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U.S. aquacultural production is composed of the production of food
fish, ornamental fish, baitfish, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic plants
and algae, and some reptiles such as alligators and turtles. These
organisms are grown in a wide variety of climates in either fresh
or salt water and utilize a number of different production systems.
The 2005 Census of Aquaculture reported farm-level
sales of $1.1 billion. The catfish industry is the largest sector
in U.S. aquaculture, accounting for over 40 percent of all sales. Catfish
production is concentrated in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and
Louisiana. Catfish are grown in open freshwater ponds.
Other major foodfish species grown in the United States are trout,
salmon, tilapia, hybrid striped bass, sturgeon, walleye, and yellow
perch. With the exception of salmon, these fish are normally grown
in open freshwater production systems. Salmon are somewhat different
than other species, as they are hatched in fresh water and then
later transferred to saltwater net-pens for final growout.
Nonfood species are baitfish and ornamental fish. Baitfish are
produced in freshwater ponds, with Arkansas being the largest producer.
Ornamental fish production covers a large number of species and
a variety of growing environments, including fresh, salt, cold,
and warm water.
Aside from fish, U.S. aquaculture also produces freshwater crawfish,
mainly in Louisiana, and shrimp in brackish ponds in South Carolina,
Texas, and Hawaii. The industry also farm-raises mollusk species
such as abalone, oysters, clams, and mussels. Mollusks are grown
in almost every coastal area of the United States and are produced
using various systems.
Other species that fall under the definition of aquaculture include
the farmed production of alligators (mostly in Florida and Louisiana),
turtles, aquatic plants, and algae. Aquatic plant production can
either be edible varieties or plants for use in wetland restoration
projects. The best known algae production in the United States is
spirulina, which is used as an additive in health foods and also
as a feed component for pets and ornamental fish.
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