Fisheries and aquaculture

Tilapia being raised in fish farm on the river

Fish Farming

Whether commercial or just your backyard pond, raising fish provides an opportunity for people to produce an additional source of protein at relatively low cost.

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How to manage drought-stressed ponds

Published: Friday, July 14, 2023

This is part of an MU Extension series to help with drought management.COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought combined with high temperatures can have devastating effects on fish ponds, but pond owners can take steps to alleviate these effects.During a drought, ...

Missouri farmers can profit using modern, sustainable aquaculture technology

Published: Thursday, April 28, 2022

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ninety percent of the U.S. seafood supply is imported, mostly from China and Southeast Asia. Around 25% of U.S. wild-caught fish are exported to Asia for processing and then reimported to the U.S.“Adapting improved fish and shrimp ...

Big fish

Published: Monday, April 28, 2014

WARSAW, Mo.– These fish aren’t biting. Paddlefish never do. They eat by filtering plankton as water passes through their gills. But here on the Osage Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks, paddlefish do put up good fight after being hooked.“It feels ...

Farm ponds can put food on the table

Published: Thursday, July 24, 2008

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Many Missourians may have an untapped resource to combat rising food costs right in their own back yard: Families with ponds at least one-quarter acre in size can take a bite out of grocery bills by raising bass and bluegill to eat, ...

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Publications

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Growing Missouri’s Aquaculture Industry: Marketing Study

Publication date: Aug. 1, 2023

Alice Roach, Senior Research Associate, MU Division of Applied Social SciencesMallory Rahe, State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionRyan Milhollin, State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionJoe Horner, ...

Growing Missouri’s Aquaculture Industry: Business Models

Publication date: July 1, 2023

Joe Horner, State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionDrew Kientzy, Research Program Analyst, University of MissouriRyan Milhollin, State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionRobert Pierce, Associate ...

Growing Missouri’s Aquaculture Industry: Needs Assessment

Publication date: June 1, 2023

Mallory Rahe, State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionLaura Gordon, Program Coordinator II, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionRyan Milhollin, State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionAlice ...

Growing Missouri’s Aquaculture Industry: Trends and Outlook

Publication date: June 1, 2023

Ryan Milhollin, State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionMatt Ernst, Independent WriterJoe Horner, State Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy, MU ExtensionPaul Brown, Eastwood Inc.Robert Pierce, Associate Extension ...

Managing Ponds and Lakes for Aquaculture and Fisheries in Missouri: Controlling Nuisance Aquatic Vegetation

Publication date: March 24, 2023

This fisheries and aquaculture guide is one in a series being developed jointly by MU Extension and Lincoln University.Charles E. HicksAquaculture SpecialistLincoln UniversityRobert A. Pierce IIFisheries and Wildlife State SpecialistSchool of Natural ...

Collection and Submission of Samples for Fish-Kill Investigation and Toxic-Substance Analysis

Publication date: Oct. 4, 2022

Robert A. PierceExtension Fish and Wildlife SpecialistThomas W. MayFormerly with National Biological Survey, National Fisheries Contaminant Research CenterCharles E. Hicks (Retired)Lincoln UniversityFish kills occur in natural and cultured ...

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Resources

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Ponds — Planning, Design, Construction (PDF)

This handbook describes the requirements for building a pond. It is useful to the landowner for general information and serves as a reference for the engineer, technician, and contractor

Aquaculture 101: Basic Economies of Fed-Pond Aquaculture (PDF)

This presentation covers an economic overview of Midwest seafood production, feeding, biogain, and biomass predictions.

Outdoor Aquaculture Intensification Techniques (PDF)

This presentation covers partitioned ponds, split-ponds, intensive ponds, in-pond raceways, and recirculating systems.

Economics of Recirculating Aquaculture (PDF)

This presentation covers basic economic elements of land-based RAS, such as capital expenses, operating expenses and working capital, and a comparison of land-based RAS and net-pen salmon production models.

Measurement of Aquaculture Water Quality (PDF)

Zero-Discharge Biofloc Aquaculture (PDF)

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