aquaculture-center.com

Bell Aquaculture has begun operation of the nation’s largest yellow perch farm. The announcement is made by Michael Miller, President & COO, who says the company’s first aquaculture farm is located in Albany, Indiana, northeast of Indianapolis about 10 miles outside of Muncie. The Albany facility currently has the production capacity of less than 100,000 pounds of fish per year and ultimately will exceed 9 million pounds per year. In late December, the Associated Press reported the first certificate of occupancy was issued by Delaware County for Bell Aquaculture’s initial buildings in Albany.

According to Miller, the company will employ 70 in Albany at full build-out of the new facilities. Bell Aquaculture’s Bell Perch™ product is expected to be available for restaurant purchase in spring 2009 and consumer purchase in the future.

Yellow perch is one of the most popular of all North American pan fish. It has a mild, sweet flavor with firm, white flesh and low-fat levels, making it a favorite in residential and commercial kitchens alike. In years past, yellow perch was the fish typically served at Friday night fish fries in the Great Lakes region.

Not to be confused with white perch or rock perch, yellow perch is usually only available a few months out of the year. Overfishing, loss of habitat, pollution, and competition from invasive non-native species have reduced the commercial catch to less than 20 percent of its historic highs—an 80 percent reduction.

The vision for a yellow perch farm was born when Miller became personally interested in aquaculture in 1994. After studying this science and becoming involved in the Indiana Aquaculture Association, Inc. (IAAI), he developed a dream to bring the local and personal favorite, yellow perch, back to the area.

About Bell Aquaculture

Bell Aquaculture is a producer and processor of farm-raised fish for restaurants and consumer use. Initial production facilities, dedicated to yellow perch, are located in Albany, IN, and comprise the nation’s largest yellow perch farm. More information about Bell Aquaculture is available at  http://www.bellperch.com