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.
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
Lionfish slayers, divers, fisherfolks, and ocean lovers joined for an exhilarating 2025 lionfish tournament and awareness festival last weekend at Harborwalk in Destin, Florida.
The Emerald Coast Open is the largest lionfish tournament in the world. Lionfish are venomous marine fishes native to the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, or the Indo-Pacific region. Lionfish found along the southeastern United States coast, including the Emerald Coast of Florida, are not native. Lionfish are considered invasive species in the southeastern United States. With few natural predators and an ability to outcompete native species, lionfish can cause damaging impacts to native fishes, crustaceans, and the oceanic ecosystem overall.
The Emerald Coast Open and numerous partners, including Florida Sea Grant, support the lionfish tournament as an effort to reduce the number of lionfish along the Emerald Coast while educating and having fun. Amazing Emerald Coast volunteers (there were 35 this year) processed the lionfish—counting, weighing, and measuring. The lionfish are sold to buyers like restaurant owners who make delicious lionfish dishes, additionally spreading education about lionfish and lionfish as a yummy food source.
This year was a HUGE success! There were 7,180 lionfish brough in by 143 participants during the pre-tournament and an additional 13,322 lionfish during the main tournament. This means there was a total of 20,502 lionfish were removed from our local waters during the 2025 Emerald Coast Open!
Emerald Coast Open award categories included: most lionfish, biggest lionfish, smallest lionfish, guess the lionfish contest total, and restaurant week. Winners received $65,000 in cash prizes along with participant raffle for amazing prizes worth over $60,000. Winners for each category are listed here and on the Emerald Coast Open’s website and Facebook page.
\
Most Lionfish
1st– DWM1- 2038 lionfish
2nd– Reef Madness- 1256 lionfish
3rd – Shark Quest- 1034 lionfish
4th – Sea Meat- 1029 lionfish
5th – Rubber Duck- 965 lionfish
6th – Covered in Blood- 909 lionfish
7th – In the Clouds- 817 lionfish
8th– DWM Spinal Tap- 695 lionfish
9th– Zookeeper Slayers- 477 lionfish
10th-Black Flag- 457 lionfish
Largest Lionfish
1st– In the Clouds- 17.2 inches
2nd– All Riled Up- 17.1 inches
3rd – Off the Deep End- 16.9 inches
4th – Pilot Plunder and Pillage- 16.7 inches
5th – Fin Reapers- 16.6 inches
6th – Hookshott- 16.5 inches
7th – Down N Out- 16.4 inches
8th– Opted Out- 16.3 inches
9th– Tie- Covered in Blood- 16.2 inches
10th-Tie- Rum Fish- 16.2 inches
Smallest Lionfish
1st– Looking Back- 2.87 inches
2nd– Todd’s Team- 3.11 inches
3rd – Tie- In the Clouds- 3.14 inches
4th – Tie- Blue Bucket- 3.14 inches
5th – All Riled Up- 3.38 inches
6th – DWM1- 3.54 inches
7th – Smokediver- 3.62 inches
8th– Shark Quest- 3.66 inches
9th– Tie- Zookeeper Slayers- 3.74 inches
10th-Tie- Off the Deep End- 3.74 inches
Guess Lionfish Total
Carole Donaldson- Guessed 13,300, which was 22 less than the actual 13,322 total
As spring approaches, I’ve been receiving more calls from local pond owners looking for advice on preparing their farm ponds for the season. Managing a pond in the Florida Panhandle can be tricky—especially when dealing with spring-fed ponds. While these ponds are often beautifully clear, their constant water turnover makes management a challenge.
If you’re wondering how to get your pond ready for spring, here are some key considerations and resources to help guide you.
Start with a Water Quality Test
The first step in assessing your pond’s health is testing the water. I always recommend that pond owners bring a pint-sized water sample in a clean jar to their local Extension Office for analysis. Keep in mind that not all offices offer this service, and public testing options are limited. However, private labs and DIY testing kits are available—though they can be costly.
The most important parameters to check are pH, alkalinity, and hardness: pH should ideally range between 6 and 9 for a healthy fish population. Local ponds often hover around 6.5, making them slightly acidic.
Alkalinity and hardness measure the water’s ability to neutralize acids and buffer against sudden pH changes. For optimal pond health, alkalinity should be at least 20 mg/L, but many local ponds fall below this level.
Improving Pond Water Quality
If your pond’s water quality is less than ideal, there are two common ways to improve it: liming and fertilization.
Applying Agricultural Lime: Properly adding agricultural lime can raise alkalinity and stabilize pH levels. However, in high-flow ponds, lime tends to wash away quickly, making this method ineffective for ponds with constant discharge.
Fertilizing to Boost Productivity: Fertilization increases phytoplankton growth, which supports the pond’s entire food web, benefiting juvenile fish and invertebrates. Unfortunately, like lime, fertilizer is quickly washed out of high-flow ponds, making it ineffective in these cases.
Making the Best of Your Pond
If your pond has a continuous discharge due to spring flow, the best approach may be to embrace its natural clarity, even if it doesn’t support a thriving fish population. However, if your pond retains water without frequent outflow, you may be able to enhance its productivity with the right amendments.
For personalized guidance, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office. You can also start by reviewing this helpful fact sheet: Managing Florida Ponds for Fishing. By understanding your pond’s unique characteristics, you can make informed decisions to keep it healthy and enjoyable throughout the season.
The University of Florida/IFAS Extension & Florida Sea Grant faculty are reintroducing their acclaimed “Panhandle Outdoors LIVE!” series on St. Joseph Bay. This ecosystem is home to some of the richest concentrations of flora and fauna on the Northern Gulf Coast. This area supports an amazing diversity of fish, aquatic invertebrates, turtles and other species of the marsh and pine flatwoods. Come learn about the important roles of ecosystem!
Registration fee is $40. You must pre-register to attend.
Pompano?! More like Pompa-YES! Growing up in the Panhandle of Florida, I was exposed to many great fishing seasons and opportunities, from the Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) run in the spring to the “Bull” Red Drum (Sciaenops occelatus) run of the fall, but my absolute favorite season was the Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) run on the beaches. While I enjoyed being on the boat scouring the beaches with a small bucktail jig, casting at sliver flashes in the cuts of the sandbar, I had my most memorable trips on the beach with a few rods, sand spikes, and a “flea rake.” There were no bad days on the beach (as they say, it’s better than a day in the office), and when you happen upon a honey hole, it makes for an incredible day with very little effort and usually an incredible dinner to follow. Since we are rapidly approaching peak pompano season, I will pay homage to the “Silver Surfers of the Emerald Coast” with a little overview of the life of a Florida Pompano.
Beach Fishing for Florida Pompano is for Everyone, Young and Old – Thomas Derbes II
Florida Pompano have a very wide range, from Massachusetts to Brazil, and are a member of the family Carangidae (aka the Jack Family). It is a very popular sport and commercial fishery, and its rapid growth rate makes it a prime candidate for aquaculture. Florida Pompano are highly migratory fish, and they can run from the Florida Keys all the way to Texas and back in a season. In the Florida Panhandle, the Florida Pompano run starts in April/May lasting until July, with a bonus fall run in October/November when they are returning south. When fishing off the sandy beaches of the Florida Panhandle, you can run into its cousins the Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) and Palometa (Trachinotus goodei) who often get mistaken for a Florida Pompano. Another thing they have in common with Florida Pompano is their love of crustaceans including the Mole Crab (aka Sand Fleas) (Emerita portoricensis) and Atlantic White Shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus).
Just like most members of the family Carangidae, Florida Pompano are considered “batch spawners.” A batch spawner is when a female releases her eggs into the water column and a male simultaneously releases his sperm into the water column. Female Florida Pompano can release upwards of 800,000 eggs per spawning season, and Florida Pompano typically head offshore in early spring to October in the Gulf of Mexico to spawn, and their juveniles return to the beach to grow along the shoreline. Florida Pompano can reach an aquaculture harvest size of 12 inches within one year, and males reach maturity in 1 year whereas females mature after 2 to 3 years.
Florida Pompano Eggs 12 Hours Post Fertilization – Thomas Derbes II
When it comes to table fare, Florida Pompano ranks very high on my personal fish list, and many chefs love serving pompano at their restaurants due to the great, mild taste and fillets that are of even thickness. Their diet of crustaceans helps yield a buttery, almost crab flavor and the meat is very flaky and white. There are many preparation techniques for Florida Pompano, from grilled whole to pan-fried, and pompano have even inspired their own cooking technique, “Pompano en Papillote,” or baking pompano in parchment paper.
Beautiful Florida Pompano Caught Off Pensacola Beach, Florida – Thomas Derbes II
When fishing for Florida Pompano off the beach, most anglers employ a large rod (usually a 10ft rod) with a 20lb fluorocarbon double drop loop rig and pyramid weight. The larger rod allows for maximum casting distance from the beach, giving beach anglers a chance to reach behind the first sandbar. Most anglers will bring either fresh dead shrimp or a flea rake with them to catch the prized bait, mole crabs. Pro tip, when casting out the rods, make sure you have a bait close to the shore in the “trough” and not just past the sandbar. (Learn More About Rigging Here!) If you plan to harvest a Florida Pompano, make sure you check your local regulations. In the Florida Panhandle, Florida Pompano must be 11 inches (fork-length) or larger with a daily limit of 6 per angler.
My nephew showing off his prized Florida Pompano – Zach Saway
I hope you have enjoyed this profile for the Florida Pompano. Now is the time to get your rods out of storage and ready to hit the beach!
