SERA9: Aquatic Food Animals from Warm Water Aquaculture
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
SERA9: Aquatic Food Animals from Warm Water Aquaculture
Duration: 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2009
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
The 2005 Census of Aquaculture indicates that the Southern Region accounts for 68% of the total value of aquaculture products produced in the United States. The region contains seven of the Top Ten producing states. It has been estimated that the economic impact to the four primary catfish producing states (Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana) is over $ 4 billion. The region also leads the country in production of ornamental fish (72%), foodfish (58%), baitfish (56%), sport fish (51%), and miscellaneous aquaculture species (76%). Heavy clay soils, warm climate, long growing season, and extensive coastal shorelines give the region distinct advantages to continued economic development. However, some production systems are experiencing financial difficulty due to higher input costs (particularly grain-based feeds and fuel prices) and increasing foreign competition. It is expected that channel catfish producing acres may be reduced by as much as 30% if dramatic adjustments to these challenges are not made. In addition, new production system technologies and practices are the focus of university and industry research and development programs and new scientific tools and discoveries offer promise to improve production efficiencies. Changes in consumer preferences and supply chain structures indicate the importance of marketing intelligence. Economic analysis and modeling as integral components of research planning are becoming increasingly critital as profit margins tighten in numerous species sectors.
The regional aquaculture industrys continued need for research on reducing production costs, coupled with a lack of RRF-sponsored activity in this area, strongly justify continued regional and multistate coordination and planning through regularly meetings and timely exchanges of information among research scientists and extension specialists involved in aquaculture. In addition, timely transfer of new technologies through extension educational programs to producers and identification of critical, emerging issues needing research support, require increased communication with extension specialists. The current SERA provides this needed forum for exchanges of research-based information on all aspects of warmwater aquaculture, leveraging of existing knowledge and experience, strategic collaboration among Extension specialists and research scientists, and enhanced communication in the region.
The USDA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) utilizes recommendations from an Industry Advisory Council and a Technical Committee to determine priorities for new and continuing research and Extension projects for the region. SERA009 participants can assist in the project development process by providing input concerning research and Extension needs in the region as well as identifying possible Working Group and Steering Committee members. The regional structure also offers opportunities for new funding opportunities through strategically focused multistate collaborations and integrated research-extension approaches.
Objectives
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To bring together on an annual basis, research scientists and extension specialists from a diversity of disciplinary backgrounds who share a common interest in advancing the commercial development of warmwater aquaculture.
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To exchange current information in a timely manner on the status of new research findings and experiences of extension programs focused on aquaculture.
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To gain a regional perspective and formulate strategic actions to address current relevant problems.
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To provide input concerning research and Extension needs to the SRAC.
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To provide a forum for developing multistate collaborations that lead to expanded sources of funding for research, Extension and integrated projects.
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Objective 6. To strengthen collaboration among university-based research and extension programs and USDA ARS aquaculture research progams in this region.
Procedures and Activities
This group will meet annually in the Southern Region at an appropriate location with active aquaculture research and Extension programs, facilities, and industries. Although funding opportunities are very limited, travel expenses will be minimized by coordinating as many meetings activities as possible with the SRAC. Participants will meet in breakout sessions organized by key topics or species areas for timely updates on new research findings and successful Extension programs and to identify potential follow-up multistate collaborations. When meeting in conjunction with a SRAC annual meeting, participants will provide input on identifying critical regional issues. If a joint SRAC-SERA009 meeting cannot be held, SERA009 participants will review and provide input on the SRAC priorities identified by the Industry Advisory Committee and Technical Committee.
The Chair for the SERA009 is currently in place. The Chair will make arrangements for annual meetings in consultation with the SRAC Director, host institution, and Administrative Advisors. The SRAC Director and the USDA CSREES National Program Leader for Aquaculture will be invited to each meeting to provide updates and support for regional activities. Announcements on meetings will be distributed via email to research and Extension specialists in the region and posted on the SERA009 website. Minutes of all meetings will be posted on the SERA009 web site.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Exchanges of current information on research findings and Extension programs dealing with aquaculture will result in new ideas and innovations, multistate collaborations, and improved leveraging of research and Extension knowledge.
- Development of web-based information available to participants and the general public concerning project activities and summaries.
- Increased input into the development of SRAC projects and publications.
- Increased involvement by SERA009 participants on SRAC Working Groups and Steering Committees.
- Development of new multistate projects and enhanced research-extension integrated approaches to problem-solving.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
The project website will reside at Mississippi State University and will be maintained by the Chair. The site is available to the public and contains summaries of group breakout sessions and meeting activities. The group will work with SRAC to help fulfill its mission and to disseminate information on project findings.
Organization/Governance
Chair 2008: Jimmy L. Avery, Mississippi State University. A Chair-elect will be selected by participants at the 2009 meeting. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative (National Program Leader for Aquaculture). The SERA009 website will reside on the National Warmwater Aquculture Center server at Mississippi State University and will be maintained in collaboration with the Administrative staff of the National Warmwater Aquculture Center and Director of the SRAC. The SERA009 will meet annually and/or in conjunction with the SRAC. Contact: Jimmy L. Avery, Mississippi State University.
Literature Cited
Census of Aquaculture (2005). Volume 3, Special Studies Part 2. AC-02-SP-2. 2002 Census of Agriculture. Issued October 2006. USDA National Agriciltural Statistics Service. http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2002/Aquaculture/AQUACEN.pdf