Technological progress in the US catfish industry

Authors: HEDGE, SHRADDHA - Mississippi State University; KUMAR, GANESHA - Mississippi State University; ENGLE, CAROLE - Virginia Tech; HANSON, TERRY - Auburn University; ROY, LUKE - Auburn University; VAN SENTEN, JONATHAN - Virginia Tech; JOHNSON, JEFFREY - Mississippi State University; AVERY, JIMMY - Mississippi State University; AARATTUTHODIYIL, SUJA - Mississippi State University; DAHI, SUNNI - Auburn University

Submitted to: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2022
Publication Date: 2/15/2022
Citation: Hedge, S., Kumar, G., Engle, C., Hanson, T., Roy, L., Van Senten, J., Johnson, J., Avery, J., Aarattuthodiyil, S., Dahi, S. 2022. Technological progress in the US catfish industry. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 53(2):67-383. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12877.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12877

Interpretive Summary: This study monitored the progress of the adoption of alternative and complementary technologies in the US cat-fish industry. The average aeration rate in the tristate region has increased to 7.8 kW/ha with 97% of catfish farms adopting automated oxygen monitors. About53% of the water surface area in the tristate region was used for hybrid catfish production. Fingerling producers have also adopted a feed-based, oral vaccine against Enteric Septicemia of Catfish, with 83% of the fingerling farms and73% of the fingerling production area vaccinated against ESC in 2020.

Technical Abstract: The US catfish industry has undergone significant technological advancements in an attempt to achieve cost efficiencies. This study monitored the progress of the adoption of alternative and complementary technologies in the US cat-fish industry. A 2019–2020 multi-state in-person survey in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi (n=68), revealed increased adoption of intensively aerated ponds (6,315 ha)and split ponds (1,176 ha). The adoption of alternative,more intensive, production practices has been accompanied by increased adoption of complementary technologies of fixed-paddlewheel aeration, automated oxygen monitors,and hybrid catfish. As a result, the average aeration rate in the tristate region has increased to 7.8 kW/ha with 97% of catfish farms adopting automated oxygen monitors. About53% of the water surface area in the tristate region was used for hybrid catfish production. Fingerling producers have also adopted a feed-based, oral vaccine against Enteric Septicemia of Catfish, with 83% of the fingerling farms and73% of the fingerling production area vaccinated against ESC in 2020. Increased adoption of productivity-enhancing technologies in the US catfish industry explains the 59%increase in foodfish productivity from 2010 to 2019.