Susquehanna Aquacultures, Inc. began in 1989 by assuming operations at an existing aquaculture research facility on Brunner Island, near York Haven, Pennsylvania, under a long term lease from the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company (PP&L). Susquehanna's primary production emphasis is raising hybrid striped bass, due to the year-round availability of warm water from the power plant's effluent. At Susquehanna Aquacultures, we have no difficulty having our product accepted in the marketplace, as demand continues to outpace supply. Sales grew from 60,000 pounds in 1989, to 230,000 pounds/yr in 1995. A natural disaster in January 1996 wiped out the entire operation, when the icy waters of the Susquehanna River over-topped the protective dike and killed all fish on the farm. The following year, after rebuilding the farm's infrastructure and fish inventories, a 2-hour oxygen outage caused 25% of the resident fish to suffocate. Even with such setbacks, 1999 harvests were the highest ever at 235,000 pounds which was then surpassed in 2000 with over 270,000 pounds harvested.
By carefully managing grow-out of several generations (year classes) of fish simultaneously in the raceway-style farm, Susquehanna enjoys a reputation as a long-term supplier of consistent quality and reliable quantities of Hybrid Striped Bass. Early marketing and sales focused on traditional wholesale fish houses which distribute full ranges of seafood products - on ice. Iced fish sales formed over 90% of all sales for the first several years. However, the raceway-style farm and natural water resources are ideally suited for live fish trade in both food and recreational markets, which generally yield higher prices per pound. Live fish sales currently compose 99%+ of total production, with food fish customers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York City, and Toronto and recreational stocking customers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. To meet product demands, Susquehanna has steadily expanded and modified its facilities to maximize use of water resources and rearing space. Capacity development must keep pace with market development, as both are critical to growth. The grow-out techniques and equipment applications developed by the company are customized to the unique situation at Brunner Island, and are continuously under scrutiny for improvement.
