10/04/06 Idaho aquaculture

Aquaculture brings in millions of dollars to the Idaho economy. That industry is centered in the Magic Valley and accounts for 73 percent of the foodsize trout sales in the nation. National Ag Statistics says Idaho trout sales in 2005 were up two percent to more than 35 million dollars. That's just on trout sales and doesn't count any other fish that are commercially raised in the Magic Valley. Dave Kerestes of Ag Statistics says as the industry grew nationwide the demand for more information grew with it. KERESTES "We're going to do a census of aquaculture." This week NASS released their first survey on aquaculture since 1998. KERESTES "The aquaculture industry as a whole has grown 11.7 percent over the past seven years. US sales of aquaculture products grew from 978 million dollars in 1998 to over one billion dollars in 2005." The University of Idaho just opened a 3.2 million dollar biotechnology aquaculture laboratory at Hagerman. Not only do the 45 scientists, faculty and staff get involved in aquaculture research they bring in 3.5 million dollars a year in federal funds, grants and contracts. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott