Paddlefish have become of increasing interest to the aquaculture community in recent years, particularly as a potential new source of seafood and caviar. Native to North America, paddlefish show great promise both domestically and internationally as a commercially viable farmed species. Paddlefish Aquaculture examines all aspects of the biology and culture of these fish, exploring their physiology, production, end products and the economics underlying a successful paddlefish operation. Chapters specifically cover paddlefish biology, propagation and early culture techniques, production for meat and caviar, international culture and history, paddlefish food products, bioaccumulants of contaminants in paddlefish, parasites and diseases, and the economics of paddlefish aquaculture. Paddlefish Aquaculture is a timely practical reference for researchers and producers interested in paddlefish.

Paddlefish have become of increasing interest to the aquaculture community in recent years, particularly as a potential new source of seafood and caviar. Native to North America, paddlefish show great promise both domestically and internationally as a commercially viable farmed species. Paddlefish Aquaculture examines all aspects of the biology and culture of these fish, exploring their physiology, production, end products and the economics underlying a successful paddlefish operation. Chapters specifically cover paddlefish biology, propagation and early culture techniques, production for meat and caviar, international culture and history, paddlefish food products, bioaccumulants of contaminants in paddlefish, parasites and diseases, and the economics of paddlefish aquaculture. Paddlefish Aquaculture is a timely practical reference for researchers and producers interested in paddlefish.

Modern North American sturgeons and paddlefish are the result of 100 million years of evolution. Once an integral part of aboriginal culture, their numbers were decimated by overfishing and habitat destruction during the past two centuries. This book details the extensive science aimed at helping these remarkable species recover from the brink of extinction, and describes the historical, biological, and ecological importance of North American sturgeon and paddlefish. The text is enhanced by photographs and detailed line drawings. This comprehensive volume will be an invaluable resource for researchers, educators, and consultants, in academic and government settings, who work to further scientific understanding of these fishes. No other single compilation has documented current information in such detail.

Although some nations, such as Japan, have invested in aquaculture research and developed major aquaculture industries, the opportunities for similar devel opment in the United States remain largely unnoticed. In a typical recent year the United States, which claims 20% of the world's marine fisheries resources, imported seafood worth $4. 8 billion and exported $l. 3 billion. In addition to the $3. 5 billion deficit in food-fish, was another $2. 7 billion deficit for nonedible fishery products. Next to oil, fishery products constituted the second highest drain on the United States balance of payments and accounts for a significant portion of the foreign trade deficit. Furthermore, fish consumption has been increasing in North America. In response to the demand for fishery products, aquaculture managers not only have the opportunity to realize economic profit, but in doing so can make an important contribution to reducing the national debt, providing employment, and enhancing our diet. This book might be considered a farm management text for those in aquaculture. It is intended to provide an introduction to aquaculture principles and an introduction to management, including business and people management, microeconomics, and the concepts of efficiency and productivity. I hope it will bridge the gap between conservationists, the academic community, and commer cial culturists. Abundant references should enable the reader to quickly access literature on most topics germane to the management of culture systems.