Aquaculture in Arizona - Research and Extension Kevin Fitzsimmons Environmental Research Lab Soil, Water and Environmental Science University of Arizona Oct. 2, 2000

Introduction Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector in production agriculture in the US and worldwide. Aquatic plants and animals are only now being domesticated. US industry is dwarfed by aquaculture in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Arizona industry is in infancy.

Introduction (cont.) Aquaculture systems can be extensive (ponds)

Introduction (cont.) Semi-intensive (raceways and cages)

Introduction (cont.) Intensive (tanks and multiple raceways)

Introduction (cont.) Superintensive (recirculating controlled environment systems)

Introduction (cont.) Arizona has all types of systems even within the small industry.

Introduction (cont.) Arizona has all types of systems even within the small industry. Shrimp, trout, tilapia, catfish, koi, grass carp

Introduction (cont.) Arizona has all types of systems even within the small industry. Shrimp, trout, tilapia, catfish, koi, grass carp Fee fishing

Introduction (cont.) Arizona has all types of systems even within the small industry. Shrimp, trout, tilapia, catfish, koi, grass carp Fee fishing Aquaculture in the classroom

Research Projects Effluent management Integration of aquaculture and agriculture Human pathogens in production systems Tilapia production

Research - Effluent management Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s) Aquaculture operations producing 50,000 + lbs per year, with discharge to waters of the U.S. are considered CAFO’s (CWA, Section 318) CAFO regulations are developed by the states and reviewed by the EPA. EPA is considering new aquaculture industry specific regulations

Research Projects - Integration of aquaculture and agriculture Virtually all of Arizona’s crops are irrigated, using millions of cubic meters of water Much of this water could be used for aquaculture first Increase organic and nutrient content of water

Research Projects - Integration of aquaculture and agriculture Experimental work at MAC and Safford Irrigate cotton crops with water from catfish ponds and well water Measure differences in water quality, nitrogen requirements & cotton yield Determine economic impact

Research Projects - Integration of aquaculture and agriculture First use of water for extensive pond culture. Pond filled with well water. Catfish stocked at 7,000 kg/ha Second use to irrigate and fertilize cotton. Replicated plots irrigated with well water and pond water.

Research Projects - Integration of aquaculture and agriculture Water pH reduced from 8.3 to 8.0 Added 19.7 kg/ha N to 45 kg/ha used in standard fertilization schedule.

Research Projects - Integration of aquaculture and agriculture Contributed 2.6 kg/ha P to crop.

Research Projects - Integration of aquaculture and agriculture RESULTS No significant difference in cotton yield. Split cost of water results in savings to farmers ($120/ha).

Research Projects - Human pathogens in production systems Most aquaculture systems encourage nitrifying and heterotrophic bacteria to improve water quality Farmers want to maximize the benefits of these types of bacteria in ponds Could human pathogens be present in pond environment?

Seven fish culture systems were monitored for bacterial populations Four recirculating systems with biofilters Three ponds with plastic, concrete or earthen walls and bottom Research Projects - Human pathogens in production systems

Each system was sampled for influent to filter or pond and effluent from filter or pond Water quality parameters (pH, DO, ammonia, nitrates, turbidity, alkalinity.)

Results for seven systems tested

Discussion Total coliforms and fecal coliforms are normally indicators of mammalian waste Outdoor ponds all had dogs on site for bird control, dogs and people were often in ponds Indoor systems had no known source

Discussion Total coliforms and fecal coliforms were present in all systems In all but one case they were high enough to indicate possible contamination Look for source of contamination

Discussion Non detects of Salmonella may imply other source Could be that other heterotrophic bacteria are interfering with tests providing false positives

Discussion If systems are in fact harboring human pathogens, care must be taken Remove sources Reduce pathogen levels in system Provide protective measures for workers and processors

Discussion No numerical limits on bacteria in systems by regulators (may change) Proper handling techniques required (wearing gloves, rinsing with chlorinated or ozonated water)

Discussion Additional research should determine if these indicator bacteria are really the pathogens Are fish pathogens present Existing best management practices will reduce chances of infection

Research Projects - Tilapia aquaculture Several species which readily hybridize Fast growing, herbivores-omnivores Native to Middle East and Africa Established and farmed in tropical regions Farmed in most temperate regions

Research Projects - Tilapia aquaculture Introduced to Arizona in 1960’s for weed control in irrigation canals Farms in desert parts of state Research has included nutrition, genetics, water quality effects on growth, and market development

Tilapia in the Americas

Tilapia imports to US ( )

Value of Tilapia imports ( )

Source of US Tilapia supply 2000 (by volume)

Research Projects - Tilapia aquaculture Edited two International Proceedings on Tilapia in Aquaculture

Extension Projects Economic impacts Fee fishing Arizona aquaculture web site Arid Lands Aquaculture Newsletter Aquaculture in the classroom

Extension Projects - Economic impact Distributed survey to all fish producers Determined inputs (salaries, feeds, fingerlings, water, etc) Determined production (sales) Proportions in and out of county & state Used IMPLAN and other models

Extension Projects - Economic impact Expenditures & sales for Az. aquaculture % of annual ownership and operating costs

Extension Projects - Economic impact Multipliers for additional $ of sales Keynsian M=1/(1-(b-X 1 -X 2 ) for local (county) economy for state economy Tiebout’s M=1/(1-p 1 *p 2 ) for local (county) economy for state economy

Extension Projects - Economic impact Multipliers for job creation

Extension Projects - Economic impact ARIZONA Aquaculture Production Thousand Pounds/Thousand Dollars (farm gate)

Extension Projects - Fee fishing Visit and interview farms / pay lakes- ponds Provide extension bulletins Marketing promotions Provide web sites

Extension Projects - Arizona Aquaculture Website Develop and maintain Website Develop content appropriate to clientele

Extension Projects - Arizona Aquaculture Newsletter

Extension Projects Teach summer short course Provide lab tours, on-site visits Develop web site and CD-ROM Provide fish for classrooms Host Career Development Events

Arizona Aquaculture Growing industry More efficient use of limited resources Skill levels of practitioners increasing Markets for locally produced fish are improving

Dawn of Arizona Aquaculture