Catfish farmers are beset with a number of problems that are having significant deleterious effects on profitability including off-flavor, diseases, and bird depredation. A new technology, the "Partitioned Aquaculture System" (PAS) concentrates fish in a raceway built within the perimeter levees of a larger pond. The non-raceway area serves as a "waste-water treatment lagoon" to optimize production of desirable species of algae, and to degrade organic waste so as to maintain high levels of water quality and thereby allow for the intensification of fish production. The advantage of the PAS system over conventional pass-through raceways is that the water is continuously re-used and purified thereby conserving water resources and reducing the pollutional effects on water discharge on receiving waterways. Fry and fingerling production phases represent the highest periods of mortality in commercial catfish production. The application of PAS technology to fry and fingerling phases of the catfish production cycle would be expected to greatly enhance survival of juvenile catfish through the first growing season. We propose to utilize PAS technology in a commercial-scale demonstration project for catfish fingerling production, with primary emphasis on channel catfish, and secondary interest in blue catfish, and blue x channel catfish hybrid.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:: This proposed research is the first attempt to commercialize a concept in aquaculture technology - Partitioned Aquaculture System. A success outcome of this project will provide detailed information of the potential for commercialization of the PAS system catfish fingerling production. The advantages of the proposed research over existing technologies applied to open pond aquaculture systems include labor requirements for feeding and harvesting the fish are significantly reduced. Inventory control and treatment of the fish for disease prevention is possible, and predation is reduced or eliminated. Control of oxygen levels can be maintained, thereby improving the feeding rate and feed conversion.
