Lourdes Lázaro, Communication Officer. IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation: E-mail: lourdes.lazaro@iucn.org

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EU AQUAREG Programme awards funding to AQUAGAIR

The EU AQUAREG programme awarded funds to AQUAGAIR which aims to prolong the shelf life of the fresh Galician mussel, so that this product can be exported faster and in optimal conditions. This innovative project will not only boost the development of the mussel-growing sector in Galicia but will also lead Ireland to acquire new technology. AQUAREG is about integration through exchange of knowledge and experience among different European regions.

Data Source: AquaReg
For further information visit: www.aquareg.com

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Other

European Science Events: "Science and Society beyond FP6" - Call for Proposals

The European Commission has published a call for proposals for 'European Science Events; "Science and Society beyond FP6" under its Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The deadline for submitting proposal documents is 24 May 2005. The call addresses three areas:

EU dimension of science weeks 2006
'Best of' science events 2006
'Science and society' beyond FP6

Data Source: Cordis
For further information visit:
http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cfm?CALL_ID=199

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PISCES TT Jobs, an exciting and valuable free online service provided by AquaTT UETP Ltd. to employers and potential employees in aquaculture and related science sectors. Using a secure and innovative site format, employers and job searchers can post job vacancies and CVs, respectively, thus facilitating human resource development in the industry.

Upon registration, companies can post and instantaneously edit job vacancies, including permanent, temporary, MSc/PhD and student placement positions. Companies will only receive CVs of those applicants who are qualified for the position requirements. To ensure privacy and lessen the hassle of unsolicited calls and queries, company/organisation contact details will not be published online.

Prospective employees can use the online registration facility to obtain a username and password, post and edit their employee profile, upload a CV and apply online for positions.

If you are interested in posting a job vacancy or registering for the service, please contact aquatt@aquatt.ie

AquaTT, the European Network for Education and Training, is providing the site as an additional service to compliment their flagship project, PISCES TT, found on the web at www.piscestt.com and host to a comprehensive education database, occupational profiles, virtual tours, a discussion forum, and marine sciences activities for children.

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Student Corner

The Aquaculture Experience in the UK - article by Gareth Butterfield, Stirling University, UK

Coming from a suburban area of County Durham, it may seem somewhat unusual for me to be involved in Aquaculture. I suppose my interest stemmed from (as I imagine is the case for many of you) a love of angling. Brought-up in the North-East, my vocation was viewed as peculiar, especially as my family’s employment history includes greengrocers and television engineers! But at least I had chosen my path, by an age when many youngsters remain undecided. At 13, I had accepted an offer to attend the Barony College and by 16, I’d left home to make a journey that I am still travelling today.

I undertook two basic courses in my first year, a SGA and SVQ in fish farm husbandry. Having no experience, I thought it would be advantageous to start at the very beginning and progress. First year was very enjoyable, I made good friends and attended some fantastic party’s - sober of course! Knowing the second and third year could only get better (as my 18th birthday loomed!) I had the beginning of the HNC/HND, free trips to Greece, Ireland or Norway and access to the student bar to look forward to. Needless to say, I maintained my enthusiasm. The content of the HNC (scientific) and HND (practical) fulfilled my every desire, whilst trips were a nice break from normality, allowing connections to be made and a chance to experience varied practices. Coursework was hard and kept us busy until…hmm…about Thursday! Parties…; birthdays, celebrations, themed nights, (insert: spontaneous idea OR excuse) were arranged in the student bar with free entertainment and cheap booze! Outwith the college such activitie as bowling, nights out and paintballing were organised. Indisputably, Barony hosted the best days of my life; admittedly many remain somewhat a blur… Needless to say, it was a hard place to leave, even for those few months between courses. Parties continued, but were moved to weekends and included new faces.

Summer was a chance to meet new people, gain understanding, and practice what we’d learned in theory. Personally I was gifted with great work experience positions. I spent one summer with Marine Harvest, where I visited 12 sites to assist with challenge tests, feed/stress trials and fish processing research - all in 3months! I witnessed some of the first halibut grown in the UK, was involved in the full lifecycle of salmon and learned manual labouring skills, practical boating handling and technical jobs essential on sites. Other placements on individual farms allowed me to gain fuller knowledge of fish farming. In the beginning, I was, like many others, fairly incompetent and knew little in relative terms. However, over time, trust, credence and dependability were gained - Rewarding! (Even if the wages were not!). In every instance, work was located in beautiful surroundings and friendly communities with excellent hospitality and warmth. Although I enjoyed my time as a labourer, the days of research spurred me to continue studying. I applied to Sparsholt College and was accepted on the BSc, which covers a vast range of course species and fishery management techniques. That year, a study tour to Galicia was organised, where farmed sea bass, sea bream, sole and the first farmed octopus were demonstrated. Certainly worth the trip! Realising my lack of knowledge towards marine organisms prompted my next venture – an MSc in marine science and technology at the North Atlantic Fisheries College, Shetland.

Although a small class, the MSc comprised of Scottish, English, Jamaican, Libyan, Tanzanian and Namibian students, producing a fascinating working environment and range of characters. Although opportunities arose in my training and experiences, Shetland was the big swim! Working alongside specialists, students were gifted opportunities. Some opted to work in the forefront of the Scottish cod industry, others swayed towards laboratory work, whilst I was given the opportunity to collaborate and publish work with a fatty acid specialist from Tasmania. MSc students of NAFC also participated in a very worthwhile conference, organised by AquaTT. International students took part in a 3-day convene to help develop professional and social interactions with like-minded people, as well as important friendships and/or business links worldwide. (Hopefully such conferences will be arranged annually, as it was through AquaTT my decision to pursue a PhD was influenced). Through work endeavoured and contacts I’ve made, staff at the University of Stirling were more than pleased to accommodate me. And again, I am happy to be here, collaborating and rubbing shoulders with some of the best aquaculture geneticists in the world.

I suppose my final thought (and the intention of this article – bet you wish you’d just read this bottom sentence now!) is to justify that if you work hard and prove yourself at each level in education and/or industry, you will be recognised, and if you so wish, reach the destination to which you’ve been travelling… Keep working hard and best wishes for the future. I look forward to writing for you again soon - hopefully next time its published results! All the best, Gareth Butterfield

If you would like to write an article for the student corner please contact Caoimhe at aquatt@aquatt.ie

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About AquaTT

AquaTT through its extensive network has realised that essential information on upcoming changes is not being effectively disseminated to all parties. Thus, AquaTT is producing this free news service "TRAINING NEWS" specifically for the Aquaculture industry. The newsletter is intended to keep you informed of developments in Education & Training and related areas. Support material will be available on the new European Education Forum website www.piscestt.com . All old Training News will be archived on the piscestt site.

The main target audience for this newsletter is teachers, trainers and students in the aquaculture area but will also be of interest to policy makers, companies and associations.

AquaTT welcomes any feedback regarding content, presentation and user-friendliness of the newsletter. Please forward this mail to any colleagues that may be interested. Please submit any relevant information for dissemination in the newsletter.

DISCLAIMER: AquaTT provides this newsletter as a free service to interested parties. Most of the information is provided by AquaTT. Where it is not, the source of the news is provided in the text of the news brief or else AquaTT attributes the news to the coordinating body as the "Data Source Provider". In no way does this newsletter, by promoting events not coordinated by AquaTT, intend to wrongly or inappropriately claim projects, news, etc. as its own nor is it responsible for incorrect information provided from other sources. "Training News" is a promotional tool and forum for both AquaTT and other organisations.

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