The biennial Virginia Aquaculture Conference is hosted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Marine Advisory Program (MAP). The conference provides an opportunity for the aquaculture industry to learn about current and upcoming issues, and explore new developments in aquaculture technology. Attendees network with other growers as well as researchers, agency staff, and aquaculture suppliers.

The conference program features two concurrent sessions—bivalve shellfish and finfish/prawn—to better serve growers in Virginia’s bivalve shellfish, marine and freshwater finfish, and freshwater prawn industries. 

The 2019 Conference featured more than 220 participants from the aquaculture industry, technology groups, academic research, and government agencies. The steering committee is a team of academic, government, and industry partners with representation from VIMS, Shellfish Growers of Virginia, Virginia Aquaculture Association, VA Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia State University and Virginia Tech.)