![]() ![]() Its objectives are to monitor fish growth and survival, and water quality in tanks with static or flow-through processed wastewater to maximize public protection by biomonitoring fish grown at the facility for contaminants and to investigate the economic viability of an agribusiness based upon these technologies. and Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation grants. The pilot project has led to a two-year research project funded by Kentucky Science and Technology Corp. Paddlefish project Treated wastewater from a treatment plant provides high-quality water for paddlefish culture. In most cases, new facilities are built adjacent to old and could conveniently provide treated effluent for the hatcheries, provided Environmental Protection Agency water quality criteria are followed to ensure safety for humans, wildlife and aquatic life. In the U.S., many older plants could be renovated as fish hatcheries and save demolition costs, increase seedstock fish supplies, create jobs and generate revenue. With improved methods for processing wastewater, many municipalities are building newer, larger facilities and decommissioning the old ones, many of which have tanks and ponds that could be easily and economically adapted for fish culture. Wastewater treatment plants are integral parts of every urban community in the United States, as well as Eastern Europe and China. Large volumes of effluent water provide excellent water quality. Live zooplankton, primarily daphnids, are a first food for fry harvested from clarifier tanks. Survival has increased dramatically at the plant compared to pond culture because there is no bird predation. Since 2006, a pilot project that uses wastewater effluent and unused or decommissioned tanks at a wastewater treatment plant has demonstrated the culture of over 70,000 phase II 200-gram paddlefish in Kentucky. Bird netting eliminates the problem but is costly for commercial-size ponds. However, bird predation has been a major factor in low survival. Initial research on phase II fingerling production was completed in ponds using a combination of zooplankton and prepared diets. ![]() Kentucky State University Aquaculture Research Center in Frankfort, Ky., USA, has been studying paddlefish as a food fish since the late 1980s. In all countries, however, short supplies and high prices for seedstock are still the main factors limiting expansion of the paddlefish industry. In Ukraine and other countries, paddlefish aquaculture has attracted a high level of public interest. In the United States, the capture fishery for paddlefish is now strongly restricted, resulting in a declining supply. Production is predicted to rise to 300 to 400 MT/year by 2012, with further industry growth then expected when the next generation of breeders are available. In 2008, about 10 metric tons (MT) of meat were produced. In China, whole cooked paddlefish attract consumers at high-end restaurant in large cities.īecause of this demand, more reservoirs and ponds have become available for increasing production. Internationally, paddlefish are also well received by consumers in Eastern European countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldovia, Romania, Russia and Ukraine, because of the similarity of their meat and caviar to those of sturgeon. Market surveys in the United States have demonstrated strong appeal for the caviar and boneless white meat of cultured paddlefish. Its ability to consume zooplankton by filter feeding, rapidly grow 2.5 to 4.0 kg per year and produce black roe for high-quality caviar has made it desirable for culture. Paddlefish ( Polyodon spathula) is one of the most intriguing emerging species for aquaculture. KSU research uses wastewater effluent and unused or decommissioned wastewater treatment tanks Paddlefish grow quickly and yield both quality meat and caviar.
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