Flood's Impact on the U.S. Catfish Industry Still Unknown

Catfish Ponds with Aeration Devices

Throughout the Mississippi River Delta areas of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, the mighty river’s levels have crested – and begun to fall – but it’s still too early to determine the extent of the flood’s impact on the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry.

Initial reports indicate that damage to ponds and equipment did occur in some areas, but we will not know the full impact until the waters recede sometime in mid- to late-June.

Thanks to detailed forecasting by our university research and extension agents and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, our farmers were able to plan ahead and, in some circumstances, take additional measures to protect their catfish crop and property.  In farms located in lower-elevations or along tributary river systems, many farmers fortified existing pond levees and built new levees to protect buildings and equipment.  Some farmers even transferred fish into less vulnerable ponds to avoid any possibilities of a loss of fish.  

The U.S. Catfish Industry remains strong in the wake of this Spring’s record flood levels. Due to the industry’s geographic diversity – catfish farms are located throughout the Southern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana – catfish lovers can rest assured that the our supply chain remains intact.