(GP/GT) for Additional Water Supply in the Lower Rio Grande

Snapping turtles are important components of the aquatic fauna throughout
the south. However, exploitation of snapping turtle resources has made them
scarce and in great demand. Research has indicated that it may be feasible to
cultivate them in the same way alligators are cultured. The University of
Southwestern Louisiana is proposing to use a reptilian unit to investigate
snapping turtle growth in culture units (Huner and others, 1990).
The soft-shell crustacean industry in Louisiana is becoming an important
part of the aquaculture industry. One of the principal problems is the high
cost of heating to maintain optimum growth temperatures (75 to al'F) during
the winter months. The University of Southwestern Louisiana is proposing to
use part of an intensive aquaculture unit to examine the cost effectiveness of
using geothermal heat to heat soft-shell crustacean units and to assess the
feasibility of cultivating high value ornamental fishes in such systems (Huner
and others, 1990).
Fingerling food fishes including tilapia, catfish, and striped bass are
typically cultivated in open earthen ponds. This places them at considerable
risk to predation, especially by birds. Winter water temperatures also
curtail their growth, or in the case of tilapia, cause death when temperatures
drop below 50·F. Intensive culture in enclosed units offers the potential for
protection from predators, and an enhanced growth rate, by controlling water
temperatures. The University of Southwestern Louisiana proposes to examine
the cost effectiveness of using geothermal heat to heat a finfish fingerling
unit, and to assess the feasibility of "head starting" fingerling food fish by
cultivating them intensively during the cold months. Integration of
ornamental fish into the system during warm months would be investigated
(Huner and others, 1990).
The capability of growing exotic tropical species such as freshwater
prawns and tilapia in heated nursery systems has been proven. These systems
often use floating water hyacinths to provide substrate for the animals and
remove waste products from the water. None of these systems have been
economical because of the cost of heating the system, as well as the lack of
use of water hyacinths. In southeast Asia, water hyacinths are composted for
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