Aquaculture is the practice of raising and harvesting aquatic organisms in controlled environments, such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans. It can also be done in man-made systems on land.

In 1988, the Mississippi Legislature recognized that aquaculture was the fastest growing segment of the United States agriculture industry and declared to effectively encourage and support US citizens in expanded and new growth of aquaculture in Mississippi while conserving and enhancing aquatic resources and providing mechanisms for increasing aquaculture production which will lead to the creation of new industries, job opportunities, income for aquaculturists, tax revenues and other benefits to this state.

Persons who grow, farm cultivate and or harvest certain cultured aquatic products in marine or freshwaters or are managed by an aquaculturist are required to hold a permit pursuant to the Aquaculture Act of 1988. The “one-stop” permitting is a collaborative effort between agencies to streamline the application process and provide timelier response.

In 1975, The Legislature passed the Mississippi Catfish Marketing Law. Over time, the Legislature recognized that aquaculture sales and consumption had increased worldwide and that the use of antibiotics or chemicals not approved for use in food-producing animals in the United States was permitted in aquaculture in other countries. The Legislature agreed that consumers of aquaculture in Mississippi should be provided clear information as to where the aquaculture product originates from to protect the health and welfare of Mississippi consumers. The Legislature also found that food-misrepresentation or the passing off of less expensive aquaculture products as pricier aquaculture products to unknowing customers and retailers has become an issue in the marketplace and is a deceitful practice used on consumers and retailers alike and that consumers and retailers should be informed of the country and species of fish.