Freshwater Fish Farming in Virginia: Selecting the Right Fish to Raise
In Virginia and throughout the United States, interest in fish farming for profit or as a hobby has increased in the past few years. Encouraged by the success of trout farmers in western states and...
View ArticlePond Construction: Some Practical Considerations
Conservative estimates place the correct number of farm ponds in Virginia at over 50,000. These ponds range in size from less than one acre to over 30 acres in size. Unfortunately, many of these ponds...
View ArticlePlanning for Commercial Aquaculture
Aquaculture, the practice of growing finfish and shellfish under controlled conditions, is not a new concept. The Japanese, Chinese, Romans, Egyptians, and Mayan Indians of South America farmed fish...
View ArticleClearing Muddy Pond Waters
All other things being equal, clear water ponds can produce many more fish than muddy ponds. Muddy water reduces fish food availability, and interferes with the ability of fish to see and catch prey....
View ArticleControl Methods For Aquatic Plants in Ponds and Lakes
Aquatic plants growing in ponds and lakes are beneficial for fish and wildlife. They provide food, dissolved oxygen, and spawning and nesting habitat for fish and waterfowl. Aquatic plants can trap...
View ArticleFish Kills: Their Causes and Prevention
Fish die as a result of a wide variety of natural and unnatural causes. Fish may die of old age, starvation, body injury, stress, suffocation, water pollution, diseases, parasites, predation, toxic...
View ArticleThe Control of Burrowing Crayfish in Ponds
At times landowners may be confronted with serious water losses resulting from the sudden collapse or gradual deterioration of earthen pond dams, irrigation canals, and drainage ditches. Although the...
View ArticleLiming Acidified Lakes and Ponds
“Liming,” as the word suggests, is the addition of limestone (calcite), primarily calcium carbonate (CaCO3), to neutralize acid waters and soils and buffer them from rapid fluctuations in pH. Limestone...
View ArticleCommercial Frog Farming
Raising and selling frogs on a commercial basis has not proven to be successful economically in Virginia or elsewhere in the United States to our knowledge.
View ArticleUnderstanding Fish Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding
Good nutrition in animal production systems is essential to economically produce a healthy, high quality product. In fish farming, nutrition is critical because feed represents 40-50% of the production...
View ArticleShould You Attempt Fish Farming? Considerations for Prospective Fish Growers
Fish farming is an ancient practice that can provide many profitable opportunities today. The raising and selling of fish on a commercial basis has proven to be economically successful throughout the...
View ArticleIntensive Marine Finfish Larviculture
Marine finfish production is a rapidly expanding field, both in research and industrial aquaculture. A driving force behind this growth is the inherently high value placed upon marine finfish products...
View ArticleHACCP Verification Procedures - Validation of Blue Crab Retort Processes
Processors in the state of Virginia that cook whole crabs and pick the meat for sale must be certified by Virginia Department of Health/Division of Shellfish Sanitation (DSS). They also are required to...
View ArticleRotifer Production (as a First Feed Item) for Intensive Finfish Larviculture
Live feeds are an integral component in the cultivation of most marine finfish species during larval stages. The first live feed that has demonstrated acceptability for most marine species, and which...
View ArticleArtemia Culture for Intensive Finfish and Crustacean Larviculture
In Virginia and throughout the United States, freshwater and saltwater finfish and shrimp aquaculture is expanding rapidly. During the cultivation of most marine finfish and shrimp species – as well as...
View ArticleOverview of Good Aquaculture Practices
Aquaculture has seen rapid growth in the United States. In Virginia, aquaculture is expanding in the foodfish, baitfish, shellfish, and ornamental production sectors. Growth areas include pond...
View ArticleFood Allergen Labeling and HACCP Control for the Seafood Industry: Undeclared...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 11 million Americans have food allergies. A food allergy can trigger symptoms ranging from a tingling mouth, swelling of the...
View ArticleSafe and Nutritious Seafood in Virginia
Consumers enjoy eating a variety of seafood and can find many choices of fresh as well as frozen seafood in the refrigerated and freezer cases of grocery stores. Seafood tastes good, is low in...
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