AT: A&M AgriLife Webinar – Pond Management Myths

Speaker: Dr. Todd Sink, Aquaculture Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Director, TAMU Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory

This 1.5-hour educational program will unravel common pond myths and mismanagement practices.Often, it is more difficult to “re-educate” pond owners to dispel long-held myths and mismanagement practices than it is to educate a new pond owner with no pre-existing “knowledge.”

For instance:

• Do fish need rooted aquatic vegetation for any reason or is barley straw a cure for many common pond issues?
• Do ponds need to be aerated, should you be practicing catch and release, what is turnover, and what causes it?
• Do you need to stock new fish in your pond every few years?
• Can old drywall be used to clear a pond?
• Are turtles hurting your fish population?
• Is well water good for a pond?
• Is diuron an all-purpose aquatic herbicide?
• Can you use terrestrial herbicides in an aquatic setting?
• Do grass carp control filamentous algae?

These myths and more will be addressed along with the science and reasoning behind the correct management strategies that should be employed when issues are encountered.

There will be a 30-minute Q&A session at the conclusion of the webinar.