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Abstract
Indicators of performance efficiency provide benchmarks for measuring and comparing fish farm performance over time. A set of production and financial performance analysis indicators was developed specifically for commercial baitfish production and was utilized on commercial farms from 1996-1997. Results provide an in-depth and comprehensive financial portrait of baitfish production. This study measured the high degree of variation across baitfish farms in both production practices and in production performance. Yields averaged 370 ±117 kg/ha, 1,697 ±1,584 kg/ha, and 182 ±78 kg/ha for golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas) goldfish (Carassius auratus) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) respectively. On average, 1 ha of brood pond was required for each 13.6 ha of growout ponds. Water use ranged from 2.2 ±3.0 m/ha of water surface area for golden shiners, 0.40 ±0.55 m/ha for goldfish, and 0.72 ±0.72 m/ha for fathead minnows. Labor represented the greatest single cost item in baitfish production, and its efficiency ranged from 5.0 ±1.2 kg of fathead minnows per hour of labor to 26.9 ±35.5 kg of goldfish per hour of labor. Total operating cost per kg of fish produced was $2.64 ±1.21, $1.25 ±0.66, and $6.5 ±5.1 for golden shiners, goldfish, and fathead minnows. These indicators can be used to compare farm efficiencies from one year to the next and allow baitfish farmers to measure and evaluate the farm-level impacts of new spawning, hatching, and production technologies. Measured indicators of pond productivity, efficiency of ground water use, and labor and economic efficiency are expected to show significant improvement as new spawning, hatching, and pond management technologies become more widely adopted.
