“We’ve seen hard times, but this is a whole different scenario,” said Moyer, owner of Quiver River Aquaculture in Sunflower.

He specializes in fingerlings, or 1-year-old catfish.

To increase efficiency at his operation, he’s feeding his carry-over fish from last year more of a “maintenance diet” as opposed to standard feeding.

Moyer attempts to make fewer trips to deliver fish to processors in an effort to save on fuel costs.

Barlow and other champions of domestically raised catfish are frustrated that Chinese imports have gained a foothold with consumers despite what they say are numerous safety concerns.

Barlow said 52 shipments of imported catfish were blocked at U.S. borders because they contained chemicals and other ingredients banned on domestic catfish, even if they’re legal in China.

But imported catfish averages $1 per pound cheaper than domestic catfish, and consumers can quickly forget any safety concerns in today’s troubled economy, experts acknowledge.

The catfish farmers’ group lobbied for the passage of a law this year that mandates restaurants selling catfish in Mississippi include “country of origin” labeling in its description of their catfish offerings.

“It lets the consumer decide,” he said.

Barlow said it’s an important step for domestically grown catfish regaining its place in the market, particularly as 70 percent of the state’s catfish wind up in restaurants.

He added homegrown catfish’s quality warrants a higher price than imported competition.

Moyer agrees the new law can be an effective way of promoting Mississippi’s catfish but stressed its impact is limited.

“That’s not going to cut the price of grains, the cost of fuel, imports,” he said.

Still, Barlow is encouraged by a 21 percent increase in catfish processing statewide from last year, attributing that at least in part to the increased emphasis on labeling homegrown catfish.

Many in the industry say they can see the state’s catfish business operating on a smaller scale in coming years.