Off to the Cook Islands for Matt

On June 17th I take off for 6 weeks of research in the Cook Islands. I will be located on the main island of Rarotonga, conducting research on my thesis entitled "Red-Water Aquaculture of the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas with Red Tilapia Oreochromis ssp."

The aim of this study is to provide insight and recommendations on aspects in the aqua farming project related to biological and microbiological processes. The main focus of the report is to review crucial parameters of culturing Pacific Oysters and Tilapia such as:
· Crop specific considerations
· Stocking densities
· Feed input
· Interactions of microbiological and macrobiological processes
· Water quality
· Nutrient loads
· Monitoring needs
· Safety aspects of seafood production
· Physical design of the aquaculture facility

I will be working with a marine scientist from the States, featured in this magazine artice:
http://www.nzaquaculture.co.nz/AC22.pdf

I will be missing my Lauren...she has plans to focus on her art, and her fitness routine without my interfering!

I will have access to the internet, so I'll try to keep you all posted on my adventures. In the meantime we have added some pics I found online along with some of our recent adventures and lemon tree really bursting in our backyard. enjoy till next time!

CARE PACKAGES!!

a BIG THANK YOU to Theresa and Frank, and Elaine and John for the generous CARE packages we recieved today!

They both were delivered on the same day...felt a lot like Christmas morning! It may sound strange to you reading this, but the little things we used to take for granted (like the items in the packages) sure feel and TASTE nice!

So, THANKS for all the trouble (and postage!) your gifts are truely appreciated!

Check out the pic of your packages below!