PROCAMBARID CRAYFISH AQUACULTURE IN THE SOUTHERN USA

Procambarid crayfishes are cultivated by over 1,500 growers, who in 2017 produced 58,000 MT on 90,000 hectares of earthen ponds located in states bordering the northern Gulf of Mexico and the south-central Atlantic coast, with virtually all produced in the state of Louisiana.  Annual economic impact of procambarid crayfish aquaculture in Louisiana alone approaches $274 million USD.  The "red swamp crawfish" Procambarus clarkii and the "white river crawfish" P. zonangulus, are the species cultivated, with P. clarkii dominating production.  

Procambarid crayfish aquaculture uses extensive production technologies.  Formulated feeds are not used nor are hatcheries employed to produce juveniles. Ponds, that commonly range from 10 to 20 surface hectares are initially stocked with adults in late spring/early summer and drained in mid-summer to coincide with burrowing and reproduction within burrows. Vegetation (most commonly a late planted rice crop) is established as forage for crayfish in the dry ponds in summer, and ponds are re-filled in September and October. Crayfish are harvested with baited traps as early as November, although peak catch is from March through June.  Procambarid crayfish aquaculture includes monocropping (crayfish only) and rotational systems in which crayfish and rice crops are rotated. In the early 1980's monocropping systems dominated but nearly 70% of crayfish aquaculture areas are currently integrated with rice production.    

Positive attributes of the procambarid crayfish aquaculture industry include expanding and robust markets, good profitability for producers, and environmental sustainability. Limitations include seasonality of live production, potential labor shortages in the processing industry, imports of processed procambarid crayfish from China, and escalating costs of production.  In the past three years, the prevalence of White Spot Syndrome Virus appears to be increasing, causing concern for some industry observers.