Aquaculture, the business of farming water plants and animals, is fast becoming an important part of Maryland's agricultural economy. In 1988, when the first aquaculture laws were passed, most of Maryland's aquafarmed products were grown in fresh water ponds. Today, however, this trend is slowly changing to include intensive culture in recirculating tank systems. This new technology makes it possible to have farm-raised fish available throughout the entire year.
In 1996, Maryland aquafarmers grew nearly 237,000 pounds of striped bass (rockfish), 78,000 pounds of catfish, 1,000,000 pounds of tilapia (a mild-flavored finfish), and several million ornamental fish and aquatic plants. Right now, Maryland has more than 150 aquafarms which produce a many kinds of finfish, shellfish and plants.
You can find out where in Maryland most aquaculture is done by checking the chart below.
| Catfish |
Charles & Harford Counties |
| Hybrid Striped Bass |
Caroline, Queen Anne's & Somerset Counties |
| Tilapia |
Caroline, Harford & Worcester Counties |
| Trout |
Frederick & Harford Counties |
| Ornamental Fish |
Frederick & Montgomery Counties |
| Aquatic Plants |
Frederick & Harford Counties |
| Oysters |
Anne Arundel, Queen Anne's & St. Mary's Counties |
| Crawfish |
Dorchester & Worcester Counties |