The Economic Impact of the Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Industry on Chicot County,Arkansas

Abstract

This study analyzed the contribution of the catfish industry to the economy of Chicot County, Arkansas, using an input-output model. The objective was to quantify the economic contribution of the industry in terms of creating new dollars, jobs, and income to the local community. Mail surveys and personal interviews were used to collect data from catfish farmers, processors and other businesses related to the catfish industry. For farmers, the information solicited included production and marketing costs, sales and employment. Out of approximately 85 questionnaires administered to catfish farms, 44 usable questionnaires were obtained for a response rate of 52%. Businesses directly related to the catfish industry provided information on employment and sales and included: processors, seiners and haulers, pond builders, tractor and equipment dealers, and feed bin manufacturers. Other businesses with indirect ties to the catfish industry included: input supply companies, banks, fertilizer and chemical companies, auto shops, electricians, and bookkeeping firms. The survey data were used to modify the IMPLAN database for Chicot County to reflect the 2001 level of catfish production, processing and services available to support the industry. This database was then used to estimate the economic impact of the industry to the county's economy. In 2001, the 85 catfish farmers in the county operated about 7,859 ha (19,500 acres). The farm-gate value of catfish production exceeded $63 million. Employment on catfish farms was approximately 510. In addition, 59 other businesses depended on the catfish industry. Results indicated that total employment created in Chicot County by businesses directly or indirectly involved with the catfish industry was 2,665 jobs. This represented 48% of all employment in Chicot County. Total tax revenue (federal, state, and local taxes) generated from both direct and indirect catfish businesses was $22 million. Combined, the total economic impact of the catfish industry in Chicot County, including direct, indirect and induced effects, was over $384 million. The output multiplier calculated for live catfish production was 6.05. Thus, each $1 of earnings by catfish farms generated $6.05 total economic activity in the Chicot County economy. If current economic difficulties should result in contractions in catfish acreage in Chicot County by 10%, unemployment rates would increase by 2%. This study demonstrates the importance of the catfish industry to the economy of Chicot County.     

硝酸银对迷你桔瓜性别分化及坐果性的影响研究

[目的]探索利用硝酸银喷叶处理幼苗的方式解决迷你桔瓜春季栽培时存在雌花数较多且先于雄花开放的阶段性雌雄不配套问题,为生产上促进迷你桔瓜提早上市并增加产量提供理论依据。[方法]在迷你桔瓜幼苗生长的不同时期进行不同浓度的硝酸银喷叶处理,对各处理桔瓜性别分化情况和坐果性进行统计分析。[结果]利用硝酸银喷叶处理桔瓜幼苗可以促进雄花提早分化,增加雄花数量,使雌雄比降低;促进及早坐瓜,使第1坐果节位降低,提高单株坐果数;处理的最佳浓度为200 mg/L,处理的最佳时期为4叶1心期。[结论]硝酸银喷叶处理幼苗可以解决迷你桔瓜春季栽培时存在雌花数较多且先于雄花开放的问题,能促进迷你桔瓜提早上市并增加产量。     

Temporary Sequestration of Fingerling Channel Catfish in Cages as a Means to Improve Production of Multiple-Crop Ponds

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to determine if temporary sequestration of fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in cages improves production of multiple-crop ponds. In the first study, 0.04-ha ponds were stocked with 295 large (mean weight = 566 g) and 780 fingerling (mean weight = 21 g) catfish. Fingerlings were stocked into cages or open ponds. At 120 days after stocking, fish in cages were released. After an additional 40 days, ponds were clean-harvested to remove large (>500 g) and small (<500 g) fish. In the second study, ponds (0.08-ha) were stocked with 750 large (mean weight = 46 g) and 750 small (mean weight = 20 g) fingerling catfish. Small fingerlings were stocked into cages or open ponds. At 60 days after stocking, fish in cages were released. Market-ready fish were selectively harvested at five and nine months after stocking. Results from the first study indicated that individual weight, weight gain, and yield of both size classes of fish raised in sequestered ponds were significantly greater (P< 0.05) than that of fish raised in open ponds. In addition, total weight gain and yield of fish in sequestered ponds was significantly greater (P< 0.05) than those in non-sequestered ponds. Results from the second study indicated that a significantly greater (P< 0.05) number of market-ready fish were harvested from sequestered ponds than from non-sequestered ponds. Mean yield of sequestered ponds was 31% greater than that of non-sequestered ponds; however, differences were not significant (P> 0.05). Amount of feed fed to fish raised in sequestered ponds was significantly greater (P< 0.05) than amount of feed fed to fish raised in non-sequestered ponds in both studies. It is unclear which factor or factors were responsible for the enhanced production of sequestered ponds; however, temporary sequestration may reduce agonistic behavior and competition for feed between fish size groups.     

Rearing of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and vundu catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis) in traditional fish ponds (whedos): Effect of stocking density on growth, production and body composition

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (initial body weight: 34.8 ± 4.8 g) and vundu catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis) (initial body weight: 39.1 ± 8.2 g) fingerlings were stocked at densities of 4, 6 or 8 fish m^− 3 in traditional fish ponds (whedos) constructed in the floodplain of the Oueme River (South Benin, West Africa), for 70 days from March to June 2005. Fish were fed twice a day with 34% crude protein feed formulated with locally available ingredients. The effects of stocking density were evaluated in growth responses, gross production and body composition. Water quality variables were similar (p > 0.05) in all compartments. Temperature and pH were at the optimum level for fish. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 0.9 to 1.2 mg l^− 1 during the experiment and secchi disc transparency was low (< 14 cm). In both species, growth responses increased with the increasing density, significantly in African catfish stocked at density of 8 fish m^− 3 compared to the other densities (4 and 6 fish m^− 3) but not significantly in vundu catfish. Production data ranged from 3.1 ± 0.5 to 22.8 ± 4.5 t ha^− 1 year^− 1 in African catfish and from 6.1 ± 1.2 to 15.1 ± 3.1 t ha^− 1 year^− 1 in vundu catfish. Production increased with increasing stocking densities but only significantly (p < 0.05) between the density of 8 fish m^− 3 and the other densities. In both species, carcass fat increased with increasing density (p < 0.05) while carcass protein and moisture decreased (p > 0.05). These results are important because they indicate that, as far as growth rate and production are concerned, African catfish is more profitable than vundu catfish for culture at high density in whedo.     

饲料磷含量对黄颡鱼生长和磷代谢的影响

【目的】探讨饲料磷含量对黄颡鱼生长和磷代谢的影响。【方法】以磷酸二氢钙为磷源,制备磷含量分别为0.28%,0.46%,0.67%,0.89%,1.13%,1.38%和1.57%的7种精制试验饲料,用其饲养黄颡鱼(体质量(8.75±0.72)g/尾)8周,试验结束后取样,测定生长、饲料利用、钙磷代谢、肌肉营养成分和脊椎骨钙磷沉积等指标。【结果】饲料磷含量为0.67%组的平均增重率和特定生长率与0.46%组差异不显著,但显著高于其他各组(P0.05);当饲料磷含量为0.67%和0.89%时,饲料效率和蛋白效率显著高于其他各组(P0.05);当饲料磷含量为0.67%时,饲料蛋白质生产率显著高于除0.89%组以外的其他各组(P0.05)。血清降钙素随着饲料磷含量的升高先升高后降低(P0.05),在1.13%组时达到最高,显著高于除0.89%和1.38%组外的其他各组(P0.05);血清甲状旁腺素含量随饲料磷含量的升高呈先下降后上升的趋势,在1.13%组时降到最低。肌肉粗脂肪含量随饲料磷含量的升高而显著降低,而肌肉粗灰分含量则随饲料磷含量的升高而显著升高,在磷含量为1.13%时,肌肉粗脂肪含量显著低于0.28%,0.46%和0.67%各组(P0.05)。在磷含量为0.89%时,肌肉粗灰分含量与除0.28%组外的其他各组差异不显著。脊椎骨磷含量随饲料磷含量的升高呈先升高后降低的趋势,当饲料磷含量为1.13%时,脊椎骨磷含量最大,与除0.28%,0.46%和0.89%各组外的其他各组差异不显著。脊椎骨钙含量随饲料磷含量的升高亦呈现先升高后降低的趋势,在饲料磷含量为0.89%时达到最大值,显著高于0.28%组(P0.05)。脊椎骨钙磷比在0.89%组达到最高,显著高于1.38%和1.57%组(P0.05)。【结论】在本试验条件下,黄颡鱼最适生长、饲料利用和磷代谢的适宜饲料有效磷含量为0.46%~1.13%。     

静水压休克法诱导三倍体鲶鱼（silurus asotus L）的研究

采用静水压休克法诱导三倍体鲶鱼。通过对受精时间、静水压力及持续施压处理时间三方面进行筛选试验的结果表明，鲶鱼卵受精4－5min，用600－649kg/cm^2的静水压力处理3min，可以获得100％的三倍体鲶鱼，而且胚胎存活率也较高，孵化率达对照组的90％以上，是静水压休克法诱导三倍体鲶鱼的最佳条件。三倍体鲶鱼的倍性用细胞遗传学方法验证。     

Cage‐pond integration of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with carps

Cage‐pond integration system is a new model for enhancing productivity of pond aquaculture system. A field trial was conducted using African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cages and carps in earthen ponds. There were four treatments replicated five times: (1) carps in ponds without cage, (2) tilapia at 30 fish m^?3 in cage and carps in open pond, (3) catfish at 100 fish m^?3 in cage and carps in open pond, (4) tilapia and catfish at 30 and 100 fish m^?3, respectively, in separate cages and carps in open pond. The carps were stocked at 1 fish m^?2. The cage occupied about 3% of the pond area. The caged tilapia and catfish were fed and the control ponds were fertilized. Results showed that the combined extrapolated net yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the catfish, tilapia and carps integration system (9.4 ± 1.6 t ha^?1 year^?1) than in the carp polyculture (3.3 ± 0.7 t ha^?1 year^?1). The net return from the tilapia and carps (6860 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) and catfish, tilapia and carps integration systems (6668 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) was significantly higher than in the carp polyculture (1709 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) (P < 0.05). This experiment demonstrated that the cage‐pond integration of African catfish and Nile tilapia with carps is the best technology to increase production; whereas integration of tilapia and carp for profitability.     

Quantifying the dietary biotin requirement of the catfish,Clarias batrachus

Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus, were fed semi-purified basaldiets containing 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 mg biotin kg^–1diet for 60 days. Fish fed the control diet (no biotin) showed(P < 0.05) higher mortality, lower weight gain, specificgrowth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiencyratio (PER) than in fish fed diets supplemented with biotin. The highestweight gain, SGR, FER and PER were noticed in fish fed 1 mg biotinkg^–1, followed by 0.5, 5, 3 and 0.1 mg biotinkg^–1, except for PER (followed by 0.5, 5, 0.1 and 3 mgbiotin kg^–1). Quadratic analysis showed that the optimumdietary biotin requirements for maximal weight gain, PER and PER were2.49, 2.54 and 2.52 mg kg^–1, respectively. Liver biotinconcentrations were influenced by levels of biotin in the diet.Concentration of liver biotin increased as level of dietarysupplementation increased and no biotin was detected in the liver of thecontrol fish. Liver pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl CoA carboxylaseactivities were higher in fish fed biotin-supplemented diets than incontrols. Biotin concentrations, pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl CoAcarboxylase activities in liver associated with normal growth rangedfrom 10.59 to 10.66 g g^–1, 147.97 to 148.18 units mgprotein^–1 and 12.76 to 12.78 units mg protein^–1, respectively. Biotin deficiency symptoms such as anorexia, darkskin colour and convulsions were observed in fish fed the control diet.The optimum dietary biotin requirement for maximal growth of C.batrachus is about 2.49 mg kg^–1 diet.     

Bioavailability of ascorbyl phosphate calcium in hybrid catfish,Clarias macrocephalus (Gunther) × Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) feed

A 10-week feeding experiment was performed in hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus (Gunther) × C. gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) with initial average weight of 1.17 g, in glass aquaria of 200-L capacity. The experiment comprised seven treatments with three replicates each. Ascorbyl phosphate calcium (APCa) was included at 30, 75, 150, 300 and 1000 mg kg⁻¹ feed and compared with one with ascorbyl polyphosphate (APP) at 36 mg kg⁻¹ feed and one without vitamin C supplementation. Fish fed APCa-supplemented feed showed better growth, feed conversion ratio, survival rate and protein utilization compared with those without such supplementation. Ascorbate concentrations in liver and head kidneys were correlated closely with dietary APCa levels. Vertebral collagen and hydroxyproline contents were significantly lower in the fish group without ascorbate supplementation. Red blood cell and white blood cell counts showed no correlation with vitamin C supplementation. Serum protein level was lowest in the group fed feed without vitamin C supplementation and this was lower than those fed feed with APCa and APP supplementation. The fish fed APCa- and APP-supplemented feed showed no difference in serum protein levels. External scorbutic symptoms and histopathological changes of gill tissue were noted in fish fed feed without APCa supplementation. The study indicates that 12.6 mg kg⁻¹ of ascorbic acid molar equivalent supplied as APCa (30 mg kg⁻¹) provided maximum growth and no gross signs as well as histological changes resulting from vitamin C deficiency.     

Digestibility of dietary components and amino acids in animal and plant protein feed ingredients in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fingerlings

The apparent digestibility (AD) of dietary components, energy and essential amino acids (EAA) of selected locally available animal and plant protein feed ingredients in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fingerlings was studied. The AD of the test ingredients (ADi) differed (P < 0.05) and ranged from 81.1% to 90.8%, for ADi_DM, from 84.0% to 95.0% for ADi_CP, from 78.4% to 86.9% for ADi_OM and from 79.0% to 87.8% for ADi_GE. The highest ADi_DM, ADi_CP and ADi_OM in the test ingredients were found for shrimp head meal, catfish by‐product meal, golden apple snail and groundnut cake, while the lowest values were obtained for earthworm meal and rice bran. The highest ADi_GE was found in rice bran, followed by golden apple snail and catfish by‐product meal, while there were no differences (P < 0.05) between the other test ingredients, except for earthworm meal. The AD of total and individual EAA was high in catfish by‐product meal and shrimp head meal, followed by decreasing AD in golden apple snail, groundnut cake, rice bran and earthworm meal ingredients (P < 0.05). The low AD of earthworm meal may limit its potential to be used as replacement for fish meal in the feed.