About Aquaculture @ MAC  

    The Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) is a 2100-acre experimental farm located twenty miles south of Phoenix and twenty miles northwest of Casa Grande, Arizona.  The north and east sides of the Center borders the Gila River Indian Community Reservation and private agricultural farms border the south and west sides of the Center.   It was acquired from Mr. Fred Enke in January 1983 and consolidates activities formerly conducted at the Cotton Research Center in Phoenix and the Mesa Farm in Mesa.  

The Center is an integral and essential part of the research, extension and teaching resources of the College of Agriculture at the University of Arizona in Tucson.  The Bartley P. Cardon Research Building was dedicated in October 1987.  This marked the construction completion of the greenhouses, storage buildings, shop, cotton research gins, irrigation facility, guest quarters, and supervisory housing.  To view movies of the aquaculture facilities of MAC, click here.  A unique partnership has been established with other agencies, organizations and agricultural industries to encourage collaborative research projects with faculty and provide industry the opportunity to conduct their own proprietary research without disclosure or indebtedness to the University.

The indoor and outdoor aquaculture facilities at MAC are useful for both education and research.  There are several outdoor ponds which are being used for integrative studies in nutrient cycling, where aquaculture and field agriculture are combined to conserve natural resources and maximize growers’ income.  The numerous lined ponds hold catfish, tilapia, koi, and white amur (grass carp).  Perhaps the most exciting times within the aquaculture program at MAC are the harvests.  Several farm workers and staff work many hours to net and transfer fish from ponds to both private and government agencies.  Outdoor fish farming is certainly alive in Arizona.

The outdoor ‘AgVentures’ demonstration displays many different aquatic plants and animals.  Aquatic plants, or ‘hydrophytes’, thrive in riparian, wetland or coastal areas, as well as near lakes and ponds.  AgVentures gives just a sample of a freshwater riparian habitat in a cozy, unique setting.

The indoor greenhouse facilities provide controlled environments, allowing for different research projects and displays. There is quite a diverse biotic community of flora and fauna within the aquaculture greenhouses at MAC.  Many species of fish are being held for display and distribution, and our constructed wetlands display educates the public on the necessity for such delicate environments throughout the world.  Aquatic plants in wetland areas help to clean the environment by extracting and storing hazardous metals and pollutants. We have a number of plants that are indigenous to Arizona, as well as many invasive (weed) species. The wetlands display holds many different aquatic animals as well.  Sonoran mud turtles, Red-eared sliders, yellow-bellied sliders, painted turtles, box turtles, and salamanders can all be seen relaxing on the sand or perched upon floating branches. There is also a small saltwater tank that is capable of raising shrimp, a very big industry throughout Arizona.  Our large greenhouse tanks are used for housing some of our largest koi and grass carp that can reach up to 15 lbs.  These tanks are also capable of holding snapping turtles and alligators, which may be used for future integrative studies at MAC.