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Researchers hope to foster fish farming in Georgia
Elliott Minor
The gurgling tanks in Pat Duncan's greenhouses are filled with colorful fish and lush water hyacinths. Nearby, herbs are growing hydroponically, sustained by the nutrient-laden water from the fish tanks.
Duncan, the aquaculture specialist at Fort Valley State University, hopes her fish production research will provide Georgia farmers with an alternate source of income. And with the latest compact recirculating systems costing as little as $1,000 to $2,000, fish farming can be an option for just about anyone, from Atlanta condo dwellers with basements to 1,000-acre south Georgia plantation owners.
"We're here to help Georgians with any type of aquacultural systems they set up, whether it's in ponds, raceways, recirculating systems or in cages," said Duncan. "In Georgia we have marvelous urban markets nearby."
Duncan hosted a conference Tuesday, focusing on research with recirculating systems at Fort Valley State, the institution designated by the governor as Georgia's Center for Aquaculture Development.
Gary Burtle, a University of Georgia aquaculture expert from Tifton, also addressed the 12 prospective fish farmers who attended.
John Christenberry, 51, drove down from his 64-acre tree farm in northwest Georgia's Chattooga County. He wanted to learn whether he could raise catfish in the river that runs through his property.
"I just want to learn more about it," he said, noting that he's also considering Christmas tree production and pine straw sales to the lucrative Atlanta landscaping market.
Ed Pate, 48, a substitute letter carrier in southwest Georgia's Randolph County, said he learned about aquaculture at a farm show last summer and has been interested in producing catfish and trout ever since.
"I've got a friend who raises shrimp," he said. "Everybody likes seafood and fish. I wonder if it's feasible to produce them."
Demand for fresh and saltwater shrimp, catfish and tilapia, all of which can be produced in Georgia, has been increasing. U.S. seafood consumption climbed three straight years before hitting a record 4.8 billion pounds in 2004, the latest year for which government statistics are available.
"Aquaculture is a viable alternative type of agriculture," Duncan said. "There's no doubt there will be an increasing demand for seafood now and in the future. We're already at maximum harvest in the oceans. The fisheries that are so depleted, it's unlikely they'll recover. So with the growing demand and population growth, farmers will have to fill the gap. This gives them opportunity."
Duncan's greenhouses hold about a dozen recirculating systems, allowing her to raise tilapia, catfish, freshwater shrimp known as prawns and other species.
The systems have some of the same components as aquariums, only on a larger scale. The water constantly circulates through filters that clean it up while pumps maintain healthy oxygen levels.
Duncan grows water hyacinths on the water's surface to remove nitrogen, and has hydroponic herb gardens nearby with dill, parsley and basil nourished by nutrients from the fish tanks.
The tanks can range from the size of a motel swimming pool to the diameter of a child's wading pool, but three or four feet deep. And while a low-end system might cost as little as $1,000, larger systems can run $100,000 to $200,000, Duncan said.
The pool-sized tank was made from 2X4's with a plastic liner, while the round tanks were light-blue plastic.
Georgia has lagged behind Mississippi, Alabama and Florida in fish farming, but still manages to rank among the top 10 or 11 states in production.
Duncan, who has worked in five other Southern states, said some states have made a stronger commitment to the industry, but despite this, Georgia still has some successful fish farmers.
A few rural communities have had their hopes dashed when aquacultural enterprises were announced, but failed to open.
Burtle said the successful ones just don't make headlines like those who fail.
"You hear about the guy who went in in a big way and failed," Burtle said. "But you don't hear about the guy who is producing, who has his market problems solved and who has sent his kids to college."
Marketing is critical, Duncan said, adding that prospective fish farmers need to line up buyers before they produce a single fish.
"I tell people to be careful," she said.
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