All About Brett Rowley
1981-1986- D&B Fish Farms, Crockett, TX
General Manager / Fisheries Biologist
- Managed family owned fish hatchery producing over 30 species of fish.
- Developed new production techniques and markets.
- Increased farm profitability through diversification of products and services.
- Devised stocking and management plans for sport fishing lakes and ponds.
1986-1989- Danbury Fish Farms / Lakes of Danbury, Danbury, TX
General Manager / Fisheries Biologist
- Managed Texas largest, privately owned, fish hatchery.
- Planned and implemented Texas best known private bass fishing resort.
- Developed new production techniques and markets.
1989-1992- Naiad Corporation, Liverpool, TX
Live Fish Production Manager / Fisheries Biologist
- Assisted in development and operation of Texas first large scale, vertically integrated, commercial catfish farm and processing plant.
- Developed new re-circulating, poly culture production technology addressing production rates and off-flavor concerns.
- Managed all aspects of a 4,000 acre catfish farm and 35 million fish per year hatchery.
- Conducted pertinent research into catfish poly culture production technology.
1992-1997- Great Lakes, Inc., West Columbia, TX
General Manager / Fisheries Biologist
- Developed concept and implemented state-of-the-art corporate sport fishing complex consisting of 650 acres of grounds, 3 - 100 acre lakes, 15 acres of hatchery ponds, fishing lodge, and associated items.
- Provided corporate guests with unique trophy fishing opportunities.
- Developed and applied unique fishery management techniques and species.
1997-present Texas Sport fish and Koi / Brett's Fish Farm, Liverpool, TX
Owner / Fisheries Biologist
- Consulting to a wide variety of clients with respect to fish production, fish health, water quality, and aquatic resource management.
- Breeding and sales of championship quality Japanese koi.
Education - 1976-1980 - Texas A&M University
- B. S. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences / Fisheries Ecology
Professional Societies
- Member of American Fisheries Society, Fish Culture Section
- Director and Officer of the Texas Aquaculture Association (T.A.A.)
- Member of Ornamental Section of T.A.A.
- Member of National Aquaculture Association (N.A.A.)
- Member of Zen Nippon Airinkai (Z.N.A.-worldwide koi organization)
- Member of Associated Koi Clubs of America (A.K.C.A.)
Awards
- 1995 TAA Aquaculturist of the Year
- 1996 National Baby Champion Koi
- 1992-present Assorted Awards for Champion Koi in koi shows nationwide.
Accomplishments
- Developed production techniques and markets for the following species:
Largemouth bass, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Bluegill and other Sunfish, Crappie, Fathead minnow,
golden shine minnow, Hybrid Striped Bass, Crawfish.
- Pioneered production of the following species in Texas:
Threadfin Shad, Gizzard Shad, Tilapia, Coppernose Bluegill, Florida Strain Largemouth Bass, Lake Chubsucker, Hybrid Buffalo fish, Flounder, Japanese Koi, Paddlefish (a Sturgeon).
- Sustained average production of 24,000 pounds of catfish per acre when industry average was less than 3000 pounds per acre.
- Guided Japanese Prince Akishino, a famous ichthyologist through catfish farm and hatchery of my design (Naiad).
- Assisted in researching paddlefish with respect to the Texas Parks and Wildlife paddlefish restoration efforts.
- Charter member of the Model Seafood Surveillance Project assisting in the development of the H.A.C.C.P. (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) method for the Congressionally mandated regulation of seafood.
- Member of the Texas Exotic Species Task Force, making recommendations to state wildlife and fishery officials with respect to exotic aquatic species.
- First production in the United States of Champion Japanese koi.
- Often requested speaker on fish and aquatic resource topics at seminars, association meetings, club meetings, etc.
Publications
- "Application of Aquaculture Technique to Sport fish Lake Management" Co-author of this Extension Service Publication
- Long time magazine column "Bio-Logic" in Honey Hole Texas Trophy Bass Fishing Magazine.
- Co-author of long time internet web site www.waterscapes.com
