Aquaculture & Fisheries

Arkansas is a leading producer of baitfish, sport fish, catfish and other fish species raised commercially.  Information on aquaculture, farm ponds, fisheries and most all things aquatic is available from the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.  Center personnel, Extension Specialists and faculty with the University of Arkansas System's  Division of Agriculture work together to provide you with the latest research-based information and to help solve pond problems.  Arkansas has over 127,000 farm ponds, and the Center, in cooperation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, helps pond owners obtain the most from their ponds.  Center specialists can help you with questions on producing fish for home use or local sales, water gardens, or getting started in commercial aquaculture.

Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC)
One of five Regional Centers established by Congress through the USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  The Fact Sheets on this site provide information on important species of fish and shellfish produced in the Southern Region.

• Recreational Ponds

  Arkansas Sport Fish Supplier List - for farm pond stocking

  Plant ID

  ID Groups
  (algae, floating, submersed, emergent),
  AquaPlant,
  Univ of Florida Center for Invasive Plants

  Control Options

  Biological
  Chemical
  Physical
  Mechanical

  Common Arkansas Aquatic Plants

  Duckweed
  Watermeal
  Waterprimrose
  Alligatorweed
  Smartweed
  Southern naiad
  Pithophora
  Any others we can agree on

  Permitting Regulations for Herbicide Use

  Explanation of law and a link to the ADEQ regulations and forms

  Other Resources

  Include links to fact sheets, MP44, other websites

• Fish Health & Certification

  Fish pathogens

  Viral pathogens
  Bacterial pathogens
  Parasitic and fungal pathogens

  Non-infectious disease agents

  Nutritional problems
  Natural and introduced toxins

  Management and treatment of pathogens and non-infectious agents

  Fish pathogens

  Viral pathogens
  Bacterial pathogens
  Parasitic and fungal pathogens

  Non-infectious disease agents

  Nutritional problems
  Natural and introduced toxins

  Arkansas Safe Bait program

  Interstate inspections

  General pathogens for all inspections

  Viral pathogens
  Primary bacterial pathogens
  Other significant pathogens

  Specific pathogens for selected states

  California
  New York
  States requiring Asian tapeworm free fish

  International inspections

  Canada

  Classes of imported aquaculture species
  List of aquaculture species and associated fish
  pathogens required for certification

  Other countries

  OIE listed fish pathogens
  Special requirements

• On-Farm Research Verification

  What is Research Verification?

   

  Verification Studies

  Catfish

  Split Pond Production

  What is a split pond?
  Stocking Data
  Harvest Data
  Water Quality Data
  Overview

  Intensive Aeration

  Stocking Data
  Harvest Data
  Water Quality Data
  Overview

  Catfish Yield Blog

  Baitfish
  Sport fish
  Other

  Research Based Recommendations

  Catfish
  Baitfish
  Sport fish
  Other

  Message Board

   

  Contact

  Verification Coordinator: Luke Roy  royl@uapb.edu

• Economics

  Industry statistics
  Costs and returns
  Business management spreadsheets
  Other assistance

Contacts

• Dr. Anita Kelly – Extension Fisheries Specialist
  Associate Director, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center of Excellence

  Location: UAPB - Lonoke Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
  Lonoke Agricultural Center
  P.O. Box 357
  2001 Highway 70 East
  Lonoke, AR 72086
  
  Phone: 501-676-3124
  Mobile: 501-628-2807
  Fax:      501-676-7847 
  Email: kellya@uapb.edu

  General Program Area:

  Provides fish disease diagnostic services, aquaculture and small impoundment information, water quality, aquatic weed identification and control. Conducts applied research with respect to baitfish, sport fish, and catfish production. Addresses aquaculture industry issues, and editor of Arkansas Aquafarming.

  Priority Programs:

  Fish Disease Diagnosis, Water Quality Analysis, Assistance to Baitfish and Ornamental Fish Growers on Production and Aquatic Weed Control. Applied Research on Current Issues Producers Identify. Registration of New Compounds for Aquaculture. 

• Dr. Luke Roy – Extension Aquaculture Specialist

  Location: UAPB - Lonoke Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
  Lonoke Agricultural Center
  P.O. Box 357
  2001 Highway 70 East
  Lonoke, AR 72086
  

  Phone: 501-676-3124
  Fax:      501-676-7847
  Email:  royl@uapb.edu

  General Program Area:

  Provides disease diagnostic services, baitfish production, aquaculture information, water quality and aquatic weed identification. Conducts applied research with respect to baitfish, sport fish, and editor of Arkansas Aquafarming.

  Priority Programs:

  Winter Fish Losses, Alternative Species, Alternate Production Systems

• Dr. Nilima Renukdas – Extension Associate

  Location: UAPB - Lonoke Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
  Lonoke Agricultural Center
  P.O. Box 357
  2001 Highway 70 East
  Lonoke, AR 72086

  Phone: 501-676-3124
  Fax: 501-676-7847
  Email: renukdasn@uapb.edu

  General Program Area:

  Provides Fish Disease Diagnosis.

  Priority Programs:

  Conducts Annual Fish Inspections for Arkansas Baitfish Certification Program, and Research on Genetic Linkages to Diseases in Fish.

• Larry Dorman – Extension Aquaculture Specialist

  Location: UAPB - Lake Village Fish Disease Laboratory
  1652C Hwy. 65 & 82 South
  Lake Village, AR 71653
  
  Phone: 870-265-5440
  Mobile: 870-737-3281
  Fax: 870-265-2750
  Email: dormanl@uapb.edu

  Office is located in Guachoya Cultural Arts Bldg (Old Lake Village Nursing Home). The office occupies the south end of the building, look for UAPB Fish Disease Laboratory sign just off the highway to the west. It is about 1 mile south from the intersection where U.S. Hwy 82 turns westward towards Hamburg.

  General Program Area:

  Provides fish disease diagnosis, water quality analysis, aquatic vegetation control, farm pond management, budget, fish inventory appraisal and evaluation assistance to new fish producers, commercial catfish production, aquaculture.

  Priority Programs:

  Commercial Catfish Production and Inventory Assessment, Fish Disease Diagnosis, Water Quality, Budget Assistance, New Producers, Farm Pond Management, Youth Fishing.

• George Selden – Extension Aquaculture Specialist

  Location: UAPB - Jonesboro Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
  611 E. Washington Avenue, Suite A
  Jonesboro, AR 72401
  
  Mobile: 870-540-7805
  Email: seldeng@uapb.edu

  General Program Area:

  Provides identification of problem aquatic weeds and options for their control, assistance for catfish production and aquaculture. Provides information on emerging species. Conducts fish disease diagnosis and pond water quality analysis. Supports youth education.

  Priority Programs:

  Aquatic Weed Identification and Control, Nuisance Algae, Aquaculture and Catfish Production,  Alternative Aquaculture Species (shrimp, crawfish, turtles, etc.), 4-H Activities, Fish Disease Diagnosis and Pond Water Analysis.

• Bauer Duke – Extension Aquaculture Specialist

  Location: UAPB
  1200 N. University Drive, Mail Slot 4912
  Pine Bluff, AR 71601

  Phone: 870-575-8143 
  Fax: 870-575-4679
  Email: dukeb@uapb.edu

  - Office is located in S.J. Parker Extension Complex Room 128

  General Program Area:

  Provides assistance in aquaponics, aquatic plant identification, recirculating aquaculture systems, tilapia production, and water gardens

  Priority Programs:

  New Educator Programs for Aquaculture in the Classroom,  Aquaculture Information and Assistance, Organizes Workshops.

• Scott Jones – Extension Small Impoundments Specialist

  Location: UAPB
  1200 N. University Drive, Mail Slot 4912
  Pine Bluff, AR 71601

  Phone: 870-575-8185
  Fax: 870-575-4679
  Email: joness@uapb.edu

  - Office is located in S.J. Parker Extension Complex Room 131

  General Program Area:

  Provides assistance in Farm/Private Pond/Lake Management, Aquatic Plant Identification, and Youth Fishing Outreach.

  Priority Programs:

  Provides direct assistance and training to county Extension agents and private owners for comprehensive pond/lake management. Also develops, supervises and assists with numerous youth fishing activities for young children to college-aged participants. University Fishing Team coach.