This article concludes our Southern aquaculture state profile series by highlighting two very different, but equally instructive, states: Tennessee & Texas. While Texas represents one of the most diverse and economically powerful aquaculture sectors in the region, Tennessee illustrates both the constraints and the unrealized potential of smaller, freshwater-focused industries. Together, these state profiles help underscore the breadth of aquaculture systems operating across the South and the importance of tailoring research, extension, and policy support to local conditions.
Tennessee
Compared to Texas, Tennessee’s aquaculture industry is smaller in scale and less visible in statewide agricultural statistics. Aquaculture operations in Tennessee are relatively limited in number and are primarily focused on freshwater species. While detailed aquaculture-specific tables are not prominently featured in recent Census of Agriculture publications for the state, national data and extension assessments consistently place Tennessee among the lower-producing aquaculture states.
Most Tennessee aquaculture operations are small-scale and centered on species such as channel catfish and trout. Some producers have explored alternative species, including tilapia, freshwater prawns, and ornamental fish, but these remain niche endeavors. Historically, aquaculture has not ranked among Tennessee’s top agricultural commodities by value, resulting in lower levels of investment and industry organization compared to larger aquaculture states.
Trout farms are a very popular destination for visitors in the Tennessee Mountains. Trout farms offer visitors a chance to catch their own meal, and usually have a restaurant (or grill) nearby to cook your catch. The term “shooting fish in a barrel” does apply here, and it is typically a very family-friendly adventure!
Bucksnort Trout Ranch – https://www.bucksnorttrout.com/
Despite these limitations, aquaculture has long been identified by extension professionals as a sector with growth potential, particularly if production scale, producer coordination, and marketing strategies improve.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) serves as the primary statewide research and extension system. Through UT Extension, producers can access research-based agricultural education, though aquaculture-specific programming varies by region and local demand. UT AgResearch supports a broad range of agricultural sciences, with aquaculture-related efforts often embedded within fisheries, water resources, or natural resources research rather than housed in a dedicated aquaculture center.
The University of Tennessee Aquatic and Fish Collections (UTEIC), including the Etnier Ichthyological Collection at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, represents a significant scientific resource. While primarily focused on fish biodiversity, systematics, and ecology, this work contributes valuable baseline knowledge that supports fisheries management and any future aquaculture development within the state.
| Tennessee Aquaculture | ||||||
| Category | 2017 Farms | 2017 Value* | 2023 Farms | 2023 Value* | +/- Farms | +/- Value |
| Catfish | 26 | $111 | 20 | (D) | -6 | – |
| Trout | 11 | $2,588 | 12 | $2,134 | 1 | -$454 |
| Other Food Fish | 6 | (D) | 17 | $250 | 11 | – |
| Baitfish | 11 | $311 | 7 | $400 | -4 | $89 |
| Crustaceans | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| Mollusks | 0 | $0 | 1 | (D) | 1 | – |
| Ornamental Fish | 9 | (D) | 6 | (D) | -3 | – |
| Sport/Gamefish | 13 | $2,327 | 14 | $2,877 | 1 | $550 |
| Other Aquaculture | 3 | (D) | 0 | $0 | -3 | – |
| Total | 79 | $5,337 | 77 | $5,661 | -2 | $324 |
Texas
Aquaculture in Texas is a diverse and steadily expanding segment of the state’s agricultural economy. Production spans freshwater, brackish, and marine systems, supporting a wide range of species and markets. While the most recent USDA Census of Aquaculture suggested a decline in reported farm numbers and sales, on-the-ground perspectives from Texas aquaculture specialists tell a different story. According to industry experts, including Dr. Todd Sink with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the number of active producers has increased, with commercial activity growing, particularly in niche and emerging markets.
Texas is home to an estimated 130–135 aquaculture producers operating across roughly 6,200 acres statewide. Annual farm-gate sales are estimated to exceed $120 million, placing Texas among the more economically significant aquaculture states in the southern United States.
One of Texas’s defining characteristics is its remarkable species diversity. In addition to traditional production of channel catfish, producers raise baitfish, ornamental fish, tilapia, shrimp, crawfish, and a variety of marine finfish. Texas is a national leader in the production of red drum and hybrid striped bass, two high-value food fish species that together contribute approximately $20 million annually to the state’s aquaculture economy.
Crawfish Traps in Flooded Texas Rice Field- Louisiana State University AgCenter
A particularly notable development has been the rapid emergence of oyster mariculture. Legalized in 2019, oyster farming along the Texas Gulf Coast has expanded quickly, with more than 20 new operations established in just a few years. Demand for hatchery-produced oyster seed remains strong, signaling continued growth potential. Industry organizations such as the Texas Aquaculture Association play a key role in supporting producers through collaboration, education, and advocacy across this diverse sector.
Palacios, Texas Oyster Farm – Harte Research Institute
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Research provides statewide aquaculture programming, including producer education, diagnostics, and technical assistance. Research efforts span finfish nutrition, hatchery production, pond management, water quality, and system design, with an emphasis on sustainability and diversification. Extension specialists work directly with producers to help develop resilient production models that can adapt to changing markets and environmental conditions.
Marine-focused research is led by the Texas A&M AgriLife Center at Corpus Christi and the associated Center for Marine Aquaculture (CMAQ). These programs emphasize shellfish and marine finfish production, selective breeding, and genomic improvement to enhance growth, disease resistance, and overall performance. CMAQ also plays a critical role in workforce development, commercialization support, and technology transfer, helping bridge the gap between research and industry adoption.
Texas Sea Grant further supports industry growth through its Oyster Mariculture Program, which provides technical assistance for new and expanding oyster farms. This includes guidance on permitting, farm design, husbandry practices, and regulatory navigation along the Gulf Coast.
| Texas Aquaculture | ||||||
| Category | 2017 Farms | 2017 Value* | 2023 Farms | 2023 Value* | +/- Farms | +/- Value |
| Catfish | 116 | $18,969 | 62 | $24,177 | -54 | $5,208 |
| Trout | 5 | (D) | 4 | $427 | -1 | – |
| Other Food Fish | 45 | $23,482 | 38 | $21,704 | -7 | -$1,778 |
| Baitfish | 11 | $276 | 23 | $1,037 | 12 | $761 |
| Crustaceans | 20 | $7,932 | 33 | $9,581 | 13 | $1,649 |
| Mollusks | 0 | $0 | 4 | (D) | 4 | – |
| Ornamental Fish | 25 | $1,398 | 12 | $1,247 | -13 | -$151 |
| Sport/Gamefish | 55 | $15,770 | 51 | $11,632 | -4 | -$4,138 |
| Other Aquaculture | 23 | $1,029 | 25 | $2,524 | 2 | $1,495 |
| Total | 300 | $68,856 | 252 | $72,329 | -48 | $3,473 |
In the Final Part, we will do a quick recap and compare Southern Aquaculture to the Rest of the USA!
References
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Texas/txv1.pdf
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Tennessee/tnv1.pdf
- Aquaculture in the Southern United States: Part 6 – Tennessee and Texas - February 13, 2026
- Bring Some Wild Game To Your Holiday Dinner - December 15, 2025
- Aquaculture in the Southern United States: Part 5 – North and South Carolina - December 8, 2025