Lewis Boykin was appointed extension affiliate of fish well being for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries. He might be headquartered on the college’s Fish Health and Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Lonoke.

In this place, Boykin will present laboratory and discipline companies to fish producers and help in resolving points associated to fish well being and illness diagnostics, aquatic vegetation and water high quality. Part of his job might be conducting website visits and collaborating in group outreach actions.

“Mr. Boykin plans to develop new programs utilizing the aquaculture ponds at UAPB’s Lonoke farm and provide empirically-based recommendations for Arkansas fish producers,” stated Grace Ramena, affiliate professor and director of fish well being and diagnostics at UAPB. “He has extensive fish production experience and sees the Lonoke ponds as an excellent opportunity to implement innovative ideas and techniques to help fish producers.”

Boykin will help Ramena in her lab’s ongoing analysis initiatives and disseminate info to the general public to advance the aquaculture trade. During the group outreach actions he develops, he’ll share greatest practices and new strategies with aquaculture professionals and hobbyists. He believes this may assist recruit future professionals to the aquaculture trade.

“I plan to actively engage with stakeholders in fish health and disease diagnostics and through other services we provide that will positively impact the industry,” Boykin stated. “I’ve met with many stakeholders throughout my career and have always appreciated the wealth of information that is shared amongst individuals with vested interests.”

Prior to becoming a member of UAPB, Boykin served as a hatchery supervisor with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service’s Harry Ok. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center. In that place, he supported Arkansas’ industrial fish producers to create a extra environment friendly methodology of elevating striped and hybrid striped/white bass.

“We are very fortunate to have Mr. Boykin join our program,” Ramena stated. “His experience and expertise stem from his time as a fellow fish producer and district extension agent with the state of Georgia. He served as the area manager at the McDuffie Hatchery and Public Fishing Area for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for over six years.”

At the Georgia website, Boykin managed a 580-acre multi-use facility that included a warm-water fish hatchery, a public fishing space with seven lakes designated for angler entry and an environmental training middle that served surrounding counties with extension and academic outreach packages. He additionally served as a fisheries technician, working with different companies all through the state to help in fisheries administration efforts.

Earlier in his profession, Boykin labored as a laboratory supervisor for the Department of Biological Sciences at Augusta University in Augusta, Ga.

“The most enjoyable part of my career is assisting fish producers and their operations, hearing their concerns and resolving the issues,” he stated. “I look forward to having an immediate impact on sustaining the Arkansas aquaculture industry through the services we provide at the UAPB Fish Health and Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.”

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Will Hehemann is with the UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences.