Hill Country Aquaculture

The project is to develop more efficient and sustainable aquaculture production systems, and to provide diversification opportunities for eastern Mississippi aquaculturalists. The goal is to ensure that aquaculture industries remain competitive and thus profitable with other domestically produced and imported species through the reduction of production costs. The project is funded through USDA-ARS aquaculture research project in Stoneville MS, under the guidance of Brian Peterson.

It is critical to be proactive in addressing relevant issues concerning catfish production in eastern Mississippi as exist in the western (Delta) region of the state. Soil types, pest species, predation issues, etc., differ greatly from those faced by catfish growers in the Delta. Also, diversification is critical in any industry, and given the economic issues pertaining to the catfish industry, it is imperative that additional opportunities become available to farmers to ensure stable income bases. To this end, evidence exists that great potential exists for cost-effective aquaculture production of freshwater prawns and red swamp crayfish. Furthermore, several baitfish species, which utilize a very different economic market than traditional food-based aquaculture products, provide great potential diversification opportunities. Many of these species can be produced with little alteration of existing facilities and involve a similar 2-phase production strategy to most catfish operations. In addition, the culture of several marine fish species in inland areas has become economically profitable and technologically feasible, spurred on by a huge demand for fish and seafood products in the U.S

In addition to the 8 support positions at the MSU research facility, this program has aided the freshwater prawn industry and has helped establish a new industry in MS and other states. Currently, the prawn industry contributes over $2.6 million, a 570% increase compared to 2001, and has the potential to grow given that the U.S. imports over 800 million lbs of shrimp annually. Research has provided producers with more effective management practices, resulting in increased net returns arising from a larger product combined with a reduction in variable costs. The larger product competes well with exports because the proportion of comparative size shrimp that are imported into the U.S. is less than 10%. Demand for large size cannot be met by imports and a large niche market for this size in the U.S. is poised to become established. As the numbers of commercial enterprises increase, job opportunities also increase.

Find out more information through the dedicated project website.