limited to those states that are dimaticaiiy 

 suitable. In other areas, tilapia production 

 takes place indoors through tank systems. By 

 expanding the use of indoor systems, tilapia 

 production could expand in areas closer to 

 major markets. An advantage to U.S. grow- 

 ers would be the provision of fresh and live 

 tilapia in contrast to frozen imports. 



Trout . The 1992 USDA annual survey of 461 

 trout operations over a one-year period (Sep- 

 tember 1, 1991-August 31, 1992) showed 

 sales at $67.0 million, down 4 percent from 

 199 1. Idaho is the largest producer, with sales 

 in 1992 at $28.5 million. Production in this 

 State is expected to continue at a steady pace 

 with fairly stable prices for food-size fish. 



Pennsylvania's growers had the second high- 

 est sales with $6.4 million, up 54 percent from 

 the previous year. Sales in Washington, 

 North Carolina, and California all totaled be- 

 tween $5.3 and $5.9. Future expansion of the 

 trout industry outside of Idaho is dependent 

 upon the availability of adequate water sup- 

 plies. 



Outlook for the United States 



The importance of aquaculture has increased 

 dramatically in the United States. This can 

 be seen by the four-fold increase in aquacul- 

 ture production from 1980-1990, the creation 

 of nearly 300,000 jobs in 1991, and the 20 

 percent increase in per capita consimiption of 

 fish and shellfish in the 1980's to 15 pounds 

 today. Domestic aquaculture provides op- 

 portunity for alternative agriculture, helps re- 

 duce the trade deficit, and helps satisfy the 

 continued demand for seafood. The U.S. De- 



partment of Commerce estimated that by the 

 year 2000, an additional one billion pounds of 

 seafood would be required to satisfy demand. 

 The trend for production of edible and non- 

 edible products is growing fast and expected 

 to continue in the future. Changing consum- 

 er preferences for seafood products and the 

 prices of farm-raised products relative to 

 wild-caught products may be major factors in 

 the future growth of aquaculture. 



There is significant potential for marine 

 aquaculture in the United States. In 1990, 

 culture of marine species accounted for ap- 

 proximately 20 percent of the U.S. aquacul- 

 ture production and value. The Departments 

 of Agriculture, Commerce, and Interior, and 

 the National Science Foundation continue to 

 annually support research and development, 

 education, information, and conservation 

 programs in marine aquaculture. According 

 to the Federal Coordinating Council on Sci- 

 ence, Engineering, and Technology (Febru- 

 ary 1992), there is a significant U.S. market 

 for extracts derived from marine algae, such 

 agar, algenic acid, or carrageenan. 



Growth of the domestic aquaculture industry 

 in the 1990's will be affected by a variety of 

 issues including: 1) public perception of sea- 

 food safety; 2) changing industry structure for 

 production and marketing; 3) emergence of 

 new aquaculture species in the United States 

 and abroad; and 4) increasing competition 

 from foreign producers and domestic com- 

 petitors. 



With continued emphasis on quality assur- 

 ance, good marketing practices, education 

 and information programs, aquaculture man- 

 agement, land availability, high-quality wa- 

 ter, new production technologies, and genetic 

 improvement, the future of aquaculture in 

 the U.S. looks bright! 



