National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)

Field Station Leader: Dr. Fred.L.Cunningham,
(Fred.L.Cunningham@aphis.usda.gov)
Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist

USDA/APHIS/WS
National Wildlife Research Center
Mississippi Field Station
P.O. Box 6099
Mississippi State University, MS 39762-6099
662-325-8215
662-325-8704 fax

Aquaculture has grown tremendously over the last 25 years, especially the production of catfish in the delta region of Mississippi. With the growth in aquaculture has come a corresponding increase in predation by fish-eating birds on aquaculture stocks. To address these bird problems the National Wildlife Research Center of the USDA's Animal Damage Control Program, under a Congressional directive, established a research station at Mississippi State University in 1988.

Biologists at the NWRC Mississippi field station conduct studies with both captive and free-ranging birds to determine the extent of fish-eating bird damage; the local and regional population status of fish-eating birds; and effective control methods.

The goal of Mississippi field station research is not centered on the development of a single method as a panacea for all damage problems, because none is likely to be cost-effective in all situations. Instead, the continuing emphasis is on developing a number of alternative strategies that can be integrated into a comprehensive management plan for cost-effective reductions in fish-eating bird damage to aquaculture.

Defining Economic Impacts and Developing Strategies for Reducing Avian Predation in Aquaculture Systems*

* The official "Research Project" that describes the primary focus of research performed at this NWRC field station. The Project Web pages, in turn, describe goals, objectives and accomplishments of the research. All Project Web pages are also listed under their respective Research Program.