Making a Difference: Agricultural Commodities

Making a Difference: Aquaculture

Faculty Working With Aquaculture

Field Day Schedule

 

With abundant cold-water resources in the west and a long coastline to the east, North Carolina is a natural for aquaculture, and aquaculture is, indeed, among the fastest growing segments of N.C. agriculture. Dr. Tom Losordo, professor of biological and agricultural engineering, puts the total N.C. aquaculture farm gate, processed product and feed value at about $55 million annually. North Carolina has an established trout industry in the west, while in other areas growers are raising tilapia, hybrid striped bass, catfish, crawfish, freshwater prawns, clams and oysters and blue crabs. We also see the beginnings of aquaculture with southern flounder, yellow perch and black sea bass. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences research and extension programs focus on providing growers the information they need to be successful. Hybrid striped bass is a good example. College research made hybrid striped bass production possible in North Carolina, and the state now produces more than 2.5 million pounds of hybrid striped bass, worth about $8 million annually. Sales from hybrid striped bass hatcheries add another $1 million. We’re even involved in the production of sturgeon for caviar. Explore the links below to learn more about how our college programs are helping North Carolina aquaculture prosper. (Pictured above: Losordo, left, and Dr. Jeff Hinshaw, associate professor of Zoology, with a young sturgeon.)