University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Cooperative Extension
|
|
University of Arkansas at Pine BluffCooperative Extension |
|
The Aquaculture/Fisheries Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is recognized as a leader in aquaculture/fisheries teaching, research and extension programs. It is the only comprehensive aquaculture program within the University of Arkansas System to support the state's $167 million aquaculture industry. This industry has an economic impact of over $1.2 billion in the Delta region of Arkansas. Arkansas is the second leading aquaculture producing state in the U.S. Nationally, Arkansas ranks #2 in catfish production, and #1 in baitfish, goldfish, sportfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, and Chinese carp production. UAPB also has a growing natural fisheries component that provides scientific support to the recreational fishing industry that has an economic impact of over $440 million/year in Arkansas. The Center currently has a total of 36 faculty and staff including 14 Ph.D. scientists, 11 M.S., 6 B.S. degree staff and secretarial and maintenance personnel. An important characteristic of the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center is the high degree of integration among the research, extension and academic programs. This unified effort is crucial to the success of the Center in supporting aquaculture producers, natural resources managers, and in producing quality graduates. The Center was recently honored to receive the “1890 System-wide Integration Award” from the Association of Extension Administrators and the Association of Research Directors for integrated project team excellence, at the AEA/ARD Joint Conference, New Orleans, LA, June 19-22, 2005. |
Extension ProgramsAquaculture/Fisheries Center personnel conduct a broad range of extension programs. The major program areas and a few of the activities are: |
More Efficient Production & Marketing of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish
Recreational Fishing in the Delta
|
Beginning & Alternative Aquaculture
|
Improving the Efficiency of Baitfish Production
Youth Aquatic Education
Other
|
Outreach ActivitiesThe Aquaculture/Fisheries Center works in close cooperation and coordination with the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. We provide comprehensive extension programs and services to Arkansas through the county Cooperative Extension Services offices. These include diagnostics services to identify fish diseases and water quality problems and, more importantly, to recommend treatments. We organize educational meetings, farm demonstrations, and field days. Center personnel also publish fact sheets on important issues and respond as quickly as we can to calls for assistance from county agents, fish farmers, farm pond owners, and natural resource managers. The Center also works closely with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and has several joint farm pond management publications. The center conducts catfish and baitfish research verification programs, where research-based production protocols are validated on a commercial scale. These programs have been well received and supported by producers. Verification has been an extremely valuable conduit for information exchange (in both directions) between research and fish farmers. |
Selected ImpactsBiotechnology Applications to Enhance Biosecurity in AquacultureExotic viral diseases of cyprinid fish are a continuing threat to the bait and ornamental fish industries. Objectives of this project are to: 1) develop rapid diagnostic tests for viral diseases; 2) develop screening/inspection programs; and 3) develop and transfer practical biosecurity protocols to fish farmers. Molecular biology techniques (PCR) were used to develop rapid diagnostics procedures for Spring Viremia of Carp, and other important viruses. The UAPB lab was BSL-2 licensed (by APHIS, 2004) and provides diagnostic reference materials to U.S. laboratories, including the APHIS reference laboratory. UAPB conducted the national SVCV surveillance study for APHIS, developed the original shipping facility disinfection plan, and provided leadership for the farm disinfection plan. The 4 UAPB diagnostic laboratories diagnose more than 2300 cases annually. The surveillance, inspection, and education programs have convincingly documented that these dangerous viruses are not present in Arkansas aquaculture, allowing Arkansas farmers continued market access. The following biosecurity extension programs have been developed: 1) HACCP biosecurity on fish farms; 2) Quality Bait program approved by the state legislature; 3) biannual fish health inspections; and 4) on-farm disinfection programs and equipment. If work done by our diagnostic program saves only 10% of the fish in ponds associated with cases submitted to our laboratories (a very conservative estimate), savings to Arkansas farmers would amount to more than $7,000,000/yr. More than $1,000,000 in fish every year are exported to other states and countries based on health inspections available only at UAPB. |
|
Economic Development Through Enhancing Competitiveness of the Catfish IndustryThe U.S. catfish industry has struggled through several years of low prices and severe cash flow problems. The objectives of this project were to: 1) identify the major causes of low prices; 2) identify management/feeding options to improve efficiencies and lower costs; 3) develop spreadsheet tools for improved financial management; and 4) measure the economic impact of catfish in a rural Delta county. Econometric analyses identified economic factors contributing to the low prices. Pond, tank, and aquaria studies identified optimal stocking/feeding strategies for both low and average price cycles. Catfish growth and feed allocation models were developed to facilitate cash flow budget analysis on farms. Training programs transferred new spreadsheet models to farmers. A survey of catfish producers in Chicot County, Arkansas, provided data to develop an IMPLAN-based impact analysis. Imports of basa from Vietnam and the national economy were shown to contribute significantly to low prices. Reducing stocking/feeding rates and strategically feeding those ponds that contribute the most to cash flow generated greater profits than restricting feed across the entire farm. Financial planning methods have been adopted by farmers, improving farm financial management and decision making. The catfish industry in Chicot County generated $384 million in total economic output, 2,665 jobs to the local county economy, and $22 million in tax revenue. This program has enabled catfish farmers to survive the very difficult past years and to continue to contribute to economic development in rural Arkansas. |
|
New Technologies for Aquaculture Farms: Indoor Hatcheries Improve Farm EfficiencyThe vast majority of baitfish farms (93%) are small farming businesses. Given their small size, few universities have focused on this unique segment of aquaculture and many of the technologies used were developed over 50 years ago. Increasing competition from wild-caught bait and from artificial fishing lures has prevented sales growth. Since input prices continue to increase, new technologies were needed to reduce costs to maintain economic viability. The objectives were to: 1) develop technologies to produce baitfish fry indoors; 2) develop recommended stocking rates for hatchery-reared fry; 3) develop performance-enhancing diets for baitfish; and 4) transfer new technologies to stakeholders through innovative extension methodologies. Experiments were developed to: 1) evaluate egg incubation conditions for important baitfish species; 2) compare compounds for de-sticking eggs for incubation; 3) determine optimal stocking rates in ponds; and 4) compare diet ingredients and levels. A baitfish verification program was developed to demonstrate the validity of research-based recommendations on cooperating farms. The new technologies now reliably are used by the industry to produce baitfish fry in less than half the time and in reliable quantities. The technology has spread throughout the industry. Recommended fry stocking rates have been verified on farms through the verification program and increasing numbers of farms are adopting the recommended pond production practices. Improved diets have been developed, particularly for baitfish broodstock that enhance egg quality and production. Overall, this project has helped to maintain the competitiveness and viability of this important, small-scale farming industry. |
|
Grading Catfish for the Processing MarketsTo more successfully compete with imported fish, the US Catfish industry must increase production efficiency and reduce processing costs. Of critical importance is managing production and harvesting systems to provide a steady supply of appropriately-sized fish to processors. Size variation, oversized fish, and undersized fish cause the industry millions of dollars in increased processing costs each year. An in pond fish grader originally developed at UAPB to grade fingerlings (and now widely adopted by the industry) has been scaled up and modified to handle thousands of pounds of large fish at a rate sufficient to meet the demands of harvester and farmers. The grader efficiently grades fish into 3 sizes (adjustably) and produces a product in a narrow size range that maximizes processing efficiency. Successful demonstrations and actual use of the grader in commercial situations has occurred and collaborative work is underway with processors to adopt this new technology. Preliminary estimates by the largest catfish processor in Arkansas are that large tightly graded fish may increase plant output by nearly two-fold. |
|
Distribution of Fish to and Support of Public School Aquaculture Recirculating Teaching SystemsArkansas is the largest producer of baitfish and second largest producer of catfish in the U.S. Aquaculture systems that support these industries are becoming more complex and personnel are needed with appropriate skills. UAPB Extension through the Fish Station provides schools in Arkansas with fish (usually tilapia) for recirculating systems. The fish are delivered in most cases to the school and guidance in the areas of recirculating systems operation, fish physiology and water chemistry is provided. Teachers then have access to UAPB Aquaculture personnel for any system troubleshooting. By providing these services students should become aware of aquaculture and where to further their aquaculture careers. In the year 2000, 2001, and 2003, 16, 15, and 33 Arkansas schools received fish from the Fish Station, respectively. Eight high school teachers requested and received in-service training for in-class recirculating system management in 2003. Two students enrolled in the UAPB-Aquaculture and Fisheries program (2003 Fall Semester) as a result of exposure to in-class high school aquaculture systems. |
|
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff LinksUAPB Aquaculture/Fishery Center of Excellence UAPB Research Verification Program SRAC Research Verification Factsheet
Return to the 1890 Aquaculture Extension Home Page |
For more information, contact:Nathan Stone University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 1200 N. University Drive, Mail Slot 4912
Pine Bluff, AR 71601 Phone: (870) 575-8138 ● Fax: (870) 575-4638 E-mail: nstone@uaex.edu |
|
Other 1890 Aquaculture Extension ProgramsVirginia State University ● Kentucky State University ● Langston University ● Delaware State University ● University of Maryland - Eastern Shore ● North Carolina A&T State University ● Fort Valley State University ● Lincoln University ● West Virginia State University |
| Funds for this website were provided from the Association 1890 Extension Administrators and is being hosted by Delaware State University. Comments, suggestions or problems with the website? Please contact the webmaster. |