Texas Redfish Aquaculture: A Path to Sustainable Seafood
Texas’ aquaculture industry is expanding in Matagorda County, where farms raise redfish in controlled, sustainable environments. Once overfished, redfish now come mainly from aquaculture operations that provide a steady seafood supply while helping protect wild stocks and support the state’s coastal economy.
Amy Nowlin
When most people think of seafood, they picture wild-caught fish from the Gulf. But did you know that Texas is home to a growing aquaculture industry where fish are raised on farms in carefully managed environments? In Matagorda County, redfish (also called red drum) are being raised through aquaculture operations, providing fresh, sustainable seafood for Texans and beyond.
Matagorda County hosts several prominent redfish farms, including Gulf States Aquaculture, Homegrown Seafood, and Turtle Creek Aquaculture, all recognized for their high-quality redfish production. Collectively, these farms yield hundreds of thousands of pounds of redfish each year, playing a key role in Texas’ aquaculture industry, which produces millions of pounds annually.
Aquaculture, or fish farming, involves raising fish in controlled environments such as ponds, tanks, or coastal enclosures, a practice that dates back to ancient Rome. Farmers manage water quality, provide nutritious feed, and monitor fish health until the fish reach market size. Once harvested, aquaculture producers typically take one of two routes: they either ship their fish to specialized processing facilities or handle processing directly on-site which allows them to deliver sustainably farmed seafood directly to buyers across the country.
Redfish, once overfished in the 1980s, have made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation and hatchery efforts. Today, aquaculture plays a vital role in supplying this popular fish to restaurants and markets, since it is illegal to commercially harvest redfish from the wild in Texas, helping protect wild populations. Farm-raised redfish are a local success story: delicious, sustainable, and good for your health. So, the next time you enjoy a redfish dinner, there’s a good chance it was farmed and raised right here in Texas!
While redfish take center stage, Texas aquaculture doesn’t stop there. Farms across the state also raise hybrid striped bass, catfish, and other species, giving consumers a wide range of healthy, locally sourced seafood options. Several farms in Matagorda County, have pioneered a dual-pond system that improves efficiency while reducing environmental impacts, a model that showcases how innovation drives sustainable aquaculture.
Some people question whether farm-raised fish are as healthy or natural as their wild-caught counterparts. In fact, Texas aquaculture operations are closely regulated, with strict standards for water quality, feed, and fish health. Farm-raised redfish provide a nutritious option, rich in lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins, making them a wholesome choice for any meal.
Fish farming throughout Texas goes beyond providing seafood—it supports food security, local jobs, and healthy coastal economies. From family-run ponds to large-scale operations, aquaculture is shaping the future of the state’s seafood industry. By supporting aquaculture, Texans are putting fresh fish on the table while ensuring the state’s seafood remains sustainable for generations to come.
