by Thomas Derbes II | Aug 25, 2025
The two A states in the South, Alabama and Arkansas, kick off our state aquaculture spotlight portion of our series on Aquaculture in the Southern United States. Alabama and Arkansas together contribute about 9% of all Southern aquaculture, with 102 and 55 farms, respectively. Catfish farming reigns supreme in Alabama, accounting for approximately 50% of all farms in Alabama. Baitfish farming is very popular in Arkansas, and the Arkansas baitfish industry provides over 60% of the baitfish in the United States. Let us take a quick dive into both of these A states!
Alabama Aquaculture
Just like the Song of US States we learned in grade school, we start off our state spotlights with Alabama. Alabama, especially West Alabama, is known for its catfish farms. In 1960, a small channel catfish hatchery opened up in Greensboro, Alabama, and helped jump-start the commercial catfish farming industry.
Environmental and economic factors have favored Alabama’s success, including a warm climate, suitable topography, abundant rain, low energy costs, and proximity to Auburn University’s fisheries expertise. The channel catfish is hardy and adaptable, making it ideal for farming. The STRAL Company, founded by Chester Stephens, Richard True, and Bryant Allen, was pivotal in developing catfish farming. They used methods from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service researchers and opened the first successful hatchery.
Catfish Harvest – Alabama Extension
The industry faced early challenges, including market oversupply, high feed costs, and disease outbreaks. Technological advancements, such as the paddle-wheel aerator and improved feed, helped address these issues. The establishment of the Alabama Fish Farming Center in 1985 provided essential research and support. The industry also formed marketing associations and legislative measures to combat predators and imported competition.
Down on the coastline, oyster farming is the major contributor to marine aquaculture. In Bayou Le Batre, Point Aux Pins started oyster farming in 2009. Recognized as one of the first pioneer oyster farms in Alabama, Steve and Dema Crockett opened their farm to interested oyster farmers (in fact, it was the first oyster farm I visited). The Crockett’s farm and business, eventually joined by the McClure family, were dedicated to producing off-bottom oysters for upscale restaurants and raw bars around the United States. To this day, they are credited with helping grow and spread oyster aquaculture across the Gulf.
Working an Oyster Farm – Chris Verlinde
Auburn University and their extension program has played a vital role in supporting aquaculture development in Alabama. Currently, Auburn has a lab on Dauphin Island dedicated to oyster aquaculture, an inland shrimp farm in Gulf Shores dedicated to shrimp & pompano aquaculture, and the E.W. Shell Fisheries Center, located just north of campus, dedicated to freshwater aquaculture, catfish genetics, and pond management.
Auburn Students Weighing Farm-Raised Catfish – Auburn Fisheries
The Claude Peteet Mariculture Center, located in Gulf Shores, plays a vital role in marine aquaculture research and production. It features a hatchery used to raise species such as red drum, pompano, and flounder, and earthen ponds to grow out red drum and pompano. The center also conducts research on broodstock management.
| Alabama Aquaculture |
| Category |
2017 Farms |
2017 Value* |
2023 Farms |
2023 Value* |
+/- Farms |
+/- Value |
| Catfish |
141 |
$ 115,781 |
89 |
$ 100,571 |
-52 |
-$15,210 |
| Trout |
1 |
(D) |
1 |
(D) |
0 |
(D) |
| Other Food Fish |
14 |
$ 138 |
14 |
$ 116 |
0 |
-$22 |
| Baitfish |
2 |
(D) |
1 |
(D) |
-1 |
(D) |
| Crustaceans |
10 |
$ 1,260 |
3 |
$ 1,623 |
-7 |
$363 |
| Mollusks |
8 |
(D) |
10 |
$ 992 |
2 |
(D) |
| Ornamental Fish |
6 |
$ 5 |
2 |
(D) |
-4 |
(D) |
| Sport/Gamefish |
38 |
$ 3,644 |
40 |
$ 4,776 |
2 |
$1,132 |
| Other Aquaculture |
13 |
(D) |
16 |
$ 1,231 |
3 |
(D) |
| Total |
233 |
$ 120,828 |
176 |
$ 109,309 |
-57 |
-$11,519 |
*x $1,000
Arkansas Aquaculture
Arkansas is the birthplace of warm-water aquaculture in the United States, with the first commercial goldfish farms established in the 1940s. Since then, the industry has expanded to produce more than 20 species of fish and crustaceans, serving food markets, recreational fishing, the aquarium trade, water gardening, and aquatic weed or parasite control.
The state ranks second nationally in aquaculture production and leads the country in baitfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass fry, and Chinese carp. It also ranks third in catfish production. Lonoke and Monroe counties are home to the world’s largest baitfish, goldfish, largemouth bass, and hybrid striped bass farms. By the mid-2000s, Arkansas farms were selling more than six billion baitfish annually, shipped nationwide and internationally.
Golden Shiner Minnows – Jeremy Trimpey
Catfish farming began in the 1950s and remains a cornerstone of the industry, with major economic impact in counties such as Chicot. However, baitfish aquaculture is the biggest industry in Arkansas, producing about 61% of the nation’s cultured baitfish value. Each year, six billion minnows (primarily golden shiners, fathead minnows, and goldfish) are raised on Arkansas farms and shipped nationwide. With an annual farm-gate value of roughly $23 million and a six- to seven-fold economic impact, the industry supports local economies in counties such as Lonoke, Prairie, and Monroe.
Before farming, most baitfish were harvested from the wild, often leading to ecological risks like accidental transfer of invasive species. Farm-raised baitfish, however, provide a renewable, healthy, and consistent supply. Arkansas became the hub of the industry due to favorable soils, climate, water, transportation, and pioneering farmers who developed production methods with support from the Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center. The baitfish industry generates jobs, supports feed mills, supply companies, and live-hauling businesses, and has adopted best management practices to conserve water, ensure biosecurity, and provide sustainable “Quality Bait from the Natural State.”
In addition to large-scale farms, Arkansas has hundreds of thousands of farm ponds managed for livestock water, wildlife, and recreational fishing. Stocking combinations of bass, bluegill, and catfish are common, with populations managed to sustain healthy fisheries.
Aquaculture is especially important in the Arkansas Delta, a region challenged by poverty and unemployment. Fish farms often serve as major local employers and generate demand for supporting businesses such as equipment suppliers, tradespeople, and transport services. Today, aquaculture ranks among Arkansas’s top ten agricultural industries, blending economic significance with ecological and recreational benefits.
UAPB Students With a Fresh Catfish Harvest – UAPB
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is the only university in Arkansas that has an aquaculture program, and is home to the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center of Excellence, a research and extension center that is dedicated to aquaculture research and dissemination of problem-solving information.
| Arkansas Aquaculture |
| Category |
2017 Farms |
2017 Value* |
2023 Farms |
2023 Value* |
+/- Farms |
+/- Value |
| Catfish |
41 |
$ 25,484 |
34 |
$ 30,188 |
-7 |
$ 4,704 |
| Trout |
5 |
$ 2,717 |
5 |
$ 2,965 |
0 |
$ 248 |
| Other Food Fish |
6 |
$ 10 |
1 |
(D) |
-5 |
(D) |
| Baitfish |
47 |
$ 26,530 |
37 |
$ 29,172 |
-10 |
$ 2,642 |
| Crustaceans |
2 |
(D) |
12 |
$ 301 |
10 |
(D) |
| Mollusks |
1 |
(D) |
1 |
(D) |
0 |
(D) |
| Ornamental Fish |
4 |
(D) |
3 |
(D) |
-1 |
(D) |
| Sport/Gamefish |
24 |
$ 15,947 |
27 |
$ 20,177 |
3 |
$ 4,230 |
| Other Aquaculture |
4 |
$ 122 |
7 |
$ 137 |
3 |
$ 15 |
| Total |
134 |
$ 70,810 |
127 |
$ 82,940 |
-7 |
$ 12,130 |
*x $1,000
Up Next – Florida and Georgia!
References
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Arkansas/arv1.pdf
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/Alabama/st01_2_022_022.pdf
https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/catfish-industry/
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/coastal-programs/oysters-in-alabama/
https://alaquaculture.com/state/
https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/baitfish-industry-3641/
https://uapb.edu/academics/safhs/department-of-aquaculture-fisheries/aqfi-center-of-excellence/
https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/plant-industries/regulatory-section/aquaculture/
by Thomas Derbes II | Aug 17, 2025
While aquaculture is gradually gaining traction in the United States, it’s important to note that this approach to farming has a long and established history in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia. Asia accounts for over 90% of global aquaculture production, with China, India, and Indonesia leading the sector. The most commonly cultivated species in Asia include carp, shrimp/prawns, and tilapia.
Koi Farming in Japan – Dexter’s World
In the United States, the Southern* states are at the forefront of aquaculture, contributing over 50% of the nation’s total domestic aquacultured species and generating $850 million in annual sales. From Louisiana’s renowned crawfish industry to the burgeoning oyster industry in the Atlantic and Gulf states, and the established catfish industry in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas, the Southern states produce some of the most well-known aquacultured seafood. Farmed oysters from the South are commonly found in markets from New York to California, and Louisiana’s crawfish industry supplies much of America’s crawfish boils.
Several universities in the region are at the cutting edge of aquaculture research. Institutions like Auburn University, the University of Florida, Florida State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and the University of Georgia are dedicated to developing the best growing techniques and finding solutions to animal health issues. Aquaculture is a rapidly evolving industry, with advancements in husbandry practices and disease resistance occurring daily.
Fresh Farmed Shrimp – Auburn University
In this series, we aim to explore aquaculture in the Southern states comprehensively, breaking down the information by state and, eventually, by species. We hope this series will illuminate the world of aquaculture in America and inspire readers to try some delicious aquacultured seafood.
In Part 2 of our series, we will delve into the aquaculture profiles of Alabama and Arkansas!
* – Southern States for our discussion include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas
| States |
# of Farms |
% South |
% USA |
Sales (x $1,000) |
% South |
% USA |
| Alabama |
102 |
6% |
3% |
131,906 |
14% |
7% |
| Arkansas |
55 |
3% |
2% |
84,172 |
9% |
4% |
| Florida |
488 |
27% |
14% |
165,940 |
17% |
9% |
| Georgia |
22 |
1% |
1% |
0* |
0% |
0% |
| Louisiana |
818 |
45% |
24% |
195,244 |
21% |
10% |
| Mississippi |
129 |
7% |
4% |
276,950 |
29% |
15% |
| North Carolina |
95 |
5% |
3% |
33,225 |
3% |
2% |
| South Carolina |
25 |
1% |
1% |
6,961 |
1% |
0% |
| Tennessee |
21 |
1% |
1% |
3,990 |
0% |
0% |
| Texas |
75 |
4% |
2% |
53,914 |
6% |
3% |
| Total South |
1830 |
|
|
952,302 |
|
|
| Total US |
3453 |
|
|
1,908,022 |
|
|
| The Percentage the South Accounts For in US |
53% |
|
|
50% |
|
|
*withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms
Resources:
2023 Census of Aquaculture
USDA Economic Resource Division: Aquaculture
Marine Aquaculture in NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Region
by Thomas Derbes II | May 12, 2025
As we mentioned in the last article, aquaculture is the practice of cultivating aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants. Aquaculture has deep roots in the United States, evolving from small-scale pond operations into a vital industry supporting food production, conservation, and economic growth.
The history of aquaculture in the U.S. dates back to the 19th century. In 1871, the U.S. Congress established the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries (later part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) to investigate declining fish stocks and promote fish culture as a means of population enhancement. Early efforts focused on freshwater species such as brook trout and Atlantic salmon. Hatcheries were built to breed and release young fish into rivers and lakes, primarily for stock enhancement rather than commercial production.
Catfish Harvest – Alabama Extension
Throughout the early 20th century, aquaculture in the U.S. remained largely limited to public hatcheries. However, interest grew in farming species for food as global demand for seafood rose and wild fish stocks declined. By the 1960s and 1970s, technological advancements and growing scientific understanding helped shift aquaculture toward more commercial operations. Tilapia, catfish, and trout became prominent freshwater species cultivated for food. One of the earliest large-scale successes in U.S. aquaculture was the channel catfish industry in the southern states, particularly Mississippi. With ideal conditions and support from land-grant universities (extension), catfish farming expanded rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming a major contributor to U.S. aquaculture production. Simultaneously, research into saltwater aquaculture gained traction, with species such as oysters, clams, and mussels cultivated along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. aquaculture industry continued to diversify. Marine finfish like striped bass, cobia, and salmon began to be farmed, though marine aquaculture in the U.S. has grown more slowly than in other countries due to regulatory, environmental, and spatial challenges. Despite these hurdles, shellfish aquaculture (especially oysters) has thrived in many coastal states, supported by improved hatchery technology and restoration efforts.
Workers Harvesting Oysters From Farm – Thomas Derbes II
Here in the Florida Panhandle, we have many examples of aquaculture, ranging from baitfish and shrimp to oysters and clams. Oyster farming might be the most recognizable operation, but there are other inland aquaculture operations that often go unnoticed. For example, the Blackwater Hatchery situated in Blackwater State Forest spawns and releases striped bass for stock enhancement purposes, and there is an inland shrimp farm in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where Auburn University performs valuable research on proper shrimp husbandry techniques.
Fresh Farmed Shrimp – Auburn University
Modern U.S. aquaculture continues to evolve with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and resilience. Advances in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), offshore farming, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) aim to reduce environmental impacts while increasing efficiency. The federal government and several states have also launched initiatives to support responsible aquaculture growth to help meet the increasing demand for domestic seafood.
Today, aquaculture in the United States plays a multifaceted role. It contributes to sustainable seafood supply, supports habitat restoration, and even aids in scientific research and education. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. aquaculture production is valued at over $1.5 billion annually, with shellfish accounting for a significant portion of that value.
From its humble origins in fish hatcheries to its current role in food security and environmental stewardship, aquaculture has become an essential part of America’s blue economy. As the industry moves forward, balancing productivity with environmental care remains at the heart of its future.
by Thomas Derbes II | Apr 25, 2025
Aquaculture, the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, has a long and rich history that dates back thousands of years. As global demand for seafood has grown and wild fish stocks have declined, aquaculture has emerged as a crucial solution for sustainable food production. Many might not realize this, but aquaculture is one of the oldest forms of organized food cultivation in human history. This is the first article in a series we are calling Aquaculture 101.
The earliest known records of aquaculture come from ancient China around 4,000 years ago. Carp farming is believed to have begun during the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BCE), where farmers began trapping wild fish in ponds created by diverting water from rivers. Over time, they learned to breed, feed, and manage these fish more effectively. A book titled “The Chinese Fish Culture Classic” was written by Fan Lee, a politician turned fish culturist, around 475 BCE and it provides one of the earliest written manuals on fish farming, specifically detailing carp culture. To this day, aquaculture is very popular in China.
An Excerpt From Fan Li’s “The Chinese Fish Culture Classic” Written in 5th Century China – University of Maryland
In ancient Egypt, there are depictions dating back to 2500 BCE that show fish being held in ponds, possibly for controlled harvesting. The Greeks and Romans also practiced rudimentary aquaculture. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote about oyster farming in the Mediterranean, which became a luxury industry among Roman elites. Oyster farming is still done in the Mediterranean, especially along the French Coast.
Across the world in ancient Hawaii, native peoples developed highly sophisticated aquaculture systems known as loko i‘a, engineered fishponds that used lava rock walls to trap and rear fish like mullet and milkfish. These systems were integrated with natural tidal flows and demonstrated an advanced understanding of ecology. Hawaii is now a leader in aquaculture innovation, especially in the aquarium trade.
Koi Farming in Japan – Dexter’s World
In Japan, fish cultivation began with the farming of koi and other carp species for food and ornamental purposes. By the medieval period, rice-fish farming, a method where fish were raised in flooded rice paddies, became widespread in many Asian countries. This practice not only provided a secondary source of food but also benefited the rice crops by reducing pests and fertilizing the soil. Japan’s Koi aquaculture is very sacred, and their breeding practices are typically protected with some fish going for over $10,000!
The practice spread slowly to Europe during the Middle Ages. Monasteries in central Europe played a key role in developing freshwater aquaculture, particularly with species like trout and carp. Monks often maintained fishponds to supply food during periods of fasting when meat was prohibited.
Oyster Farming in Wales, 1910 – Sutherland Shire Library
Modern aquaculture began taking shape in the 19th and 20th centuries with advances in biology, chemistry, and engineering. The development of artificial fish breeding, water filtration systems, and formulated feeds greatly enhanced productivity. Salmon farming began in Norway and Scotland in the 1960s and rapidly expanded worldwide. Shrimp farming took off in the 1980s, especially in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Today, aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors of food production. It now supplies over 50% of the world’s seafood, including fish like tilapia, catfish, salmon, and shellfish such as oysters and mussels. Innovations such as offshore fish cages, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) continue to drive sustainability and efficiency.
From its humble beginnings in ancient ponds to high-tech operations across the globe, aquaculture has evolved into a cornerstone of global food security. As the world faces challenges like overfishing, climate change, and a growing population, aquaculture will play an increasingly vital role in feeding the planet. As we continue on our series, we will touch base on the different types of aquaculture found throughout the world and highlight some domestic aquaculture businesses.
by Thomas Derbes II | Jan 31, 2025
Snow in Florida? Yeah, it happens. We sometimes get the dusting, we sometimes get the icing, but we never really get the good stuff, the “accumulation.” Well Tuesday, January 21st will go down as the snowiest day in Florida recorded history, and I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to be smack dab in 9 – 10 inches of snow.
“Snowmageddon” 2014 in Pensacola – Thomas Derbes
The week before the snow, I mentioned to fellow co-workers and oyster farmers that “snow is on the way,” and I kind of meant that jokingly. We joked “snow in Florida? That’s why we live here, to avoid that stuff.” Like I mentioned earlier, snow in Florida has happened. In January of 2014, Pensacola experienced a dusting/icing event that shut the town down for a day, and that is fully what I was expecting to happen. Fast-forward to 10:15 am January 21st, 2025. The snow had arrived, but I was still skeptical of the snow. I thought “maybe an inch or two, but there is no way we hit 3 inches.”
Dog’s Love The Snow – Thomas Derbes
By 3:00 pm, my ruler measured 6 inches of the most beautiful, powdery snow I have seen other than Colorado. By 7:30, the snow had calmed and I was able to measure 9 inches in the front yard. The whole neighborhood was blanketed in snow, and the dogs were both confused and excited to enjoy this white, powdery cold stuff. Everyone’s minds were blown, and the area was shut down for a few days to let the snow and eventual ice melt.
9 Inches of Florida Snow – Thomas Derbes
This rare winter storm was caused by a meeting of two systems. A low was forming in the Gulf of Mexico and was pulled up by the very strong Polar Vortex descending from the North. This “perfect storm” dumped record snowfall all along the Gulf Coast, from Texas to Apalachicola. NOAA recently released a beautiful satellite image of the snowfall.
Southern Snow Satellite – NOAA
One of the coolest things about the snow was the “snow glow” that happened Tuesday night. I had never witness this phenomenon before, and it was almost daylight outside. “Snow glow” happens when light reflects off individual ice crystals in freshly fallen snow, creating a bright, sparkling effect. Each crystal acts like a tiny mirror, bouncing light upwards. This phenomenon becomes even more pronounced under sunlight or artificial lights, such as street lamps, making the snow appear to glow.
Backyard Snow and Snow Glow! Photo Taken With No Flash at 9:00 pm – Thomas Derbes
I hope you were able to enjoy a rare Florida snow day! Many people ask “can this happen again?” Even though I am not a meteorologist, it is typically a once-in-a-lifetime event. However, anything is possible!
