iciii lias 11^ vv
The Agriculturist-April 13, 1982-Page 3
Aquaculture possible,
profitable in Texas
By KITTY FRALEY
Aquaculture is underwater
agriculture, and it is becoming
increasingly important in Texas.
“Aquaculture would provide
a productive and environmen
tally sound use for underde
veloped coastal and inland
areas,” said Dr. Jim Davis,
fisheries specialist in the wildlife
and Fisheries sciences depart
ment at Texas A&M University.
Texas contains 2.9 million
acres of fresh water, 1.5 million
acres of bays and estuaries and
1.1 million acres of marshlands
and tidal pools.
“With the entire state provid
ing the optimum temperature
for warm water species (77 F or
25 C) and portions of the state
receiving more than 40 inches of
rain a year, parts of Texas are
perfect for aquaculture,” Davis
said.
“So far, the best areas we have
found in Texas for aquaculture
have been the upper Gulf Coast
and'parts of east Texas, especial
ly around Orange,” Davis ex
plained.
The most important thing in
aquaculture is the water condi
tion, he said.
“Where the water comes
from is extremely important in
aquaculture,” Davis said, “the
farmer must know how to treat
the water so that it can be used to
grow fish.”
Davis said catfish and craw
fish could be utilized commer
cially in Texas.
“Both fish are often over
looked but are viable indus
tries,” he said, “but we need to
develop the kind of thinking
that is necessary to use these in
our diet.”
Of course, a person who
wants to become involved in
aquaculture must get a permit.
“Environmental impacts of
aquaculture are regulated by a
number of federal, state and loc
al government agencies,” Davis
said, “and regulation deals with
water quality, use of chemicals,
water quantity, land use, fish
and wildlife and public health.”
Davis and other fish farmers
felt that aquaculture had no
coordination between the diffe
rent agencies and started work
ing on an aquaculture plan in
January 1980.
The plan was sent to the gov
ernor’s office in January 1981,
and in turn sent to the Texas
Energy and Natural Resources
Council for approval.
Grad’s dream comes true
By KELLI PROCTOR
A 1980 agricultural journal
ism graduate of Texas A&M
University has made a name for
herself, and has had a career
dream come true as the new
managing editor of the Brangus
Journal. ^
When she graduated from
the University in May 1980,
Martha Hollida began working
as assistant editor of the journal,
which is the official publication
of the International Brangus
Breeders -Association. In
November 1981, she was prom
oted to acting managing editor,
which she described as a chance
to prove herself for the editor’s
position. Then on February 21,
she became the new managing
editor.
Hollida said she had been
offered other jobs before gra
duation, but the job at the Bran
gus association was the one she
had wanted for a long time.
Reared in Missouri around a
commercial cattle operation,
Hollida was determined to have
a cattle-related job.
After hearing about the job,
Hollida said, she immediately
sent in a resume and files and
then called to apply.
She had already met Karen
Cowanbremer, the previous edi
tor, while working in the press
room at the Houston Livestock
Show.
Hollida said working at the
show gave her opportunities to
meet editors and other impor
tant people.
As editor, Hollida covers sales
and shows, writes feature stor
ies, takes pictures and travels ex
tensively, all of which she did
when she was assistant editor.
But now she is also responsible
for financial business, planning,
and managing the staff.
The journal's staff is small,
with only five full-time people,
but they manage to maintain
quality, Hollida said.
The journal is published
monthly with a circulation of ab
out 3,200, she said.
As for the future, Hollida
wants to concentrate on main
taining the magazine’s quality.
Last year, the journal won the
livestock publishing council’s
award for the outstanding
magazine under 100 pages.
In college, Hollida was active
in many clubs, including the Na
tional Agri-Marketing Associa
tion, the Saddle and Sirloin Club
and Agricultural Communica
tors of Tommorrow.
Photo by Kitty Fraley
This ten-acre lake is used in the aquaculture research
program sponsored by Texas A&M University. It is lo
cated off FM 60 on the way to Lake Somerville.
Wildlife Biology Society
Wild Game Bar-B-Que
April 24, 5 p.m.
Tabor Road Community Center
Tickets on Sale April 12
$4.50 each
!
Open to all
horse
enthusiastic
Aggies
Meetings
2nd & 4th Tuesdays
7:00 p.m. 115 Kleberg
f!