Introduction 
The 2013 Census of Aquaeulture expanded the 
aquaeulture data eolleeted from the 2012 Census of 
Agrieulture and provides a eurrent and 
eomprehensive pieture of the aquaeulture seetor at 
the state and national level. The aquaeulture eensus 
eolleets detailed information relating to produetion 
methods, surface water acres and sources, 
production, sales, point of first sale outlets, and 
aquaculture distributed for restoration, conservation, 
enhancement, or recreational purposes. 
HISTORY 
The 2013 Census of Aquaculture is the third national 
census conducted by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS), to collect data about the industry. 
The first aquaculture census was conducted in 1998, 
in response to the intense need for an accurate 
measure of the aquaculture sector. The second 
aquaculture census was conducted in 2005. The 
census of agriculture has collected limited 
aquaculture data since 1974. NASS also publishes 
semi-annual catfish production, and annual trout 
surveys. 
USES OF CENSUS OF AQUACULTURE 
DATA 
The census of aquaculture data are used by all those 
involved in the aquaculture sector - Federal, State 
and local governments, agribusinesses, trade 
associations, producers, and many others. Uses of 
the data include: 
• Legislators use census data to shape policies and 
programs, and to evaluate and determine 
government funding and resources. 
• Aquaculture businesses and suppliers use the 
data to determine the locations of facilities that 
will serve producers and plan for the production 
and marketing of new products. 
• Extension and university representatives use the 
data to determine research needs and to justify 
research funding for programs to develop new 
and improved methods of aquaculture production 
and profitability. 
• Growers use census data to make informed 
decisions for their operations. 
• Evaluating historical agricultural trends to 
formulate farm and rural policies and develop 
programs that help agricultural producers. 
• Allocating local and national funds for farm 
programs, e.g. extension service projects, 
agricultural research, soil conservation programs, 
and land-grant colleges and universities. 
• Identifying the assets needed to support 
agricultural production such as land, buildings, 
machinery, and other equipment. 
• Creating an extensive database of information on 
uncommon crops and livestock and the value of 
those commodities for assessing the need to 
develop policies and programs to support those 
commodities. 
• Providing geographic data on production so 
agribusinesses will locate near major production 
areas for efficiencies for both producers and 
agribusinesses. 
• Measuring the usage of modern technologies 
such as conservation practices, organic 
production, renewable energy systems, internet 
access, and specialized marketing strategies. 
2012 Census of Agriculture INTRODUCTION V 
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service 
