Aquaculture Enterprises: Considerations and Strategies

Aquaculture Enterprises:
ATTRA Considerations and Strategies
A Publication of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service • 1-800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org

By Lance Gegner Aquaculture—the cultivation of fish and aquatic animals and plants—is expanding to meet consumer
NCAT Agriculture demand. This publication surveys the important considerations for planning an aquaculture enterprise.
Specialist It will help you identify the production system, species, and marketing strategy most appropriate to your
©NCAT 2006 situation. The wide range of cultured species and production methods makes it impossible to provide
a full discussion of aquaculture in a single document of this kind. Determining the best aquaculture
enterprise for you will require considerable research, beginning with the list of resources and contacts
listed in the Further Resources section and in the four Appendices.

Contents to acquire knowledge, have working capital,
and provide labor and management.
Introduction ..................... 1
Motivation and Goals ... 2 In the article The Small Fish Farmer—Is
Organic Aquaculture .... 2 There a Niche?, James W. Avault, Jr., Loui-
Natural and Personal siana State University Professor Emeritus of
Resources .......................... 3 the Aquaculture Research Station, explains
Regulatory Aspects ....... 4 that farming an aquaculture species has
Species ............................... 4 many similarities to crop farming.
Production Systems ...... 5 Simply put, aquaculture is agriculture.
Marketing .......................... 6
Market-size catfish under harvest.
A simple comparison of steps involved in
Business Planning .......... 7 Photo by Peggy Greb. corn production and channel catf ish
Photo courtesy of USDA/ARS. farming follow:
Summary .......................... 8
Further Resources ......... 8 Corn Production: 1. Secure funds to begin;
References ........................ 9 Introduction 2. Plow ground; 3. Plant seeds; 4. Fertilize

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soil; 5. Control weeds and insects; 6. Con-
Appendices ................... 10 quaculture has received considerable trol parasites and disease; and 7. Harvest,
Appendix I interest because of increased con- process, market.
List of U.S. Regional
Aquaculture Centers ... 10 sumer demand for fish and shellfish, Catfish Farming: 1. Secure funds and per-
Appendix II and a declining fisheries catch. Aquaculture mits to begin if needed; 2. Build ponds and
Sea Grant Programs ... 10 is expanding to exploit the resulting market get a source of water; 3. Stock fingerlings;
Appendix III potential. However, aquaculture producers 4. Fertilize pond water and/or feed fish,
Aquaculture Book and maintain good water quality; 5. Control
Dealers ............................. 14 must compete with wild-harvested products, weeds, wild fish, and pests; 6. Control para-
Appendix IV as well as other farm-raised and imported sites and diseases; and 7. Harvest, process,
Names of Common products, in a very competitive market that market. Once these concepts are under-
Aquaculture Species ... 15
includes other protein sources, such as beef, stood, you must establish goals and prefer-
ably put them in writing….Once you visual-
pork, and chicken. ize short- and long-range goals, a feasibility
ATTRA — National Sustainable study should be conducted. Begin with a
Agriculture Information Service Many of your decisions will depend on what checklist. A partial list might include: which
is managed by the National Cen-
ter for Appropriate Technology
you want to do with your aquaculture enter- species to culture, where to locate, any legal
(NCAT) and is funded under a prise. Will it be a small part of your farm- constraints, marketing potential, profit out-
grant from the United States
ing operation, or are you looking to become look, and other aspects. (Avault, 2002)
Department of Agriculture’s
Rural Business-Cooperative Ser- a full-time aquaculturist? But whether The Aquaculture Site Evaluation Ques-
vice. Visit the NCAT Web site
(www.ncat.org/agri. it is a small or a full-time operation, you tionnaire from West Virginia Univer-
html) for more informa-
tion on our sustainable
will need to treat it as a business to make a sity Extension can be used to help deter-
agriculture projects. �� profit. As in all businesses, you will need mine whether your proposed aquaculture

operation will meet the basic requirements Defining “organic aquaculture” is very much
for both natural and personal resources nec- a work-in-progress and, for many reasons,
an endeavor marked by controversy. Mem-
essary to operate successfully. The question- bers of both the organic and the aquaculture
naire is located at www.wvu.edu/~agexten/ communities disagree on how, or even if,
aquaculture/sitequest.htm. aquatic animal and plant production systems
can qualify as “organic” as the term is com-
monly used. Any potential definition must be
Motivation and Goals a multi-faceted one. “Organic” in the context
To begin, you need to ask yourself why you of food production connotes standards and
want to start an aquaculture enterprise— certification—a verifiable claim for the pro-
duction process and production practices—
what are your goals? The goal of a subsis-
as well as more elusive characteristics such
tence enterprise is to produce the amount as consumer expectation for food quality and
of fish needed by a family at minimum safety and general environmental, social, and
cost; whereas the goal of a commercial economic benefits for farmers and for society.
enterprise is to produce the greatest profit The variety of species produced in aquacul-
tural systems and vast differences in cultural
with the available resources. Farm diver- requirements for finfish, shellfish, mollusks,
sification is a common goal of many aqua- and aquatic plants add to the complexity of
Related ATTRA culturists. Most aquaculture experts advise defining this sector. Some species and some
Publications prospective aquaculturists to set modest production systems may prove quite difficult
initial goals (with lower resource require- to adapt to a traditional “organic” system….
Aquaponics:
Integration of ments) and expand them as they gain Interpreting practices and standards devel-
Hydroponics with experience. This advice can be followed oped for terrestrial species into practices
Aquaculture by starting with a small-scale subsistence and standards relevant to aquatic species,
both animal and plant, remains a major
Agricultural Business enterprise and gradually expanding it into a challenge for organic aquaculture. How can
Planning Templates small commercial operation for farm diver- aquatic operations comply with the require-
and Resources sification. Eventually, if the success of the ments for an organic system plan, for obtain-
aquacultural enterprise warrants, commer- ing acceptable stock, for implementing health
cial aquaculture could become the main care monitoring and management, for main-
taining prescribed “living conditions,” for
farm activity. development and acceptance of allowed and
prohibited substances lists, for organic feed
Organic Aquaculture requirements, for controlled post-harvest
processing, for nutrient management, and for
Consumer concerns over reports of contam- required animal identification and record-
inants in farmed and wild seafood is lead- keeping? (Boehmer et al., 2005)
ing to increased interest in organic fish and
Even if there are no official NOP organic
seafood. However, as of July 2005, there
aquaculture standards, the 2001 National
are no organic aquaculture standards other Organic Standards Board’s (NOSB) Aquatic
than the general USDA National Organic Animal Task Force did make some recom-
Program (NOP) standards for organic live- mendations that are available at www.ams.
stock production. The NOP standards, usda.gov/nosb/AquaticAnimalsTaskForce/
including livestock standards, are available AquaticAnimalsTaskForce.html. However,
at www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards/ it is important to remember that the NOSB
StandardsNoScript.htm. These NOP live- recommendations are not official until
stock standards must be followed for any they have been approved and adopted by
animal or product sold with the USDA the USDA.
organic seal.
In addition, the NOP created the Aquatic
The Alternative Farming Systems Informa- Animals Task Force—Aquaculture Work-
tion Center (AFSIC) at the USDA National ing Group in 2005 to provide recom-
Agriculture Library published the docu- mendations. The list of members on this
ment Organic Aquaculture AFSIC Notes #5 task force is at www.ams.usda.gov/nop/
in January 2005. It states: TaskForces/AquaticAnimals.html.
Page 2 ATTRA Aquaculture Enterprises: Considerations and Strategies

For the interval, until official aquaculture species and production system. Abundant,
standards are approved, the USDA National high-quality water is usually the single most
Organic Program has issued a Guidance crucial resource. Land can be limiting if
Statement (April 13, 2004), Topic Area— the topography is not favorable for the con-
National Organic Program Scope, explain- struction of ponds, or if land is dedicated
ing that the Organic Foods Production Act to other productive uses. Soil properties
(OFPA) does provide coverage for aquatic must be considered in pond construction,
animals. The Guidance Statement says: and soil fertility will influence pond produc-
• Fish and seafood, farm-raised or wild- tivity. Climate does not limit the scale of
caught. Although OFPA provided coverage aquaculture, but it does determine the spe-
for aquatic organic standards, NOP has not cies that can be grown (except in the case
developed any standards for proposal to the of closed-system aquaculture technology
public for comment. described below).
The products listed above may not display
the USDA organic seal and may not imply Production resources—capital, labor,
that they are produced or handled to the and time—inf luence the choice of pro-
USDA NOP standards. Consumers should duction system and species. Generally,

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be aware that the use of labeling terms such the more intensive the production system (i.e., roducer
as “100% organic,” “organic,” or “made with the more fish grown per volume of water),
organic ingredients” on these products may
the more capital, labor, and time required. organiza-
be truthful statements. But these statements tions are
do not imply that the product was produced For example, l ight ly stocked fa rm
in accordance with the USDA NOP standards ponds practically take care of them- valuable sources of
nor that the producer is certified under the selves, while closed systems need almost information about
NOP standards. continuous monitoring. markets and
This means that even if there are no Industry resources—including supplies, ser- marketing.
national standards for organic aquaculture, vices, and markets—are well developed in
organic certifying agencies that have aqua- some parts of the country for certain types
culture standards and are accredited by of aquaculture. For example, in the Missis-
USDA may certify aquaculture products as sippi Delta Region, there are many catfish
organic, but the products are not allowed feed manufacturers and catfish processing
to carry the USDA organic label. So, if you facilities and a strong producer association
are interested in pursuing an organic label, that supports marketing to promote catfish
you will need to find an accredited organic consumption. If aquaculture of certain
certifying agent that has aquaculture stan- species is less well developed in other parts
dards. The list of USDA accredited certi- of the country, the aquaculturists in these
fying agents is listed at www.ams.usda.gov/ areas must be very resourceful. Producer
nop/CertifyingAgents/Accredited.html. organizations are valuable sources of infor-
At this writing (2005), there are only mation about markets and marketing.
t wo cer t i f ied orga n ic aquacu lture In order for an aquaculture enterprise
operations in the United States, both to remain viable and profitable, it must
shrimp farms. OceanBoy in Florida, at be environmentally sound. Environmen-
www.oceanboyfarms.com, and Permian Sea tal issues, such as safety of fish and sea-
in Texas, at www.usmsfp.org/farm-websites/ food; water pollution by excess nutrients;
texas%20news/seafoodwithoutthesea.htm, destruction of coastal habitats; and damage
are both certified by Quality Certification to natural fish stocks by accidental release
Services (QCS). of farmed, exotic, or bio-engineered spe-
cies, are major concerns for many con-
Natural and Personal sumers and need to be addressed by the
Resources aquaculture industry.
Natural resources such as water, land, soil, Technical resources, information, and
and climate strongly influence the choice of expertise are critical to aquaculturists.
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 3

Environmental and disease problems can wetland or coastal zone, and marketing
develop quickly and threaten an entire strategy. Contact your state agencies con-
crop. Quick access to professional diagnos- cerned with environment, natural resources,
tic services such as fish disease labs can and agriculture for more information on the
salvage a threatened batch of fish. Contact requirements in your state and locale. The
your county Extension Service for informa- National Association of State Aquaculture
tion about aquaculture in your area and for Coordinators (NASAC) has their Directory
contact information for the state Aquacul- of State Aquaculture Coordinators listed at
ture Specialist. Other sources of informa- www.marylandseafood.org/aquaculture/
tion are your state’s Sea Grant program, nasac.php. The State Coordinators are
Regional Aquaculture Centers, or other responsible for coordinating aquaculture
federal sources of information (see Further programs at the state and territorial levels.
Resources section for more details) about
the programs and services available in your Your state Extension Aquaculture Special-
state or region. ists or state fisheries department may also
be able to assist you. Remember, pro-
Regulatory Aspects ducers need to KNOW THE LAWS THAT

P
roducers APPLY TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE AQUA-
In the article “Legal Considerations in
need to know CULTURE OPERATION, INCLUDING SPE-
Commercial Aquaculture,” James W. Avault,
the laws that Jr., Louisiana State University Profes- CIES UNDER CONSIDERATION. With-
apply to all aspects sor Emeritus of the Aquaculture Research out proper permits, interstate transport
Station, discusses the history of laws of a threatened or endangered species,
of the aquaculture
governing aquaculture. or a species identified as an invasive
operation, including pest fish or plant, is punishable by fine
species under Historically, wildlife and fisheries have been or imprisonment.
regulated and monitored by the U.S. Fish
consideration. and Wildlife Service at the federal level and Many federal programs work with vari-
by departments of wildlife and fisheries at ous aspects of aquaculture regulations,
the state level. At both levels, laws and regu-
lations have focused on wild populations of assistance, and research. The USDA, the
game and fish. As aquaculture developed in Department of Commerce (DOC), the Food
the United States, many of these laws were at and Drug Administration (FDA), and the
odds with it. The cottage industry of aqua- U.S. Department of Interior Fish and Wild-
culture was put under the jurisdiction of
federal and state agencies that historically
life Service (FWS) all have certain areas of
regulated wild populations. In 1976, for responsibility to the aquaculture industry.
example, the National Aquaculture Act rec- The Alternative Farming Systems Informa-
ognized aquaculture as an emerging indus- tion Center (AFSIC) at the USDA National
try, but the Act placed the jurisdiction jointly Agriculture Library has the Internet links
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the U.S. Department of Commerce. The U.S.
for most of the U.S. Federal Government
Department of Agriculture was designated Agencies dealing with aquaculture listed at
in a supportive role. Eventually, the U.S. www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/afsaqua.htm#Fed.
Department of Agriculture was designated
the lead agency for aquaculture, whereas
at the state level the transition to state Species
agriculture departments has been slower. There are about 60 potential aquaculture
(Avault, 2004) species that can be used for food. (Cline,
Make sure that you get all state and/or fed- 2005) The main species being raised and
eral permits or licenses required for an marketed in the United States are chan-
aquaculture operation in your locale. The nel catfish, trout, salmon, crawfish, tila-
permit type will vary, depending upon the pia, and bait species. Whatever the spe-
species grown, culture techniques, local zon- cies you finally decide on, you need to have
ing ordinances, public or private water use a good knowledge of their biology in order
and discharge regulations, land designated to understand all their environmental

requirements and to determine whether a immature shellfish
problem is developing. are also produced in
hatcheries. Hatch-
Coldwater species such as trout and salmon
ery techniques are
can be successfully farmed wherever water
complicated and have
temperature does not consistently exceed
many special require-
75°F. This usually limits production of
ments; therefore, they
are not recommended
for the beginning
aquaculturist.
Bait production is a
very large component
of the aquaculture
industry in the United
States. Louisiana,
Minnesota, Florida,
and Arkansas are
Rainbow trout fingerlings. all large producers
Photo by Stephen Ausmus.
Photo courtesy of USDA/ARS. of bait and ornamen-
tal species. Minnows,
suckers, goldfish, and
coldwater species to northern states and crawfish are some of
mountainous areas, including the south- the commonly grown
ern Appalachians, Ozark Highlands, Rocky bait animals. Some- Striped bass. Photo by Gerald Ludwig.
Mountains, and Pacific Coast Ranges. times bait species Photo courtesy of USDA/ARS.
Idaho, North Carolina, and California are can be raised along
the top three trout-producing states, and with food species.
Washington and Maine are the largest
producers of salmon. Coldwater species Production Systems
can also be grown anywhere adequate cold
Extensive aquaculture is conducted
groundwater is available. Coolwater spe-
in ponds stocked at a low density that yield
cies such as walleye, perch, sturgeon, and
small crops, but require little manage-
certain shellfish tolerate warmer water than
ment. Intensive aquaculture is practiced in
coldwater species, but their growth is inhib-
artificial systems (ponds, cages, raceways,
ited at the optimal-growth temperatures of
and tanks) stocked at a high density
warmwater species.
that yield large crops, but require a lot
Warmwater species such as channel catfish, of management.
striped bass, paddlefish, and most shell-
Open systems allow water to flow through
fish need warm water over a relatively long
them without reusing the water. Generally,
growing season to be economically practi-
the more intensive an aquaculture system,
cal. Some tropical exotics such as tilapia
the more water must flow through it. In
die at water temperatures below 50° and
open systems, discharged water is lost from
so can only be grown during the warm
the system. Because water, as well as the
months in most of the South or in ther-
cost to pump it, is becoming more of a lim-
mal waters elsewhere. Egg and fingerling
iting factor, technologies that reuse part or
production has emerged as a specialty
all of the water are being developed.
operation in the maturing aquaculture
industry. Hatchery facilities, especially Closed systems recirculate and recondition
in the South, can provide advanced all of the water used, largely freeing aqua-
fingerlings to more northerly producers culturists from water supply constraints.
with marginal growing seasons. Larval and Closed systems have the potential to allow


the production of almost any species any- Crawfish-rice and crawfish-rice-soybean
where, provided the market price can pay rotations are commonly practiced, but
for the capital and energy requirements of other aquaculture-agriculture rotations have
the system. been largely neglected, even though there is
Pond aquaculture is the most commonly much potential for beneficial rotation effects
practiced. Most large-scale aquaculture in such systems. Rotation benefits are
farmers construct levee-type ponds, but similar to those seen in other agricultural
these require large amounts of relatively systems: disease and weed suppression,
level land. Many small-scale and a few reduced fertilizer and chemical inputs,
large-scale aquaculture farms use water- and increased biodiversity (due to the
shed ponds. Your local office of the Natu- mix of aquatic and terrestrial habitats in
ral Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) the landscape).
will provide technical assistance for pond I nte g r a te d , mu lt i ple - u s e s y s tem s
siting and construction. The University of incorporating fish, livestock, fowl, and
Arkansas at Pine Bluff Aquaculture and horticultural production are widely
Fisheries Web site has the publications practiced in some parts of the world, but

M
arketing Recreational Fishing in Small Impound- they have been largely neglected in the
strategy ments: Alternative Management Options and U.S. The beneficial interactions between
Farm Pond Management for Recreational
is one of the different elements of such a system help
Fishing at www.uaex.edu/aqfi/extension/
the most important to reduce purchased inputs. Development
publications/factsheet.
aspects of an aqua- of polyculture in commercia l U.S.
Cage culture, the growing of aquatic ani- aquaculture will require finding appropriate
culture business.
mals in floating or anchored net confine- combinations of marketable species. Many
ments, can be used in farm ponds or other species used in the sophisticated polyculture
existing water bodies that are otherwise systems of Asia (e.g., various carps) are not
unsuitable for aquaculture. Cage culture well accepted as food items here.
is often more compatible with other uses of
the farm pond. Cages can be used to alter- Integrated aquaculture and hydroponics—
nate warmwater and coldwater species in termed aquaponics—is a subject receiving
the same pond. increasing attention in the U.S. Beneficial
interactions between aquacultural and
Tank culture, both open and closed sys-
hydroponics operations reduce some inputs,
tems, can be adapted to a wide range
of species and situations. Tanks made but such technologies are capital intensive.
of steel, fiberglass, or plastic can be dis- See ATTRA’s Aquaponics: Integration of
mantled and reassembled for transport- Hydroponics with Aquaculture for more
ing or relocating. Advantages of tank cul- information on aquaponics.
ture include minimal land requirements,
portability, and ease of expansion. Tanks Marketing
can be located indoors to reduce climate lim- Marketing strategy is one of the most
itations. High equipment cost, especially in important aspects of an aquaculture
closed systems, is the main disadvantage of business. When you choose the species
tank culture. you will be farming, you need to consider
the market price for it. It is important to
Raceways—long, narrow canals with large
identify a reliable market, and even a
flows—are the most widely used production
system for the intensive culture of salmon, backup market, before making capital
trout, and charr. investments in aquaculture. In the Langston
University publication Is Fish Farming for
Rotation systems, alternating aquatic and Me?, the authors state, “The most often
field crops in levee-type ponds, can benefit asked question, ‘are there profits to be
both aquacultural and agronomic crops. made in aquaculture?’ requires a qualified

answer. Yes, aquaculture can be profitable It is much more profitable to determine mar-
IF the fish farmer has the right natural ket demand and plan production accordingly.
Raising a crop of fish first and then looking
resources, good management abilities for places to sell it can result in low or no
and suff icient capital available for profit. To determine possible markets; begin
investment in the enterprise.” (Gebhart with an inventory of your operation. Ask
and Williams, 2000) yourself the following questions:

As David J. Cline, an Extension Aquacul- • What kinds of fish can I produce?
turist at Auburn University, suggests in • How many pounds of fish can I pro-
an article entitled “Marketing Options for duce?
Small Aquaculture Producers,” innovative • Can fish be delivered throughout the
marketing can be the key to financial suc- year, or in annual batches?
cess or failure.
• Can I tailor production schedules to pro-
Most producers would like to sell to one of duce the size of fish required for mar-
two high-volume buyers such as a processing
ket?
plant or distributor. This is a good market-
ing strategy if you are producing large quan- • Can I transport live or processed fish?

I
tities of fish. However, small-scale producers t is much more
• Is fee fishing a possibility?
are not in the same economic level as larger
profitable to
producers are and, therefore, must usually • Is a processing plant located nearby?
sell for a higher price to remain profitable. determine
• Am I willing to process fish? Do I have
Their best option is to establish niche mar- market demand and
kets for their products. the equipment and labor force neces-
sary? plan production
Niche markets have advantages and disad- accordingly.
vantages. The main advantage in niche mar- • Can I produce fingerlings, food-size fish
keting is that producers become wholesalers, or a combination? (Williams, 2000)
and, in some cases, retailers. Consequently, Market price will vary with each marketing
producers have more control over the prices
strategy. Live fish sold directly to the con-
they set for their products, and retain some
portion of the profit, that otherwise would sumer usually bring the highest price, but
have gone to the middlemen. The main dis- this requires much time and interaction with
advantage of niche marketing is that con- the public. Live fish sold to processors usu-
siderable time must be spent analyzing and ally bring the lowest market price, but large
developing these markets. (Cline, 2005) volumes and specific, short harvest times
somewhat offset this price difference. Sell-
A successful niche marketing aquaculture
ing processed fish is a value-added strategy
enterprise will need to exploit markets that
that can increase market options and market
are not in direct competition with large-
price, but it also increases labor and regu-
scale aquaculture. Some of these niche
latory requirements. The Missouri Alterna-
markets include selling fingerlings to other tives Center Web site has pulled together
producers; selling live or processed fish different aquaculture marketing documents
to restaurants, grocers, ethnic markets, or and they are available at http://agebb.mis-
live for pond stocking; fee fishing or pay souri.edu/mac/links. Click on A for Aqua-
lakes for food-size sport fish; bait fish; and culture, marketing listings.
ornamental fish or aquatic plants.
Finding niche markets can be confusing, Business Planning
but careful evaluation and a good under- Business planning is crucial to success
standing of market requirements will help for both new and established enterprises.
producers develop marketing plans that will Going through the planning process
fit their needs. Kenneth Williams, Langs- increases the chances for success and helps
ton University Fisheries Extension Program, avoid costly mistakes. It can be very help-
states in his publication Marketing Fish ful to have your plan evaluated by several
in Oklahoma: people to make sure that you haven’t missed

any vital components or issues. This criti- Summary
cal evaluation will also be helpful when pre- There are many opportunities in the
senting the plan to lenders or other potential dynamic and expanding aquaculture indus-
funders, because many financial institutes try. However, aquaculture has risks simi-
require a formal business plan. A business lar to those of any farming enterprise. The
plan should be a working document that is information provided here highlights many
reviewed and updated at least a couple of important factors to consider before pro-
times a year. ceeding with an aquaculture enterprise.
There is a great deal of information and Should you decide to proceed with an aqua-
assistance available for writing and using cultural enterprise, remember that technical
business plans. Every state has Small Busi- resources, information, and expertise are
ness Development Centers and Cooperative critical to aquaculturists. Potential aqua-
Extension offices that offer such assistance, culturists should get information about the
as do many state economic development specific cultural techniques and fish spe-
agencies. However, many producers would cies they are interested in. They should also
like to have business plan examples and develop contacts with many associations
other information that is specific to aqua- and government agencies (such as fish dis-
culture. The Missouri Alternatives Center ease labs) to get assistance if needed.
Web site has pulled together different aqua-
culture business planning documents and Further Resources
they are available at http://agebb.missouri. Many electronic resources are avail-
edu/mac/links. Click on A for Aquaculture, able to beginning aquaculturists. Excel-
business plan listings. lent starting locations are the Aquaculture
The ATTRA publication Agricultural Network Information Center (AquaNIC)
Business Planning Templates and Resources Home Page at http://aquanic.org and the
Delaware Aquaculture Resource Center’s
does not tell you how to write a business
AquaPrimer: Introduction to Aquaculture at
plan, but it does refer you to sources of
http://darc.cms.udel.edu/AquaPrimer/
business planning informat ion and
Aquaprimerindex.html. Search engines
assistance that are more relevant to the
such as Yahoo can also be used to locate
smaller scale or alternative agricultural/
other lists on the World Wide Web.
aquacultural entrepreneur.
Many federal and state agencies such as the
The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Cooperative Extension Service, Fish and
Agriculture publishes the 280-page Build- Wildlife Service, Department of Agricul-
ing a Sustainable Business—A Guide to ture, and Natural Resources Conservation
Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Service (NRCS) provide technical and diag-
Rural Businesses. This guide will help nostic services, as well as publish informa-
develop a detailed business plan and tion on specific aquaculture topics.
looks at ways to take advantage of new
marketing opportunities. It is available In the 1980s, the USDA established five
on-line at www.misa.umn.edu/publications/ regional Aquaculture Research and Devel-
bizplan.html or can be purchased from: opment Centers. These centers develop
research and Extension education pro-
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable grams and publications in aquaculture hav-
Agriculture ing either regional or national applications.
411 Borlaug Hall These centers work in association with uni-
1991 Upper Buford Circle versities, colleges, state agencies, and pri-
St. Paul, MN 55108 vate industry to address research priorities
800–909–MISA (6472) and technology transfer of new research
misamail@umn.edu findings. For more information about your

Regional Aquaculture Center or its publications, con- people interested in aquaculture, from the expert to the
tact your Regional Center listed in Appendix I. novice. An annual subscription to Aquaculture
Magazine, which includes the Annual Buyers Guide and
The National Sea Grant Program is a partnership
between universities and the National Oceanic and Industry Directory, is $24.00, or just the Annual Buy-
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that started ers Guide and Industry Directory for $22.00. They are
in 1966. Today, the Sea Grant University programs available from:
produce and share research information on problems Aquaculture Magazine
and new uses for the world’s marine, Great Lakes, Subscription Department
and coastal resources. For more information, contact P.O. Box 1409
your state’s Sea Grant Program listed in Appendix II Arden, NC 28704-9817
or visit the National Sea Grant Program Web site at 828–687–0011
www.nsgo.seagrant.org. 828–681-0601 FAX
The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center editor@aquaculture.com
(AFSIC) at the USDA National Agriculture Library www.aquaculturemag.com
(NAL) is another excellent source for aquaculture infor- There are also many state, regional, national, and
mation. The AFSIC serves as a national clearinghouse international professional and/or industry associa-
for aquaculture information and provides materials to a tions that deal with aquaculture development. Many
variety of clientele, including farmers, government agen- of these associations have newsletters and other pub-
cies, industry personnel, and prospective farmers. The
lications available. For information on member-
AFSIC has Internet links for most of the U.S. federal
ship, annual dues, and other services available,
government agencies dealing with aquaculture listed at
contact the associations directly. Many of these asso-
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/afsaqua.htm#Fed. The AFSIC
ciations are listed on the electronic AquaNIC Web site
created the 48-page Organic Aquaculture AFSIC Notes
http://aquanic.org, or in the Aquaculture Magazine
#5 in 2005. The document is available from AFSIC in
print or at their Web site. For more information about Annual Buyer’s Guide.
AFSIC contact:
References
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center Avault, Jr., James W. 2004. Legal considerations
USDA, ARS, National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave., Room 132 in commercial aquaculture. Two-part series.
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351 Aquaculture Magazine. January-February,
301–504–6559 March-April. p. 52-55, 55-58.
301–504–6409 FAX
Avault, Jr., James W. 2002-3. The small ﬁsh
afsic@nal.usda.gov
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic farmer—Is there a niche? Three-part series.
Aquaculture Magazine. September/October,
Reference books and textbooks are useful sources of November/December, January/February.
general and technical information on various aspects of
p. 44-48, 48-50, 56-58.
aquaculture. Many of these are available at public and
university libraries or through inter-library loan. Addi- Boehmer, S., M. Gold, S. Hauser, W. Thomas, and A.
tional sources of books on aquaculture are local book- Young. 2005. Organic Aquaculture AFSIC
stores and aquaculture book suppliers (see list of book Notes #5. USDA, ARS, National Agricultural
dealers in Appendix III).
Library. January. 46 p.
Aquaculture periodicals, journals, newsletters, and www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/afsaqua.htm
magazines are good sources on all aspects of up-to-
date research and recent developments covering various Cline, David. 2005. Marketing options for small
topics in aquaculture. aquaculture producers. Aquaculture Maga-
An excellent magazine is the bi-monthly Aquaculture zine. March/April. p. 24-32.
Magazine, dealing with all aspects of aquaculture. http://www.aces.edu/dept/ﬁsheries/education/ras/
Their Annual Buyers Guide and Industry Directory is an publications/bus_mark/Marketing%20Options%
excellent reference, providing information for all 20for%20Small%20Producers%20ANR-962.pdf

Gebhart, Glen, and Kenneth Williams. 2000. Is 662–686–3320 FAX
Fish Farming for Me? Langston University www.msstate.edu/dept/srac/
Extension. 6 p. Western Regional Aquaculture Center
www.luresext.edu/aquaculture/ School of Fishery & Aquatic Science
is_ fish_ farming_ for_me.htm Box 355020
Williams, Kenneth. 2000. Marketing Fish in Okla- University of Washington
homa. Langston University Extension. 4 p. Seattle, WA 98195-5020
www.luresext.edu/aquaculture/ 206–543–4291
marketing_ fish_in_oklahoma.htm 206–685–4674 FAX
www.fish.washington.edu/wrac
Appendices
Appendix I: List of U.S. Regional Aquaculture Centers Appendix II
Appendix II: List of Sea Grant Programs by State
Appendix III: Aquaculture Book Dealers SEA GRANT PROGRAMS
Appendix IV: Scientific Names of Aquaculture Species (From National Sea Grant Program Web page, July
2005)
Appendix I The National Sea Grant Program is a partnership
between universities and the National Oceanic and
LIST OF U.S. REGIONAL AQUACULTURE Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that started in
CENTERS 1966. Today, the Sea Grant University programs pro-
Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture duce and share research information on problems and
The Oceanic Institute new uses for the world’s marine, Great Lakes, and
41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy. coastal resources.
Waimanalo, HI 96795 Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
808–259-3168 LaDon Swann
808–259-8395 FAX 703 East Beach Drive
www.ctsa.org P.O. Box 7000
North Central Regional Aquaculture Center Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000
Michigan State University 228–818–8843
13 Natural Resources Bldg. 228–818–8841 FAX
East Lansing, MI 48824-1222 swanndl@auburn.edu
517–353-1962 www.masgc.org/
517–353–7181 FAX Alaska Sea Grant
http://www.ncrac.org/ Brian Allee
Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth P.O. Box 755040
Violette Building, Room 201 Fairbanks, AK 99775-5040
285 Old Westport Road 907–474–7949
Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300 907–474–6285 FAX
508–999–8157 allee@sfos.uaf.edu
866–472–6722 (toll-free) www.uaf.edu/seagrant/
508–999–8590 FAX
California Sea Grant
http://www.nrac.umd.edu/
Russell A. Moll
Southern Regional Aquaculture Center UC– San Diego
127 Experiment Station Road 9500 Gilman Drive
P.O. Box 197 La Jolla, CA 92093-0232
Stoneville, MS 38776 858–534–4440
662–686–3285 858–534–2231 FAX

rmoll@ucsd.edu mrawson@uga.cc.uga.edu
www.csgc.ucsd.edu www.marsci.uga.edu/gaseagrant/
University of Southern California Sea Hawaii Sea Grant
Grant Program E. Gordon Grau
Linda E. Duguay University of Hawaii
3616 Trousdale Parkway - AHF 209F 2525 Correa Road, HIG 238
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0373 Honolulu, HI 96822
213–821–1335 808–956–7031
213–740–5936 FAX 808–956–3014 FAX
duguay@usc.edu sg-dir@soest.hawaii.edu
www.usc.edu/org/seagrant/seagrant.html www.soest.hawaii.edu/SEAGRANT/index.php
Connecticut Sea Grant Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Edward C. Monahan William Sullivan
University of Connecticut University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
108 Shennecossett Road
1101 W. Peabody Drive
Groton, CT 06340-6097
350 NSRC, MC-635
860–405–9110
Urbana, IL 61801
806–405–9109 FAX
217–333–6444
edward.monahan@uconn.edu
www.seagrant.uconn.edu/ 217–333–8046 FAX
wcsulliv@uiuc.edu
Delaware Sea Grant www.iisgcp.org/
Nancy Targett
University of Delaware Louisiana Sea Grant
Graduate College of Marine Studies Charles Wilson
11 Robinson Hall Louisiana State University
Newark, DE 19716-3501 239 Sea Grant Building
302–831–2841 Baton Rouge, LA 70803-7507
302–831–4389 FAX 225–578–6710
ntargett@udel.edu 225–578–6331 FAX
www.ocean.udel.edu/seagrant/ cwilson@lsu.edu
www.laseagrant.org/
Florida Sea Grant
James C. Cato Maine Sea Grant
University of Florida Paul Anderson
Building 803 University of Maine
McCarty Drive 5715 Coburn Hall, Room 14
Box 110400 Orono, ME 04469-5715
Gainesville, FL 32611-0400 207–581–1435
352–392–5870 207–581–1426 FAX
352–392–5113 FAX panderson@maine.edu
jcato@mail.ifas.uﬂ.edu www.seagrant.umaine.edu/
www.ﬂseagrant.org
Maryland Sea Grant
Georgia Sea Grant
Jonathan Kramer
Mac V. Rawson
University of Georgia University of Maryland
220 Marine Sciences Building 4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 300
Athens, GA 30602-3636 College Park, MD 20740
706–542–6009 301–403–4220
706–542–3652 FAX 301–403–4255 FAX

kramer@mdsg.umd.edu swanndl@auburn.edu
www.mdsg.umd.edu/ www.masgc.org/
MIT Sea Grant New Hampshire Sea Grant
Chryssostomos Chryssostomidis Jonathan Pennock
Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of New Hampshire
Building E38, Room 330 142 Morse Hall
Kendall Square Durham, NH 03824-3517
292 Main Street
603–862–3517
Cambridge, MA 02139-9910
603–862–0243
617–253–7131
jonathan.pennock@unh.edu
617–258–5730 FAX
chrys@mit.edu www.seagrant.unh.edu/
http://web.mit.edu/seagrant/ New Jersey Sea Grant
WHOI Sea Grant Michael P. Weinstein
Judith E. McDowell New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Building #22
193 Oyster Pond Road, MS #2 Fort Hancock, NJ 07732
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1525 732–872–1300, ext. 21
508–289–2557 732–291–4483 FAX
508–457–2172 FAX mweinstein@njmsc.org
jmcdowell@whoi.edu www.njmsc.org/
www.whoi.edu/seagrant/
New York Sea Grant
Michigan Sea Grant
Jack S. Mattice
Donald Scavia
State University of New York
401 E. Liberty, Suite 330, TCF Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2299 121 Discovery Hall
734–763–1437 Stony Brook, NY 11794-5001
734–647–0768 FAX 631–632–6905
scavia@umich.edu 631–632–6917 FAX
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/ jmattice@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/
Minnesota Sea Grant
Carl Richards North Carolina Sea Grant
University of Minnesota Ronald Hodson
208 Washburn Hall North Carolina State University 100B
2305 E. Fifth Street 1911 Building, Hillsborough Street
Duluth, MN 55812-1445 Campus Box 8605
218–726–8710 Raleigh, NC 27695-8605
218–726–6556 FAX
919–515–2454
crichard@d.umn.edu
919–515–7095 FAX
www.seagrant.umn.edu/
ronald.hodson@ncsu.edu
Mississippi–Alabama Sea Grant Consortium www.ncseagrant.org/
LaDon Swann Ohio Sea Grant
703 East Beach Drive Jeffrey M. Reutter
P.O. Box 7000 Ohio State University
Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000 1314 Kinnear Road, Room 100
228–818–8843 Columbus, OH 43212-1194
228–818–8841 FAX 614–292–8949

614–292–4364 FAX Rick.Devoe@scseagrant.org
reutter.1@osu.edu www.scseagrant.org/
www.sg.ohio-state.edu/
Texas Sea Grant
Oregon Sea Grant Robert R. Stickney
Robert Malouf Texas A & M University
Oregon State University 2700 Earl Rudder Freeway South
322 Kerr Administration Building Suite 1800
Corvallis, OR 97331-2131 College Station, TX 77845
541–737–2714 979–845–3854
541–737–2392 FAX 979–845–7525 FAX
Robert.Malouf@orst.edu stickney@tamu.edu
http://texas-sea-grant.tamu.edu/
http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/
Vermont Lake Champlain Sea Grant
Pennsylvania Sea Grant
Jurij Homziak
Robert W. Light University of Vermont
Penn State Erie 317 Aiken Center
Glenhill Farmhouse Burlington, VT 05405-0088
5091 Station Road 802–656–0682
Erie, PA 16563-0101 802–656–8683 FAX
814–898–6160 jhomziak@zoo.uvm.edu
814–898–6420 FAX www.uvm.edu/~seagrant/
rwl2@psu.edu
www.pserie.psu.edu/seagrant/seagindex.htm Virginia Sea Grant
William L. Rickards
Puerto Rico Sea Grant University of Virginia
Manuel Valdes-Pizzini Madison House
University of Puerto Rico 170 Rugby Road
310 Physics Building P.O. Box 400146
Mayaguez, PR 00681-9011 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4146
787–832–3585 434–924–5965
787–265–2880 FAX 434–982–3694 FAX
ma_valdes@rumac.uprm.edu rickards@virginia.edu
http://seagrant.uprm.edu www.virginia.edu/virginia-sea-grant/

Rhode Island Sea Grant Washington Sea Grant
Barry A. Costa-Pierce Louie S. Echols
University of Washington
University of Rhode Island
Box 355060
Graduate School of Oceanography
3716 Brooklyn Avenue, N.E.
129 Coastal Institute Building
Seattle, WA 98105-6716
Narragansett, RI 02882-1197 206–543–6600
401–874–6800 206–685–0380 FAX
401–789–8340 FAX echols@u.washingon.edu
bcp@gso.uri.edu www.wsg.washington.edu/
http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/
Wisconsin Sea Grant
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium Anders W. Andren
M. Richard DeVoe University of Wisconsin, Madison
287 Meeting Street Goodnight Hall, 2nd ﬂoor
Charleston, SC 29401 1975 Willow Drive
843–727–2078 Madison, WI 53706-1177
843–727–2080 FAX 608–263–0905

608–262–0591 FAX pbrent@cropking.com
awandren@seagrant.wisc.edu www.cropking.com
www.seagrant.wisc.edu/
Florida Aqua Farms
33418 Old Saint Joe Road
Appendix III Dade City, FL 33525
AQUACULTURE BOOK DEALERS 352–567–0226
352–567–3742 FAX
(From Aquaculture Magazine Buyer’s Guide &
Industry Directory 2005) sales@Florida-Aqua-Farms.com
www.Florida-Aqua-Farms.com
Alternative Aquaculture
P.O. Box 109 Miami Aqua-culture, Inc.
4606 SW 74 Avenue
Breinigsville, PA 18031
Miami, FL 33155
610–393–5918
305–262–6605
610–395–8202 FAX
305–262–6701 FAX
altaqua@ptd.net
dan@miami-aquaculture.com
www.altaqua.com
www.miami-aquaculture.com
AquacultureCX
Old World Exotic Fish
13727 SW 152 Street, #299
Box 970583
Miami, FL 33177
Miami, FL 33197
305–972–2960
305–248–6640
305–242–2225 305–245–4228 FAX
ofﬁce@aquaculture.cx www.oldworldexoticﬁsh.com
www.aquaculture.cx
Seacoast Information Services Inc.
Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. 135 Auburn Drive
2395 Apopka Blvd. Charlestown, RI 02813
Apopka, FL 32703 401–364–6960
407–886–3939 401–364–9757 FAX
877–347–4788 (toll-free) info@aquanet.com
407–886–6787 FAX www.aquanet.com
aes@aquaticeco.com
www.aquaticeco.com Shrimp News International
10845 Scripps Ranch Blvd, Suite #4
AVA Publishing Company Inc. San Diego, CA 92131
P.O. Box 84060 858–271–6354
Baton Rouge, LA 70884-4060 858–271–0324 FAX
225–763–9656 bob@shrimpnews.com
225–766–0728 FAX www.shrimpnews.com
AVApub@cox.net
www.AVApub.com
CropKing, Inc.
5050 Greenwich
Seville, OH 44273-9413
330–769–2002
330–769–2616 FAX


Appendix IV

NAMES OF COMMON AQUACULTURE SPECIES
Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name
Abalone Haliotis rufescens Grass shrimp Palaemonetes spp.
American alligator Alligator mississippiensis Killifish Fundulus spp.
American bullfrog Rana catesbeiana Koi Cyprinus carpio
American crocodile Crocodylus acutus Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides
American eel Anguilla rostrata Muskellunge Esox masquinongy
American lobster Homarus americanus Paddlefish Polyodon spathula
American oyster Crassostrea virginica Pearl oyster Pinctada martensii
Artic char Salvelinus alpinus Pike Esox lucius
Atlantic salmon Salmo salar Pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
Bigmouth buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus Pompano Trachinotus carolinus
Black buffalo Ictiobus niger Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus
Black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Bloodworm Glycera dibranchiata Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus
Blue crab Callinectes sapidus Red swamp crawfish Procambarus clarkii
Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Shiner Notropis spp.
Bowfin Amia calva Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu
Brine shrimp Artemia salina Spiny lobster Panulirus argus
Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss
Bull minnow Fundulus grandis Stone roller Campostoma spp.
Carp Cyprinus carpio Striped bass Morone saxatilis
Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus Threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense
Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Tilapia Tilapia mossambica
Chub sucker Erimyzon spp. Top minnow Poecilia spp.
Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch Tubifex worm Tubifex tubifex
Dungeness crab Cancer magister Walleye Stizostedion vitreum
European eel Anguilla anguilla White bass Morone chrysops
European lobster Homarus grammarus White crappie Pomoxis annularis
Flathead minnow Pimephales promelas White river crawfish Procambarus blandingii
Giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii White sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus
Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Yellow perch Perca flavescens
Goldfish Carassius auratus
.


Aquaculture Enterprises: Considerations and
Strategies
By Lance Gegner
NCAT Agriculture Specialist
©NCAT 2006
Paul Driscoll, Editor
Cynthia Arnold, Production
This publication is available on the Web at:
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and
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