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Aquaculture/Fisheries Center - Extension
About Our Extension Programs
Extention Worker     Welcome to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Aquaculture/Fisheries Center Extension web site. Here you will find research-based information and assistance on various aquaculture species and culture systems, farm pond management and aquatic weed control, water gardens, and fish health and water quality services. 

     The Aquaculture/Fisheries Center works in partnership with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service to provide aquaculture and fisheries information, education and services to all Arkansans. With few exceptions, educational materials and services are provided free of charge. 

     Aquaculture/Fisheries faculty with Extension appointments have a wide range of expertise in the various fields of aquaculture and natural fisheries. When needed, they can draw upon other faculty at UAPB as well as the knowledge of hundreds of other scientists across nation and world. Headquartered at Pine Bluff, Extension personnel are also located in Lake Village, Lonoke and Newport. To contact a real person for assistance, click on the “Contacts” tab above. 

     Aquaculture/Fisheries Center personnel conduct a broad range of extension programs. The major program areas and a few of the activities are:
 

1. More Efficient Production & Marketing of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish

Working on Fish Farm
  • Fish health education and services.
  • Water quality analyses.
  • Biosecurity – fish diseases & exotic species.
  • New harvesting technologies – in-pond grader for fingerlings and food fish, new crowder boat. 
  • Assistance to the processing sector on automating weighing of fish samples. 
  • Financial workshops on evaluating farm operations and indicators.
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance training.
  • Documenting the economic impact of the catfish industry in Arkansas.
  • Catfish research verification program (formerly known as yield verification)
  • Stocking strategies for producing larger fish.
  • Demonstrations on copper application in commercial ponds, aerator placement & circulation patterns.
  • Aquaculture producer’s handbook.
     

2. Improving the Efficiency of Baitfish Production

Baitfish Holding Tanks
  • Fish health education and services. Farm-level inspections, APHIS certified laboratory for exports. Personnel include an American Fisheries Society (AFS) certified fish inspector and an AFS certified fish pathologist.
  • Water quality analyses.
  • Biosecurity and HACCP for baitfish
  • Holding shed water quality improvement.
  • Toxicity of pesticides & practical mixtures that are aerially- applied.
  • Aeration & bloom management.
  • Fish transportation
  • Increasing fry survival.
  • Baitfish research verification program: rearing fry to juveniles.


Building a Better Fish (Video)
Our extension specialists are constantly developing ways to improve baitfish production.  Below is a short clip featured in Partners Episode #13 of the CSREES newsroom productions.

Files below are encoded using Windows Media Player.  If you are experiencing problems playing the clip, please update to the latest version of Windows Media Player [here].

The Sun Sets on the Arkansas DeltaBuilding a Better Fish
[Length: 4m 59s]
Downlod High Quality (Windows Media, 12.4mb)
Download Low Quality (Windows Media, 3.21mb)
Download Transcript (Plain Text)

56k Users: This video may take up to 15 minutes to download.  Please be patient while it loads.
 

3. Recreational Fishing in the Delta

  • Farm pond recreational fishing.
  • Aquatic weed control and assorted pond problems.
  • Joint Farm Pond management publications with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and a Sportfish Suppliers Directory. 
  • Community fishing program with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. 
     

4. Beginning & Alternative Aquaculture

Crawfish
  • Getting started in aquaculture. 
  • Alternative species – information on marine shrimp in freshwater, freshwater prawns, crawfish, largemouth bass, hybrid bream, crappie, hybrid striped bass, tilapia, etc.
  • Alternative culture systems.
  • Small scale aquaculture.
  • Water gardening.
     

5. Youth Aquatic Education

  • Partner with the Cooperative Extension Service on 4-H fishing education and agriculture awareness.
  • 4-H baitcasting and sportsfishing O’Rama activities
  • Derbies with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
  • Support for High School Agri-Science programs
     

6. Other

  • If it swims or lives in water, we probably have had a question about it!
 
 
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