Fish Culture in Maryland:
Weighing the Pros and Cons

Introduction

One of the newer forms of agriculture in Maryland is the rearing of fish in farm ponds, better known as fish farming or fish culture. Increasingly, fish culture is attracting the attention of farmers because of the decline in production and prices from traditional farming enterprises, the decline of the Chesapeake Bay seafood industry, and the growing nationwide consumption of seafood.

If approached efficiently, fish farming can be very profitable. Of course it requires capital investment, labor and some specialized equipment and is not without certain risks and demands. For instance, one of the biggest problems farmers face in culturing fish is underestimating the daily attention that a live fish crop requires. As with any new farming enterprise that increases diversification, the pros and cons of fish culture must be assessed carefully before committing time and money. The following checklists should help in such an assessment. They were developed by Drs. John Jensen and Jerry Crews of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service for prospective catfish farmers, and are equally applicable for Maryland fish farmers, who will face similar situations. While these checklists do not cover every issue faced in culturing fish, they do give some insight into the factors you should consider in determining whether a fish culture enterprise is feasible for your particular situation. While the greatest likelihood of success will be realized by answering "yes" to most of the questions, answering "no" does not automatically mean failure. A preponderance of negative answers should probably lead you to take a second look at alternative uses for your resources.

Economic Factors

Management

• Do you already have suitable ponds or a site suitable for a pond?
• Do you have most of the machinery and equipment needed?
• Do you have the necessary financial resources?
• Is the fish profit potential higher than that of other possible investments?
• Will the expected profit be adequate compensation for you labor, management and risk?
• Will investment and operating capital interest rates permit reasonable profit?
• Is fish culture the best alternative for the land you intend to use?
• Can you afford to forego income until you sell your first crop?
• Are you able to absorb occasional losses?
• Are you willing to devote the daily time and effort required?

Marketing

• Do you know of an established market for your fish?
• Is there a market for your fish at the time you intend to sell them?
• Do you have a suitable arrangement for harvesting your fish?
• Can you be flexible and harvest during the off season?
• Do you have an alternative marketing strategy to fall back on?

Risk Factors

Do you have the knowledge and resources needed to contend with:

• Poor water quality?
• Off-flavor?
• Pesticide contamination?
• Poachers and vandals?
• Personal stress resulting from risk management?

Physical Factors

• Does the topography of the land lend itself to pond construction?
• Will the soil hold water?
• Is there enough water to fill the pond and replace loss?
• Is the water of proper quality for fish production?
• Is the pond area protected from flooding?
• Are the drains in existing ponds large enough to allow rapid drainage?
• Can wild fish be prevented from entering the pond?
• Is there a year-round access to the pond for harvesting and feeding?
• Is there a smooth, stump-free area in the pond to allow efficient harvesting?
• Is your residence close enough to the pond to allow for frequent observations and necessary adjustments?

Production Factors

• Are good quality feeds readily available for reasonable prices?
• Do you have a source of supply for the drugs and chemicals needed?
• Are fingerlings available from local dealers
• Can you raise your own fingerlings?
• Can you make or purchase aeration equipment?
• Is dependable labor available?
• Are dependable diagnostic services available?
• Do you have equipment for storing feed?
• Are you aware of the government agencies and trade associations that can provide you with educational and technical permits?
• Are you aware of the necessary permits required for raising fish in Maryland?

Summary

Fish can be highly profitable, but as with any farming enterprise there are risks attendant to every benefit. Positive answers to most of the questions from the checklists is suggestive of a manageable risk level, although there is no guarantee of success. Generally required for successful fish culturing are suitable land and water, sufficient money, a ready market and the time and skills needed to manage the operation. If you lack any of these elements, or answered negatively to many of the questions from the checklists, you may want to consider other uses for your resources.

References

Acknowledgements

This publication was funded through a grant provided to the University of University of Maryland Extension Service, Sea Grant Extension Program from the United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Extension and Publications. Additional funding was provided by NOAA, United States Department of Commerce to: the University of Maryland Sea Grant College. Much of the information provided in this document was obtained from the references listed above.

This publication is made possible by grant # NA86AA-D-SG-006, awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the University of Maryland Sea Grant College Program.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland, College Park,and local governments. Thomas A. Fretz, Director of Cooperative Extension Service, University System of Maryland.

The Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program is a joint effort of the Cooperative Extension service and the Maryland Sea Grant College, supported in part by the NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Department of Commerce.

The University System of Maryland is opportunity. The University's policies, programs and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on non-discrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be addressed to the Director of Personnel/Human Relations, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.

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