Project Number: 6402-31630-001-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jan 05, 2006
End Date: May 31, 2010

Objective:
1)Develop feeds and feeding practices for optimal nutrition, increased production, and improved water quality of pond-raised catfish. 2)Increase the reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of catfish fry production through the use of new and improved technologies. 3)Apply engineering approaches to design new or modified live aquatic animal harvesting equipment. 4)Increase the reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of catfish production through development of improved aeration technologies and strategies to enhance catfish production in commercial ponds.

Approach:
Catfish aquaculture has generally been a profitable and rapidly expanding industry in the southeastern United States. However, yield has not increased in recent years and profits have decreased. We will address these problems through a multidisciplinary, problem-solving approach focused on improving the efficiency of catfish production. The project will address production inefficiencies on two levels. Two objectives focus on improving traditional cultural practices. Application of research results in Objective 1will reduce dependence on fish meal as a feedstuff, lower feed costs, and improve nutrient retention by fish. Objective 2 addresses inefficiencies in the fingerling production phase, and results will assure an inexpensive and dependable supply of seedstock for catfish farmers. The other two objectives of this project address inefficiencies associated with traditional pond management technologies. Objective 3 focuses on overcoming inefficiencies in fish-harvesting equipment, which will reduce time and labor required for seining and increase production efficiency by reducing annual carry-over of slow-growing large fish. Objective 4 proposes to alter pond design and management practices to overcome production limitations related to the finite loading capacity of traditional ponds. The development of novel pond production methodologies will enhance overall production efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and reduce water use. The overall benefits of this project will be the development of techniques to enhance economic performance, improve global competitiveness, and allow domestic aquaculture to reduce dependence on imports to meet the U.S. demand for seafood.