Project Number: 6402-31000-009-02
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 30, 2010
End Date: Mar 31, 2015

Objective:
To investigate and solve problems pertaining to aquaculture operations in the Mississippi hill area, including issues related to: water quality, production efficiency, and operational procedures (i.e., improving growth and reducing stress and disease). Further, to provide species diversification options for greater long-term economic stability.

Approach:
The project will be designed to resolve issues of importance to the Eastern Mississippi aquaculture industry in the areas of water quality, production efficiency, environmental and disease-related stress and reproduction by conducting experiments in the laboratory and in research ponds at the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center (NWAC) Eastern Research Unit, on commercial farms, and in collaboration with the NWAC Delta Research Unit in Stoneville, Mississippi. Because aquaculture ponds in Eastern Mississippi rely primarily on surface water and are deeper than conventional pond-designs used in the Mississippi Delta, an understanding of the unique water quality influences to this region are important. Further, improvement of aquaculture practices based on an understanding of operational and environmental stressors will be developed. Research on catfish reproduction and the use of hybrid catfish (female channel catfish x male blue catfish) will be conducted to reduce loss of fish during the grow-out process, and research on the culture of alternative species will be conducted to improve market stability.