The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (NADF), in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Extension, has hired three aquaculture extension specialists to help serve Wisconsin fish farmers, county extension agents, and state and tribal fish hatcheries.

"These hires will allow UWSP to better serve communities and businesses throughout Wisconsin who have an interest in aquaculture," said Chris Hartleb, co-director for the NADF and associate professor of fisheries biology at UWSP. "All three will bring additional staffing expertise, and will help the NADF meet growing demands and challenges as the state seeks to expand aquaculture opportunities."

A native of Merrill, Sarah Kaatz earned a biology degree at UWSP in 2001. As an undergraduate she worked with Hartleb and participated in a work study initiative at UWSP, and has been named aquaculture outreach specialist for Central Wisconsin. Her studies at UWSP had an emphasis on water chemistry, aging fish and the study of tilapia. Kaatz then went on to receive her master�s degree in fisheries biology and aquaculture at Iowa State University. Kaatz will focus her duties throughout Central Wisconsin. Part of her responsibilities will be to lead an effort in developing an aquaculture minor at UWSP and help to organize workshops for area fish farmers.

Ron Johnson, a native of Iron River, will oversee NADF efforts for Northern Wisconsin. He will work out of the NADF offices in Bayfield. He will lead regional efforts, coordinating all available resources to augment and expand fish farms. Johnson received his bachelor�s degree in wildlife biology from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Cindy, owned a trout farm in Iron River from 1993 � 2004. Currently, he is the Midwest representative to the National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators.

Jim Held has been in aquaculture research for 17 years. Much of his research has been directed toward developing strains of walleye and yellow perch that are more suitable to aquaculture. A native of Milwaukee, he earned his bachelor�s degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Held now resides in Madison and will oversee Southern Wisconsin�s aquaculture needs.

The facility is a partnership among the UWSP College of Letters and Science, UW-Extension, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and the Red Cliff Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa. The College of Letters and Science brings expertise in fisheries and fish biology, strength in applied research, and a commitment to statewide partnerships and to community economic development. The NADF was begun in 1996 and is now fully constructed and operational. Its mission is to "promote and advance the development of aquaculture in a northern climate."

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