Overview of Aquaculture in the United States

Aquaculture in the United States is a diverse industry which includes production of a variety of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and plants. Total estimated U.S. aquaculture production in 1992 was 313,518 metric tons with production income totaling $724 million. Thus, in terms of economic importance, the aquaculture industry is comparable in value to the sheep industry and equivalent to either 18 percent of the swine industry or 30 percent of the turkey industry. Also, an infrastructure of producers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers exists that is similar to that found in traditional livestock. A system of providers exists, which numbered over 2,000 in 1994, that supplies feeds, vaccines, fish diagnostics, medications, growth hormones, and physical equipment (pumps, feeders, processing machines). The objective of this report is to investigate diversity within the industry by providing an overview of the types of aquatic animals being cultured in the U.S., trends in the size and geographic distribution of specific components of the industry, existing Federal and State regulations, and Veterinary Services’ current role in aquaculture.