North Central Regional Aquaculture Center

The Status and Concerns of Aquaculture Effluents in the North Central Region

The U.S. government has acknowledged that a healthy aquaculture development is in the best interest of the nation, and modest research and extension dollars have been channeled through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to five Regional Aquaculture Centers.

Since 1989 the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC), encompassing twelve states, has funded a variety of major projects in extension, improved culture technology of a number of species (e.g., yellow perch, hybrid striped bass, walleye, etc.), economics and marketing, wastes/effluents, and several drug-related projects.

At their 1998 annual meeting the Board decided that a series of white papers should be developed, addressing the most urgent areas for research and extension activities.  Each white paper is to identify the current status, the critical factors limiting sustainable development, and recommendations as to the research and extension agenda that should be considered in future work plans.  During 1999-2000, eight “species” white papers and this one,  The Status and Concerns of Aquaculture Effluents in the North Central Region, on effluents and the environment were completed