Economics of Year-Round Production of Hybrid Striped Bass Fingerlings
Hybrid striped bass growers would benefit from year-round availability of the appropriate size of hybrid striped bass fingerlings. Indoor tank systems have been used to raise hybrid striped bass fingerlings, but the costs and risks have not been evaluated nor compared to pond production costs and risks. The graduate student would work with hybrid striped bass growers and researchers at the Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Station to assemble a database from which costs and returns would be estimated related to production of hybrid striped bass in ponds and tanks. Mixed integer mathematical programming models of hybrid striped bass fingerling production will be developed to assess the farm-level trade-offs associated with alternative technologies to produce hybrid striped bass fingerlings year-round.
Admission requires a B.S. degree in aquaculture, fisheries, agricultural economics, or a related field, a minimum GPA (last 2 years) of 3.0 and GRE score of 1,000 (verbal + quantitative). Applications will be considered until a candidate is selected (proposed starting date August 1, 2008).
To apply, complete graduate application materials and assistantship application forms (www.uaex.edu/aqfi) and send to:
Dr. Carole Engle
Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, UAPB
1200 N. University Drive
Mail Slot 4912
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
TEL: 870 575-8523
cengle@uaex.edu
(for questions only; hard copy applications required).