KSU Aquaculture Research Center

06/02/2026

We are excited to share a major milestone from our School of Agriculture and Aquaculture Science here at Kentucky State University! Meet Kazi Rakib Uddin, a Graduate Research Assistant whose thesis work could change the way we approach sustainable fish farming.

Rakib research focuses on the Olive Flounder (also known as the Japanese Flounder)—a highly valuable marine species native to East Asian waters, including Japan and South Korea.

What is the goal?
The biggest hurdle in farming marine species inland is the cost of salt. Rakib is testing different salt formulations (commercial vs. homemade mixtures) at varying salinity levels (15 PPT and 30 PPT). The ultimate goal? To significantly reduce production costs for farmers without affecting the fish's growth, health, or tissue structure.

What’s happening in this video?
Arrival: The baby flounder just arrived safely from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science!

Acclimation: The team is carefully acclimating them to their new water conditions.

The Setup: Check out the specialized chiller, foam fractionator, and bio-filters used to maintain pristine water quality.

Next Steps: The fish will spend about a month in the raceway until they reach the perfect size to begin a 90-day trial in the aquariums.

We are just getting started, but we are hoping for some incredible results! Stay tuned for more updates on this project.

05/28/2026

While we welcome today’s clear skies, we are incredibly grateful for the recent rainfall. Much like the rest of the Southeast, our region has been facing a stubborn drought—but Mother Nature just delivered in a big way with over 6 inches of rain this past week. 🌧️🙏

At Kentucky State University Aquatic Research Center, water isn't just a weather forecast; it is the absolute lifeblood of everything we do. From our outdoor research ponds to our indoor hatchery and recirculation systems, high-quality water is the foundation of our aquatic research, species conservation efforts, and production trials.

Needless to say, our ponds (and our team!) are incredibly happy and refreshed after this much-needed soak.

Here's to full ponds, healthy fish, and a beautiful, sunny days ahead! 📈💦

05/27/2026

🐟 New Tech in Wildlife & Fisheries Management! 🐟

We were thrilled to host Dr. Przemek Bajer, founder of Carp Solutions and researcher from the University of Minnesota, for an insightful seminar on the latest innovations in invasive fish management!

Dr. Bajer walked us through two fascinating, low-maintenance technologies his team is using to manage invasive common carp:
1️⃣ Low-Voltage Electric Guidance Systems: A mild, seasonal "fish fence" that blocks spawning runs and safely guides carp onto conveyor systems for automatic removal without harming native species.
2️⃣ Automated Baited Box Nets: Leveraging the social feeding behaviors of carp by training them to aggregate around bait, allowing for highly selective, large-scale removal.

What does this mean for Kentucky?
Our own faculty and students are collaborating on a feasibility stage study right now to see how these low-voltage systems could potentially adapt to the massive water-level shifts on the Salt River to help manage invasive silver carp. Even more exciting? Dr. Bajer highlighted how these automated netting systems could completely change the game for selective harvesting and crowded fish management in private southern farm ponds!

At Kentucky State University School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, we love bringing cutting-edge, practical science directly to our classrooms, our state, and the aquaculture industry.

📺 Check out the full seminar to see these incredible technologies, underwater footage, and drone shots of the systems in action: https://youtu.be/ouBDZgKn8oo

Can modern technology save North American waterways from invasive c...

05/22/2026

🦐 Did you miss out on the 2026 KSU Shrimp Farming Symposium last month, or are you just looking for a quick refresher on some of the groundbreaking presentations?

AquaHoy just published an excellent, comprehensive recap of this year’s international event! From our pioneering research transitioning from biofloc to "clear water" systems, to cutting-edge discussions on oral RNA vaccines, AI automated monitoring, and sustainable nutrition—this article covers all the key takeaways shaping the future of indoor and inland shrimp farming.

Whether you are a seasoned producer or an aspiring indoor farmer, this is a must-read resource to catch up on what the top experts, researchers, and producers discussed right here in Frankfort, Kentucky.

📖 Read the full recap and check out the insights here:
https://aquahoy.com/shrimp-farming-is-indoors-key-2026-ksu-symposium/

💡 Want to learn more? If you are interested in diving deeper into inland shrimp farming, looking for practical technical support, or want to explore our world-class educational and research programs, the KSU School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science is here to help! ✉️[email protected]

Where is Indoor Shrimp Farming Headed? An Analysis of the 2026 Symposium: Biosecurity, RNA Therapies, Genetics, and Local Direct Sales Strategies.

05/22/2026

Ever been curious in how we produce our Largemouth Bass (LMB) for future research projects? Then check out this reel!

Achieving consistent, high-yield results in a commercial hatchery environment takes precise science, strict management, and a lot of hard work—and this year, the team at the Kentucky State University School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science (KSU SAAS) absolutely knocked it out of the park!

We are thrilled to announce a record-breaking year with an unprecedented volume of eggs collected and successfully hatched into healthy, robust fry.

Why does this matter? Commercial success in aquaculture starts from the ground up. Optimizing broodstock spawning protocols directly translates to more efficient yields for producers. The incredible success of this season’s hatch means these fry are perfectly primed to advance future KSU LMB research—paving the way for better genetics, improved feed efficiency, and more resilient commercial management practices that will benefit the whole industry.

Check out this glimpse into our Aquaculture Research Center to see the incredible work our researchers and students are putting in to drive the industry forward.

👇 Drop your aquaculture questions in the comments below!

📧 Whether you are an established producer or looking to get started in largemouth bass farming, reach out to us at [email protected] for more information!

05/20/2026

🎓 Huge congratulations to our Kentucky State University School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science (SAAS) graduate students who walked the stage and officially earned their Master’s degrees last week! 🏆🎉

Your long hours in the labs, out at the research ponds, and writing those theses have officially paid off. We are incredibly proud of your dedication, your late-night water quality checks, and the vital research you've contributed to the field. You are the next generation of aquatic scientists, and we can't wait to see the impact you'll make! 🟢🟡

Did you know? KSU SAAS is widely recognized as one of the premier aquaculture and aquatic science schools in the entire nation, known for world-class research in everything from indoor shrimp farming to paddlefish propagation.

🐟 BIG NEWS FOR FUTURE THOROBREDS! 🐟
Expanding on our legacy as a national leader, SAAS is thrilled to announce that we are now offering a brand new Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Science undergraduate degree! If you want a hands-on career in food security, fisheries, or environmental stewardship right here at our top-tier facilities, the door is open.

📧 Want to learn more about our new undergraduate program or our master's degrees? Reach out to us directly at [email protected]!

05/20/2026

We are thrilled to announce that the full lineup of presentations from the 2026 Shrimp Farming Symposium is now available to stream on the KSU Aquaculture Research Center (ARC) YouTube channel! 🦐✨

Whether you missed a session or want to revisit the data, you can now access a massive library of industry expertise completely for free. This year’s symposium brought together global experts, KSU SAAS faculty, and innovative graduate students to cover the entire spectrum of inland aquaculture.

From deep technical dives into biofloc systems, clear water RAS engineering, and global SPF health programs, to practical strategies for mid-size farm management, alternative aquafeeds, and navigating US processing and marketing—this playlist is a goldmine for producers, researchers, and students alike.

📺 Subscribe and watch the full playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCz3mE2SnHldMriGTVY_YPw

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05/15/2026

Interesting presentation today at ARC! Great ideas on how to manage invasive common carp in the US.

Thanks to Dr. Bajer for his work on tackling this problem and sharing his work to us!

More information on how to manage carp can be found in the comments section.

05/12/2026

🌊🎣 Join Us for an Exciting Presentation on Fish Management! 🎣🌊

Kentucky State University’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources invites you to learn about cutting-edge solutions for managing fish populations in rivers, lakes, and ponds!

🧠 Topic: New Technologies for River and Pond Fish Management
🎤 Speaker: Dr. Przemek Bajer (University of Minnesota & Carp Solutions LLC)

Discover innovative approaches including:
✅ Low-voltage electric systems to block invasive carp migrations
✅ Submerged conveyor systems for hands-free fish removal
✅ Automated, remotely controlled fish traps for efficient harvesting

📅 Date: Friday, May 15
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Aquatic Research Center
103 Athletic Drive, Frankfort, KY
💻 Zoom option available!
📧 For more information, contact: [email protected]

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the future of aquatic resource management! 🌱🐟

05/12/2026

🌟 Huge Congratulations to Ifeoluwa Durowaiye! 🌟

We’re thrilled to celebrate Ife on being named the 2026 Outstanding Graduate Student in the School of Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences at Kentucky State University! 🐟🐎

This well-deserved recognition highlights her academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to the field. Ife continues to make waves with her passion for aquatic science and her commitment to excellence! 💧🔥

We are incredibly proud of you, Ife—thank you for representing our school so well. The future is bright! 🙌💙