• Unpaid workers 
Deleted State-level tables: 
• Aquaculture produced and distributed (2013 has 
trout only) 
• Baitfish production pounds and averages data 
• Crustacean production data 
• Food fish by size (2013 has only catfish and 
trout) 
• Mollusk production data 
• Percent of sales by point of first sale 
• Sportfish production by size 
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS 
The following definitions and explanations provide a 
detailed description of the terms used in this 
publication. Items in the tables which carry the note 
"See text" are also explained. For exact wording of 
the questions on the 2013 Census of Aquaculture 
report form, see the the facsimile of the form at the 
end of this appendix. 
Algae. These are a very large and diverse group of 
simple organisms that can range from the 
microscopic (microalgae), to large seaweeds 
(macroalgae), such as giant kelp more than 100 feet 
in length. Microalgae include both organisms similar 
to bacteria called blue green algae, as well as green, 
brown, and red algae. Most algae grow through 
photosynthesis. 
Aquaponics. A system of aquaculture in which the 
waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic 
animals supplies nutrients for plants grown 
hydroponically (cultivating plants in water), which in 
turn purify the water. 
Baitfish. These are fish used for bait, such as 
crawfish for bait, fathead minnows, golden shiners, 
emerald or silver shiners, feeder and bait goldfish, 
and suckers. Examples of fish in the Other baitfish 
category include chubs, leeches, and other types of 
minnows. 
Broodstock. These are fish or other stock kept for 
reproduction, including males. Female broodfish 
produce the fertilized eggs which go to hatcheries. 
Cages. Cage culture involves growing a culture 
B-2 APPENDIX B 
species in floating cages or baskets. Cages are 
normally used in larger, open bodies of water, such 
as lakes or rivers. The sides of the cages are rigid 
and are made of materials like plastic or plastic 
covered wire. 
Carp, other. Included in this category are bighead, 
black, common, and silver carp. 
Crustaceans. These are invertebrate animals with a 
hard shelled segmented body and jointed legs. 
Examples include crawfish, lobsters, prawns, shrimp, 
and softshell crabs. 
Direct to consumers. Included in this category are 
sales made directly to individuals for home 
consumption or placement in their ponds for 
personal use. Also included are operations that raise 
and market fish through their own fee fishing 
operation. Sales made to fee fishing operations are 
included under “Wholesale to other producers.” 
Eggs. These are embryos surrounded by nutrient 
material and a protective covering. 
Enhancement. A term often used on the West Coast 
with salmon. State and tribal hatcheries are releasing 
young salmon into known population areas to be 
harvested later upon the salmon’s return from the 
sea. 
Fingerlings. These are young fish, larger than a fry 
but not an adult. 
Flow through raceways. Environment where fish 
are in a confined area, usually long and narrow, in 
which water enters one end and exits the other. 
Raceways can either be a natural flow system, using 
the natural flow of a river or stream, or a closed 
system where the water from the raceway flows 
through a series of ponds and then is pumped into a 
header pond that flows back into the raceway. The 
water area for a closed system is the surface acres of 
a raceway and all associated ponds. The area for a 
natural flow system is the surface acres that the 
raceway occupies. 
Food fish. Includes fish raised primarily for food. 
Examples include hybrid striped bass, carp, catfish, 
yellow perch, red drum, salmon, sturgeon, tilapia, 
and trout. Examples of fish in the ‘Other’ food fish 
2012 Census of Agriculture 
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service 
