About ACWA NET

Why an "aquaculture industry online network?
Why does ACWA NET exist?
OK, I've joined ACWA NET. Now what?
Who's behind ACWA NET?
Who's Dan Machin and What is ACWA?
Does ACWA NET take display ads?
Can anyone join ACWA NET?
What are ACWA NET's terms of usage?

Why an "aquaculture industry network?
Communication is a chief source of industry and professional information, but how can you improve and expand that communication? That's where ACWA NET comes in. Real communication comes from an industry-wide focused effort and a grassroots-driven community.

Why does ACWA NET exist?
ACWA NET's purpose is two-fold:

1. To be a free social network for the true believers of aquaculture;
2. To be a high quality educational resource for aquaculture.

OK, I've joined ACWA NET. Now what?
There are several ways to immerse yourself into ACWA NET:
1. Introduce yourself in the ACWA NET Lobby ;
2. Join or start a discussion in the Forum ;
3. Join one or several specialty groups , or form your own group.
4. Invite colleagues and friends to become a ACWA NET member too.
5: Create your own blog and post articles on aquaculture that you know something about.
6: Build your profile on your My Page section.

Who's behind ACWA NET?
ACWA NET is an initiative of the Aquaculture Council of Western Australia (ACWA) and is overseen by its CEO, Dan Machin

Who's Dan Machin and what is ACWA ?
Dan had been working in aquaculture for two decades all over the world in Europe , Ireland , Australia and the Mediterranean. You can find out more about Dan on his page on this site.

ACWA is the State's Peak industry body for the Aquaculture Industry.

Does ACWA NET take display ads?
Yes, we will in the near future. Contact Dan to express interest.

Can Anyone join ACWA NET?
Yes, as long as you have a genuine interest in aquaculture.

What are ACWA NET's terms of usage
Be authentic.Contribute and participate in this community. Share your stories, data and experiences. This is a professional network and activity which in the sole opinion of ACWA is unprofessional or otherwise unacceptable, will not be tolerated. It's also up to the ACWA NET community to maintain the highest levels of trust and authenticity, for one cannot exist without the other. To help ensure that, ACWA NET has established guidelines for all members to abide by. Failure to adhere to the guidelines may cause you to get culled out of ACWA NET.

1. Give and you'll get more back.
ACWA NET is about sharing stories, data and experiences, not blatantly advertising or promoting your company or services. That doesn't mean you can't talk about your company, but it requires balance. If you see ACWA NET as a forum for blatantly selling or promoting your products or services, or those of a client, you'll be directed to ACWA NET's advertising opportunities and any forum or group creation deemed by ACWA NET to be blatant promotion will be removed. Spamming any part of the community with email messages or links blatantly selling or promoting a company, product or brand is cause for membership revocation. And don't forget, this is a social network, any bad behaviour will quickly be noted by the community and reflect poorly on you and your company. Don't risk the shame.

2. Be real.
Just fill out your profile with your real details. We're not asking for your most private information, just enough so that everyone knows who you are as a professional.

3. Obey and Understand the Law.
Spreading lies or slander:  Libelling someone (saying something you know to be untrue and carried out with malicious intent) is a crime just about anywhere in the world, this includes the internet. It will be cause for immediate expulsion from ACWA NET. Libelous statements against ACWA NET members or anyone outside the community may also cause you to get into expensive trouble with lawyers, judges and juries. It's not worth it.

4. Ideas grow in value as they spread.
If you believe in, or advocate a position, the best way to help ensure the adoption of your position is to talk about it. Participate in forum discussions. Join a group. Share the results of a survey. Write a blog post pointing to research, data or a case study. Feel free to lurk, but the real benefit comes from being a contributor.

* Have a question not covered here? Contact Dan .
* Have feedback or a suggestion about ACWA NET's user guidelines? Post a comment in the forum.
* Have a suggestion on how ACWA NET could improve? Post it in the forum.