Overview
Channel catfish are one of the most important freshwater species cultured in the United States, particularly in the South. Farm-raised catfish are the fourth most popular fish or seafood consumed in the United States; only shrimp, tuna and cod are more popular.

The wild distribution of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) extends from the St. Lawrence and its tributaries in Quebec, southwest of the Appalachian Mountains, to southern Georgia and Central Florida, west through the Gulf states to eastern Texas and northern Mexico, northwest through the eastern part of the states from New Mexico to Montana, east to the Red River system in Manitoba, southwestern Ontario, southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and through Ontario and Quebec.  February 2008 . . . Catfish

Marketing

• Aquaculture, ERS, USDA.
• Aquaculture, Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook, ERS, USDA, 2007. 
• Aquaculture, Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program (PD/A CRSP) - This program represents an international, multi-disciplinary effort to improve human nutrition through pond aquaculture research. The work of the PD/A CRSP benefits both domestic and international aquaculture.
• Aquaculture, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute - Overview of various programs and initiatives of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Program. Sea Grant researchers are studying several fish species suitable for aquaculture in the Midwest, including walleye, sturgeon, hybrid striped bass, sunfish, bait fish, yellow perch, tilapia, bluegill, crappie, bullhead, crayfish and a variety of salmonids. A variety of techniques are being examined, including pond culture, cage culture and indoor contained systems. The Great Lakes Sea Grant Network also has developed a regional resource list of aquaculture publications and audiovisuals for current and potential aquaculturists. 
• Aquaculture Certification Council - A nongovernmental body established to certify social, environmental and food safety standards at aquaculture facilities throughout the world. This Missouri nonprofit, nonmember public benefit corporation builds on elements of the voluntary Global Aquaculture Alliance Responsible Aquaculture Program system that combines site inspections and effluent sampling with sanitary controls, therapeutic controls and product traceability.
• Aquaculture in Hawaii, State Aquaculture Development Program, State Department of Agriculture - Hawaii Aquaculture Web page, an information source and guide to getting started in aquaculture in Hawaii.
• Aquaculture Network Information Center (AquaNIC) - This Center is a gateway to the world's electronic aquaculture resources.
• Aquaculture Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Fisheries market news and statistic summaries (aquaculture results by catch, available grants, new marine product food safety guidelines, endangered natural stocks, export guidelines for shipments to the European Union, links and addresses of many National Marine Fisheries Support Offices, and other information). Site includes information on Department of Commerce Aquaculture Policy, the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, recent NOAA Aquaculture Policy and breaking research and legislative news.
• Catfish Institute - An association of catfish farmers, processors and feed manufacturers.
• Catfish Processing, NASS, USDA, 2008.
• Census of Aquaculture (2005), USDA, 2006.
• Fisheries Statistics Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA - Contains leads, current and historical trade statistics, import requirements, news and regulatory information. This mission of the Trade and Commercial Service staff is to promote and facilitate trade for the U.S. seafood and aquaculture industries by expanding existing markets and opening new ones for the U.S. producers and processors.
• Fishery Products (Domestic Production and International Trade Information), FSAonline, USDA.
• FishLink.com - An Internet information and resource for aquaculture and fisheries. Contains directories, news, statistics and other related information.
• World Aquaculture Society - International society of aquaculturalists working to improve education and communication within the industry.

 Production

• 2007 Projected Louisiana Crawfish and Catfish Production Costs, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center - This report presents estimates of projected costs for crawfish and catfish production in Louisiana for 2007.
• Aquatic Network - Aquaculture topics, educational information, publications and products and services listing.
• Caged Fish Production In Alabama, Auburn University, 1997.
• Catfish, North Carolina State University Aquaculture Extension.
• Catfish, Louisiana State University Ag Center.
• Catfish, Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, Texas A&M University.
• Catfish Production, NASS, USDA, 2008.
• Channel Catfish, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, FAO, 2003.
• Crawfish and Catfish Production in Louisiana, Projected Commodity Costs and Returns, Louisiana State University Ag Center, 2007.
• The Impact of Price and Yield Variability on Southeastern U.S. Catfish Producer Operations, Louisiana State University Ag Center, 2000.
• Permaculture: Aquaculture, Crescent Meadow Systems - Huge bibliography of written resources and links from this pemaculture reference site.

Links checked April 2008.