Research Project: Maximizing Profitability and Fish Health in Catfish Aquaculture

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Project Number: 6066-10600-002-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated

Start Date: Mar 3, 2025
End Date: Mar 2, 2030

Objective:
Objective 1. Optimize fingerling and food fish productivity to maximize economic returns. Objective 2. Optimize catfish diets for efficient growth and economic returns. Subjective 2.1. Evaluate alternative protein ingredients for channel and hybrid catfish. Sub-objective 2.2. Evaluate the supplementation of soy lecithin to catfish fingerling diets. Sub-objective 2.3. Evaluating feed additives on production and health. Objective 3: Identify and characterize existing and emerging Flavobacterium, Edwardsiella, Aeromonas spp. and other pathogens from catfish aquaculture. Sub-objective 3.1. Diagnostics and pathology support identifying priority fish health issues. Sub-objective 3.2. Development of molecular diagnostic tests to speciate and identify strain variation of parasitic and bacterial pathogens. Sub-objective 3.3. Characterization of yellow-pigmented bacteria. Sub-objective 3.4. Epidemiology of myxozoan dynamics in hybrid and channel catfish production ponds. Objective 4: Develop and optimize vaccines, vaccine delivery strategies and other approaches for managing catfish health. Sub-objective 4.1.1 Develop a bivalent vaccine to protect catfish against Edwardsiella spp. Infections. Sub-objective 4.1.2 Assessing the need for revaccinating fish during the second year of production following winter warehousing of stocker catfish. Sub-objective 4.1.3. Efficacy of vaccination at temperatures below the threshold permissive for E. ictaluri infection. Subobjective 4.2. Control of Parasitic Infections in commercially raised catfish. Subobjective 4.2.1 Using copper sulfate to control snails serving as disease vectors of trematode infections. Subobjective 4.2.2 Evaluating snail baits to control snail disease vectors. Subobjective 4.2.3. Develop Experimental Baits with Activity against Snails. Sub-objective. 4.3 Assessment of anti-parasitic agents to break the H. ictaluri life cycle.

Approach:
The catfish industry is the largest sector of United States aquaculture with economic contributions of over $2.0 billion annually. The industry is particularly prominent in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas, which collectively contribute to 96% of the nation's catfish production. Mississippi alone accounts for over half of the total production area and volume. Despite its historical success, the domestic catfish aquaculture sector has faced considerable challenges, including a notable threefold reduction in acreage over the past two decades. This downturn is attributed to several factors, including increased losses due to disease, rising production costs, and competition from more affordable imports, which often originate from regions with substandard regulatory oversight. Feed expenses, which comprise over 50% of total production costs, have escalated, underscoring the urgent need for identifying alternative feed ingredients and implementing cost-effective formulations to sustain profitability. Although the shift towards intensive production systems and the introduction of hybrid catfish varieties have resulted in a threefold increase in yield, profitability remains a concern for producers. The intensification associated with hybrid catfish farming has led to the emergence of diseases previously rare in channel catfish, thereby diminishing yields and economic returns despite initial gains in survival and growth. To address these challenges, research efforts are crucial to developing lower-cost diets using alternative feed ingredients and establishing functional feeds using feed additives to enhance digestibility and fish health. Additionally, there is a need for research aimed at devising profitable management strategies for hybrid and channel catfish, encompassing production methods and disease management approaches to mitigate the economic impact of infectious diseases. The proposed research is crucial for ensuring the continued viability of the catfish aquaculture industry in the United States, amid persistent challenges and evolving market conditions. It aims to foster the development of a sustainable and wholesome seafood supply, underpinning the sector's future success and resilience.