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About Our Center
Welcome to the Aquaculture/Fisheries (AQFI) Center at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). The Center of Excellence was created in 1988 to combine resident instruction, research, and extension responsibilities into one comprehensive unit. Our faculty, staff and students work together, across disciplines and functions to offer research-based scientific solutions to make a difference in Arkansas and throughout the U.S.
The AQFI Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is recognized as a leader in aquaculture/fisheries teaching, research and extension programs. It is the only comprehensive aquaculture program within the University of Arkansas System to support the state's $61 million aquaculture industry. We have a vibrant natural fisheries component that provides scientific support to the recreational fishing industry that has an economic impact of over $740 million/yr in Arkansas.
The Center currently has a total of 33 faculty, extension specialists, and staff, including 9 Ph.D. scientists and 6 M.S. scientists. The aquaculture industry in Arkansas and natural resource agencies support UAPB with in-kind contributions and through participation in workshops and conferences.
Teaching
We teach classes for undergraduate students majoring in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences (B.S.), which includes four academic concentrations: General, Aquaculture, Fisheries Science, and Aquaculture and Seafood Business. We teach graduate students pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Aquaculture/Fisheries. Our emphasis is on hands-on, innovative teaching methods designed to prepare students for exciting careers in aquaculture and natural resources-related fields. Through partial support from Title III, faculty and students have also participated in professional enrichment activities designed to enhance their preparedness for graduate school.
Research
We have a wide-ranging research program in aquaculture and natural fisheries conducted by faculty engaged with aquaculture and natural resource stakeholders to solve real-world problems. Our aquaculture research involves studies in small experimental and large commercial earthen ponds, and laboratory aquaria, larger tanks, and mesocosms. Natural fisheries research spans the entire spectrum of the state’s waters from small streams and lakes to large reservoirs, and rivers.
Extension
We provide comprehensive extension programs and services to Arkansas and other states to transfer newly-developed techniques and research information into real-world practice. These include diagnostics services to identify fish diseases and water quality problems and, more importantly, to recommend treatments. We organize educational meetings, farm demonstrations, and field days. We also publish fact sheets on important issues and respond as quickly as we can to calls for assistance from county agents, fish farmers, farm pond owners, and natural resource managers. The UAPB Fish Health Certification laboratory located in Lonoke, Arkansas is approved by USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct diagnostic testing in support of export health certification of aquaculture species.