Aquaculture is the general term used to describe the propagation and rearing of aquatic animals in controlled or selected environments. Although this is a growing industry in the United States, the vast majority of fisheries food products eaten here are imported. Aquaculture sales for the nation for 1998 surpassed 290 million dollars.

For the state, sales totalled more than 2 million dollars. Michigan households and restaurants consume an estimated 144 million pounds of fish annually. The approximately 70 commercial aquaculture operations in the state produce only 12 percent of this number. This leaves us importing from other avenues 78% of our fish market. Over half the fish raised commercially are trout. Other important species here are striped bass, perch and walleye. Fish are produced primarily for fee fishing and recreational use. Retail sales is listed as the 3rd highest market.

It is estimated that to start a trout production costs $200,000. Lower levels of investment will limit income. The average sale price for food-sized trout in 1990 was 2.34 a pound..

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture. It's popularity and success as an investment opportunity and a means of diversifying farming operations have resulted in a growing interest among traditional agriculture producers.

A fact sheet put out by the North Central Region Aquaculture Center lists a 4 step process to establishing a commercial fish business. A study of the water supply should take place as early in the process as feasible. Stages include:

Step 1- planning

Step 2 -training

Step 3 -small scale pilot test

Step 4 -commercial operation.

This bulletin (Making Plans for Commercial Aquaculture in the North Central Region) can be obtained on-line or by contacting your extension office (see addresses below ).

Aquaculture ventures can be extremely labor intensive. The cost of labor may be the single most limiting factor in terms of production costs. Less labor intensive setups usually have high feed costs. Poor understanding of the nutritional requirements of the fish can result in rigid diet formulations This adds to the cost of production.

The two greatest constraints to growth that were indicated in a survey taken by growers already in the business were marketing problems and lack of capital. Insufficient water availability was also listed as well as lack of time and restrictive regulations. Currently the number of permits required to establish an aquaculture business in Michigan are minimal however the process does take time. Expect it to take a year for the planning and permitting stages to be completed

For more information

Managing Michigan Ponds for Sport Fishing is a good reference book to get the construction portion of the business started.

It lists species examples, regulation requirements and gives construction tips This book can be purchased for $3.50.

Three bulletins put out by MSUE that will give you more information are:

E2456- Michigan Aquaculture Fact/Sheet,

E2455- A guide to licenses and permits for aquaculture in MI.

E1775- Making plans for Commercial fish culture.

You can obtain any of these from the extension offices listed on the back of this brochure or by contacting

the MSUE Bulletin Office at 10B Agriculture Hall, MSU, E. Lansing 48824. There are other bulletins concerning aquaculture available as well. A complete list will be at the extension offices and the cost per bulletin is $1.00.

Another good source of information is Making Plans for Aquaculture. This is put out by NCRAC and can be downloaded from AquaNic

North Central Region Aquaculture Center

Ted Batterson

Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, MSU

9A Natural Resources Building

E. Lansing, MI 48824

(517) 353-1989

MI Fish Growers Association

19465 200th Ave.

Big Rapids, MI 49307

(231) 796-2284.

C/ E. M. Conservation District

2769 Ashmun St.

Sault MI 49783

(906) 635-1278.

MSU Cooperative Extension Service - Chippewa County

300 Court St.

Sault, MI 49783

(906) 635-6368

Mackinac County- Court house

St. Ignace, MI 49715

(906) 643-7345.

Farm Bureau-County office

Tina Love

12361 W. Turner Rd.

Rudyard, MI 49780 (906) 478-5201.

District Sea Grant Agent

Ron Kinneunen

702 Chippewa

Marquette, MI 49855

(906) 228-4830.

AquaNIC- on-line at www.aquanic.org/