Mosquito Control and Scientific Aquaculture for Public Health

On this day I visited Contra Costa County’s mosquito control aquaculture facility. Chris Miller, the biologist who runs the program, explained the role of his fish farm in protecting public health. They primarily produce mosquitofish  (Gambusia) which are live-bearers. That is they do not lay eggs. Instead, mosquitofish birth fully developed free-swimming fry. Besides Scientific Aquaculture for public health, Chris is also involved in Conservation Aquaculture efforts of other California native fish, such as Sacramento perch that also consume mosquito larvae.  Aquaculture has many roles in society, from feeding people to protecting humans and agricultural farm animals from mosquito-borne sicknesses.