North Central Regional Aquaculture Center

Sunfish have been identified as potential aquaculture taxa in the North Central Region (NCR). The North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC) has funded projects to address the research needs of developing sunfish as a viable aquaculture commodity in the NCR. Because the NCRAC Board of Directors (Board) and the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) memberships change over time, the Board directed that white papers be developed on the NCR potential aquaculture species. These white papers are designed to outline the current status of aquaculture technology, the critical factors limiting economical and sustainable commercial production, and the recommendations for research and extension that should be considered in future work plans for each species considered. In addition, the white papers are considered as “living documents” that can be updated based on advancements and new developments within the industry.

This study reports the results of an investigation into the costs of culturing yellow perch for the food fish market in the North Central Region (NCR). Enterprise budgets were developed for both cage and pond production systems at two size levels, 5,000 and 50,000 pounds of production. Because only a handful of established yellow perch aquaculture operations currently exist in the NCR, hypothetical production systems were modeled. Production values used in the budgets (e.g., feed conversion ratio, death loss, stocking rate) were based on the expert opinion of research and extension personnel at various universities in the NCR who are familiar with yellow perch. The production costs developed in this study suggest that larger systems, which can capture economies of size in investment and input costs, are likely to be economically feasible. The breakeven prices (cost per pound) for the larger cage and pond operations were similar and averaged about $2.00 per pound. This price is near the bottom of the range of monthly average wholesale market prices for yellow perch in the round reported by Lake Erie processors.

The hybrid striped bass is a cross between the anadromous striped bass Morone saxatilis and the freshwater white bass M. chrysops. Hybrid striped bass are grown in several states in the North Central Region (NCR), and the group has been designated as high priority by the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC) Industry Advisory Committee (IAC). Each year priority research areas are identified by the NCRAC IAC and presented in consultation with the Technical Committee to the NCRAC Board of Directors. Concern has emanated among the various NCRAC constituencies that work plans could potentially lose focus over time and not always address the most critical factors limiting the economical and sustainable production of important species in the region. After discussions were held among members of various committees and the Board at its June 1999 meeting, it was decided that a white paper should be developed on hybrid striped bass.

Technology has improved production of aquaculture products and reduced unit costs such that reasonably dependable supplies of fish and seafood are available to the markets. This study describes current distribution channels at the wholesale and retail levels for farm-raised and wild-caught species in the North Central Region (NCR), and evaluates both buyer attitudes towards farm-raised products and interest in specific species. Suppliers of fish and seafood products are experiencing a growth in consumer demand. United States per capita consumption of edible fish and seafood increased from 12.8 pounds in 1980 to 15.9 pounds in 1989, and is expected to reach more than 20 pounds per capita by the year 2000 (U.S. Department of Commerce 1990). This is attributed to increased average income, changing consumer demographics, and the present wave of health consciousness (Blaylock et al. 1987). As “Baby Boomers” approach middle age and the number of senior citizens increase, the health benefits derived from eating fish are becoming important issues.

The first topic that must be considered is the name. Crayfish is the term most often used in technical literature and the name used in this document. However, these same animals are also known as crawfish, crawdads, and mudbugs. Rest assured, regardless of the name, they all refer to the same broad category of animals. Specifically, they are freshwater decapod crustaceans, the freshwater equivalent of shrimp and lobsters. In most years, production of crayfish in the United States is the second largest aquacultural industry. This fact surprises most people in the North Central Region (NCR) because the availability of crayfish outside the traditional production area is minimal. Most of the crayfish are produced in the southern United States (Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi) and most of that production is consumed in the same area. Two species comprise the majority of production—the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and the white river crayfish (P. zonangulus). Crayfish culture in those areas is seasonal, available as a fresh product from November through June. Thus, the crayfish aquaculture industry is interesting because of it’s size and the fact that it violates conventional wisdom in several ways.

The U.S. aquaculture industry is an important sector of U.S. agriculture generating over $1.16 billion in 2009 for producers. Yet, anticipated growth in the industry, both in magnitude and in species diversity, continues to fall short of expectations.

Tilapias are grown in many states in the North Central Region (NCR), and the group has been designated as high priority by the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC) Industry Advisory Council (IAC). Tilapias are essentially only grown in indoor water recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) in the region. Each year, priority research areas are identified by the NCRAC IAC and presented in consultation with the Technical Committee to the NCRAC Board of Directors (Board). Concern has emanated among the various NCRAC constituencies that work plans could potentially lose focus over time and not always address the most critical factors limiting the economical and sustainable production of important species in the region. After discussions were held among members of the various committees and the Board at its February 1998 annual meeting, it was decided that a white paper should be developed on tilapias.

One of the barriers to the growth and development of the aquaculture industry in the 12-state North Central region is a lack of comprehensive information on the state laws and regulations that affect the industry. The North Central Regional Aquaculture Center and its advisory committees quickly recognized this problem and made it one of their highest priorities for research. Among the factors that cause the confusion are the many aspects or stages of producing and marketing aquacultural products. The long and complex chain of production, transportation and marketing may include issues such as land use planning and zoning, water pollution and state fisheries regulations, transportation requirements and food quality standards. Many public policies and a wide variety of public agencies are involved in regulating these aspects of aquacultural production and marketing.