The Southern Farm Tilapia operation includes an extensive tank system. Other facilities include a hatchery and processing plant. 



FISH FARMING: 



Aquaculture Offers Diversity 



By Katie Mosher 



as eastern north carolina farmers look to diversify their 

 operations, aquaculture opportunities continue to draw attention. 



Just ask Hunter Clark of Vanguard Farms. Although his family 

 traditionally had raised hogs, he started farming fish with a hybrid 

 striped bass operation a few years back. 



After two successful years, he doubled the aquaculture acreage and 

 expanded into yellow perch. clark also added an ice machine and tanks 

 to grade and hold fish for live sales that draw premium prices. 



"The face of North Carolina agriculture 

 is changing," says Tom Ellis, who heads the 

 aquaculture efforts in the N.C Department of 

 Agriculture and Consumer Services. 



'The tobacco program is changing 

 annually, and we've seen historically low 

 prices for com, soybeans and small grains. 

 Some of these farmers — and others involved 

 in livestock and poultry — are looking to 

 diversify to establish a stronger economic 

 base," Ellis adds. 



At the same time, a combined effort — 

 research by Sea Grant scientists, demonstra- 

 tions by the N.C. Cooperative Extension 

 Service and marketing efforts by state 

 agriculture officials — has expanded the 

 state's aquaculture operation with new species 

 and new technology. 



Continued 



COASTWATCH 17 



