LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially proclaimed August as Catfish Month in Arkansas to celebrate the contributions of the industry to the state's economy and the importance of catfish farming within our agricultural sector.
Secretary Wes Ward presented the proclamation to Travis and Jessica Hester, the owners of Eat My Catfish, one of the state's seven restaurants featured on the U.S. Catfish Trail.
Secretary Ward was joined by fellow Arkansas Cabinet Secretaries, members of the catfish industry, and the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board to celebrate the announcement.
By the late 1950s, Arkansas established itself as the birthplace of the commercial catfish industry. Now, the Natural State is a leader in catfish production and ranks third nationally.
In 2023, Arkansas catfish farmers contributed $20.6 million to the agricultural economy through food and fish sales. As of July 1, 2024, Arkansas catfish producers had more than 8 million food size fish in inventory, which demonstrates the industry's growth and sustainability.
The state's catfish industry also benefits from aquaculture research and support programs, including the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center for Excellence at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the USDA Agriculture Research Service’s Harry K. Dupree National Aquaculture Research Center in Stuttgart.
In celebration of Catfish Month, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture encouraged Arkansans to support local catfish producers across the state.
