more... > Louisiana Agriculture Magazine > Past Issues > 1999 > Fall > Ornamental ponds and water gardens [Image: water garden] Ornamental ponds and water gardens are becoming increasingly popular. It is estimated thatthere are about 40 new ones per week in the vicinity of Baton Rouge alone. This phenomenon offers entrepreneurial opportunities for those interested in aquaculture. These ponds need to be designed, stocked and maintained. Preferable varieties of fish include goldfish and koi. Sustainability in Aquaculture [Image: Figure 1.] Sustainability, a concept much discussed in the aquaculture industry,has become associated with the idea that production systems must be designed and sited with consideration of not only their economic viability, but also their long-term environmental and sociological impact. Price and yield risk in catfish aquaculture [Image: Example of Budget] Many of the problems in the catfishindustry are exacerbated by the uncertainty producers face when planning their operations. The sources of risk are numerous,ranging from weather fluctuationsand bird predation to regulatory policy. Potential for the Partitioned Aquaculture System in Louisiana [Image: Illustration] The most serious problems that face catfish farmers include losses from birdsand diseases, off-flavor and the shortageof labor to harvest fish. These problems have been magnified in recent years asfish farmers have increased stocking andfeeding rates to keep ahead of increasing expenses and competition.  more articles... Pond Production of Catfish: Research Focuses on Improving Yields [Image: Photo of fish eggs ] Although many advances have beenmade during the rapid growth of thecatfish industry, today’s culture practicesare about the same as those developedover 25 years ago. Turning minced meat from catfish frames into surimi Most catfish is processed into fresh or frozen fillets and whole-dressed fish. Other products include steaks, nuggets and value-added products, which accounted for 21 percent of the total products sold in1998. Better Crawfish Aquaculture Through Research [Image: harvesting crawfish] The domestic crawfish industry isthe only large-scale, commercially viable crustacean aquaculture industry in North America. With more than 110,000 acresof crawfish ponds, Louisiana’s 1,600 farmers produce 35 million to 50 million pounds annually worth $25 million to$35 million at the producer level. GENOME MAPPING of aquaculture species Geneticists develop maps of DNA molecules to aid in understanding inheritance patterns.One kind of map, called agenetic linkage map, describes inheritanceof observable traits, such as color or shape, and usually involves breeding studiesto compare parents and offspring. Quest Continues for Rice Variety Tailored to Crawfish Production [Image: chart] Crawfish aquaculture in Louisianadepends solely on a forage-based foodsystem for supplying nutrients to thegrowing animals. Because of availableplant residue following grain harvestsand because rice exhibits good regrowth characteristics, crawfish production often follows the rice harvest as a common crop rotation practice More A'peeling Mudbugs - Purging Crawfish Holds Promise for More Profits [Image: Photo of purging crawfish] The preferred way to cook crawfishis to boil the whole animal in seasonedwater and then serve it so the consumerextracts the abdominal muscle, or tailmeat, by hand. Potential for Increased Diversification in Louisiana's Aquaculture Industry [Image: Photo of offshore platforms] Although Louisiana already has adiverse aquaculture industry, many morespecies could be grown here or grown ona larger scale. Many prospects present specific problems that could complicate commercial development, but most of these constraints relate to marketing, financing or regulatory considerations, not technical issues. Preventing enteric septicemia of catfish and photobacteriosis in hybrid striped bass [Image: Photo of striped bass] Two serious problems affecting Louisiana aquaculture arethe bacterial pathogens that cause enteric septicemia of catfish(ESC) and photobacteriosis in hybrid striped bass. ESC causes theloss of millions of dollars annually in the catfish industry. New Disease Problems Continue to Arise in Aquaculture Industry [Image: Photo of Aquaculture Research Station] In much of aquaculture, animals arein high density production systems. Thiscan result in stress from crowding andsub-optimal water quality conditions andprovide for easy transmission of disease.In response to anticipated disease Vectors for transforming catfish When a gene from one species of plant or animal is inserted in to the genome of another species, the resulting plant or animal is then transgenic. Click for more information...