Catfish: Channel

Farmed catfish, US farmed catfish

N/A

The channel catfish is indigenous to the southeast United States, ranging from the Gulf States through the Mississippi Valley, North to Canada and South to Mexico. Today, Channel catfish are raised almost exclusively in thirteen states of the US, with the majority of catfish raised in Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana. Aquaculture facilities are most often situated on old agricultural land in shallow ponds. These ponds require infrequent draining and when draining occurs, management practices are in place to control environmental impacts. Catfish production has a low risk of fish escapes or disease transfer to wild stocks because ponds are contained. Very little information exists on the population structure of the native, wild catfish stock so it is difficult to quantify the effects of escaped fish on wild populations. Management exists for catfish production, but is scattered among local, state, and federal agencies. Although local regulations are generally considered effective, there is an ongoing need to create a more comprehensive management regime at the national level.

Use of marine resources in farming channel catfish is generally low. Catfish are fed pellets which are primarily comprised of plant matter. Fishmeal and fish oil inclusion in these pellets is typically around 4%, and are commonly derived from species that are not considered overfished.

The frequency and magnitude of escapes from facilities has been low due to the use of closed system culture, however, wild populations were once considered genetically distinct regionally, so any potential for escape could be a conservation concern.

The closed, land-based systems generally used for catfish farming pose very little risk for disease or parasites to wild stocks; and there is no evidence that this has occurred.

Pond management strategies such as infrequent drainage, low effluent nutrient loads, and antibiotics effectively reduce the risk of environmental damage. Situating catfish farms on old agricultural land has further minimises the potential for damage from effluent drainage.

Permitting for farms varies state by state, with most attention focused on processing. Considering the effectiveness, of better management practices and the existence of relatively strong regulations, catfish management is considered highly effective, despite concerns of high levels of predatory bird mortality on some catfish farms.

Is the farmed catfish imported from the U.S. or Asia?

Catfish farmed in the US is the best choice.

No health advisory at this time

No.