KEVIN M. FITZSIMMONS
Associate Research Scientist
Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science
University of Arizona, Environmental Research Lab
2601 E. Airport Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85706
Phone: (520) 626-3324
Fax:
(520) 573-0852
E-mail kevfitz@ag.arizona.edu
EDUCATION:
Doctor of Philosophy - Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Arizona.
Master of Science - Biology, University of West Florida.
Bachelor of Science - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona.
RESEARCH, TEACHING and EXTENSION INTERESTS:
Associate Research Scientist, Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of
Arizona
Joint Appointment: Extension Specialist, Aquatic Resources, Cooperative Extension, University of
Arizona
Certified Professional Fisheries Scientist, No. 1932, American Fisheries Society
Aquaculture, Algae, Integrated Aquaculture/Agriculture, Bioremediation and Habitat Creation with
Wastewaters, Aquaculture Extension Specialist for Arizona
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
Research interests include aquaculture, aquatic biology of man-made systems, native fish, reuse of
wastewater:
 Review aquaculture industry and participate in the development of a World Bank project with Mexico
to develop aquaculture infrastructure on a national level including research, extension, education,
demonstration projects, and environmental oversight (WORLD BANK);
 Review aquaculture industry and research and provide input to redevelopment plan for Government of
Egypt (USAID);
 Develop plans for a multi-species hatchery in France (EUROPFARM, S.A.) and a tilapia farm in
Colombia (SAGRO S.A.);
 Co-Principal Investigator for caged tilapia nutrition studies with Freshwater Aquaculture Center,
Central Luzon State University, Philippines (POND DYNAMICS/AQUACULTURE CRSP);
 Production of Paddlefish in Intensive Recirculating Systems (DISNEY);
 Develop plans for a shrimp-algae-halophyte farm in India (BALLARPUR INDUSTRIES);
 Consultant on hatchery redevelopment project for Arizona G&F facilities (GREINER
ENGINEERING);
 Evaluation of solids removal systems for aquaculture effluents (USDA, WESTERN REGIONAL
AQUACULTURE CENTER);
 Survey and selection of species to be used in aquaculture display at EPCOT Center, Disney World
(DISNEY);
 Extension and contract work with farmers, investors, and government agencies on the feasibility,
design, operation, and management of fish, shrimp and seaweed farms in Arizona, Hawaii, California,
Mexico, Colombia, Jamaica, Philippines, Egypt, France, Costa Rica and El Salvador;
 Development of integrated farming techniques incorporating aquaculture into irrigated field crop
production (USDA-EPA joint funding)
 Work with municipalities, irrigation districts and utilities to manage wastewaters to reduce pollution
and to reuse water for aquatic systems and/or wildlife habitat (ARIZONA GAME and FISH and
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE);
 Survey and control projects for algae and algal compounds in drinking and irrigation water systems
(CAP, SRP, TEMPE, GLENDALE, SCOTTSDALE, MESA, CHANDLER);
 Survey the Central Arizona Project for Zebra Mussels and develop a control plan in case of
introduction (CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT);
 Principal Investigator for grants from USDA, EPA, USAID, WORLD BANK, HORMEL, SIMPLOT,
GREINER ENGINEERING, NATIONAL COASTAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE, TUCSON CITY
WATER DISTRICT, CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT, EUROFARM S.A., DISNEY, ALFICO,
ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT, FUSADES, S.A., NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC
COOP ASSOCIATION, ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE, SAGRO S.A., INTERNATIONAL
WILDLIFE MUSEUM, RANGEN FEEDS, ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE and
FISH N DAKOTA.
BioSphere 2 Program Coordinator - ERL, U. of Arizona, 1985-87.
Coordinator of University agricultural efforts for the Biosphere 2 project. Led and supervised a
multi-disciplinary team from the University including faculty, staff, graduate students, and consultants.
Prepared budgets, reports, and worked with sponsors, other contractors, press and NASA officials.
Research Assistant - ERL, Univ. of Arizona, 1981-84.
Conducted research in support of freshwater aquaculture program and marine shrimp aquaculture project.
Biological Aide - National Marine Fisheries Service, Destin, Florida - 1979 - 80.
Collected biological and catch effort data in support of the Oceanic Game Fish Investigation. Duties
included coordinating fish tagging project, taking morphological, sex, and gut content data, collecting fish
parts for aging studies and officiating at big game fishing tournaments.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA TEACHING:
Co-instructor: Introduction to Aquaculture WFS 456/556
Instructor:
Biology & Culture of Freshwater and Marine Algae SWES/WFS/ECOL 475/575
Instructor:
Aquatic Plants and the Environment SWES/WFS/ECOL 474/574
Instructor:
Independent Study Projects WFS 499/599
Instructor:
Introduction to Environmental Sciences SWES 106
Instructor:
Short course on Care and Use of Aquatic Animals in Research
Received grants: ($2,000) for purchase of multimedia computer and software for use in the classroom.
($1,212) for creation of an Aquaculture CD-ROM for high schools
EXTENSION:
 Serve as officer for Arizona Aquaculture Association;
 Edit Arid Lands Aquaculture newsletter covering University and Association activities;
 Participate in drafting of aquaculture legislation, regulations and Best Management Practices for the
Arizona Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Quality;
 Work with food institutions (from multi-nationals to individual restaurants) in the market development
of aquaculture products;
 Construct and maintain World Wide Web Pages for aquaculture and aquatic systems in Arizona with
links to local, US and international URL's. Also created sites for U of A courses, the American Tilapia
Association and the U.S. Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society;
 Instructor for week long course on aquaculture for Arizona Agriculture Education Teachers, at Round
Valley High School, June 1995;
 Conference Organizer and Chair for the Fourth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture,
November 1997, Orlando, FL;
 Participated in National Aquaculture Extension Workshop, Little Rock, AR, March 1992;
 On organizing Committee for 1997 National Aquaculture Extension Workshop, University of
Maryland, April 1997;
 Serve on Board of Directors of US Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society;
 Serve as Vice President of the American Tilapia Association;
 President-elect of the Tucson Zoological Society.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:
World Aquaculture Society
U.S. Chapter, World Aquaculture Society, (Board of Directors)
American Fisheries Society
Certified Professional Fisheries Scientist, No. 1932, American Fisheries Society
American Tilapia Association (Vice President)
Arizona Aquaculture Association (V.P.& Newsletter Editor)
Aquacultural Engineering Society
Network of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries Professionals
Tucson Zoological Society (Board of Directors)
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Short Courses, Water Quality (Jan. 1983) Wildlife Diseases (Aug. 1995)
University of Arizona, College of Business, Executive Development Course, Tucson, AZ. April - May
1984
Western Behavioral Sciences Institute, Leadership & Management Development , Ojai, CA. April 1988
University of AZ short courses; Lab Safety, Radiation Protection and Research Animal Care and Use
Certified Professional Fisheries Scientist, American Fisheries Society
Western Ag Education Workshop, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, September, 1995.
JOURNAL EDITING, REVIEW BOARDS and PANELS:
Editorial Advisory Board for Reviews in Fisheries Science - A professional journal published by CRC
Press and the American Fisheries Society
Editorial Advisory Board for Journal of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment - A professional
journal devoted to these issues in the developing world
Reviewer of competitive aquaculture grants for U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, National
Science Foundation and Electric Power Research Institute
Member of Technical Committee for Western Regional Aquaculture Center, USDA
Member of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Member of Review Panel for Aquaculture Curriculum Guide - A curriculum developed for teaching
aquaculture at the secondary level, distributed nationwide.
Member of Development Panel for Natural Resources Curriculum - A curriculum developed for teaching
natural resources at the secondary level in Arizona.
Member of Technical Advisory Committee, Arizona Department of Water Resources
PROFESSIONAL TRAVELS:
Western Europe, Mexico, El Salvador, Ecuador, Brazil, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand,
Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Martinique, Canada, Ivory Coast, Australia, New Zealand, Colombia
and Egypt.
Publications:
Book:
Tilapia Aquaculture : Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture.
Editor. Fitzsimmons, K. 1997. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Publication No.
NRAES - 106. Ithaca, N. Y. 808pp.
Refereed journal articles:
McKeon, C., Glenn, E., Gerba, C.P., Fitzsimmons, K., and Maier, R. in press. Microbiological hazards of
fresh water fish culture systems. Aquaculture
Galindo-Bect, M.S., Glenn, E.P., Page, H.M., Fitzsimmons, K., Galindo-Bect, L.A., Hernandez-Ayon,
J.M., Petty, R.L., Garcia-Hernandez, J. and Moore, D. 2000. Penaeid shrimp in the Upper Gulf of
California in relation to Colorado River discharge. Fishery Bulletin 98(1) 222-225.
Glenn, E., Cohen, M., Morrison, J., Valdes-Casilla, C. and Fitzsimmons, K. 1999. Science and policy
dilemas in the management of agricultural waste waters: The case of the Salton Sea, CA, USA.
Environmental Science and Policy 2:413-423.
Brown, J.J., Glenn, E.P., Fitzsimmons, K.M. and Smith, S.E., 1999. Halophytes for the treatment of saline
aquaculture effluent. Aquaculture 175:255-268.
Fitzsimmons, K., Lovely, C. and E. Glenn. 1998. Growth differences among widely separated geographic
accessions of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) in the Great Basin desert, New Mexico, USA. Arid
Soil Research and Rehabilitation 12(2):87-94.
Glenn, E., Moore, D., Brown, J.J., Tanner, R., Fitzsimmons, K., Akutigawa, M. and S. Napoleon. 1998. A
sustainable culture system for Gracilaria parvispora (Rhodophyta) using sporelings, reef growout and
floating cages in Hawaii. Aquaculture 165:221-232.
Glenn, E., Tanner, R.., Miyamoto, S. Fitzsimmons, K. and Boyer, J. 1998. Water use, productivity and
forage quality of the halophyte Atriplex nummularia grown on saline waste water in a desert environment.
J. of Arid Environments 38:45-62.
Fitzsimmons, K., Dickenson, G., Brand, C., and J. Davis. 1997. Effects of reducing dietary lipid levels on
growth of hybrid tilapia in an intensive recirculating water system. Progressive Fish Culturist 59:293-296.
Riley, J.J., Fitzsimmons, K. M. and E. Glenn. 1997. Halophyte irrigation: An overlooked strategy for
management of membrane filtration concentrate. Desalination 110:297-211.
Glenn, E., Moore, D. Fitzsimmons, K. and Azevedo, C. 1996. Spore culture of the edible red seaweed,
Gracilaria parvispora (Rhodophyta) Aquaculture 142:59-74.
Conference Proceedings:
Fitzsimmons, K. 1999. Marketing of Tilapia in the USA. Pp.12-25. In: The Fifth Roche Aquaculture
Conference - August 26, 1999 - Bangkok, Thailand
Fitzsimmons, K. and Posadas, B. 1997. Consumer demand for tilapia products in the US and the effects
on local markets in exporting countries. Pp. 613-632. In: Tilapia Aquaculture: Proceedings of the Fourth
International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. Editor. K. Fitzsimmons, K. Northeast Regional
Agricultural Engineering Service Publication, No. NRAES - 106. Ithaca, N. Y.
Skeen, B. A., Fitzsimmons, K., Brown, J.J. and G. Dickenson. 1997. Performance characteristics of open
and closed bead filters in a closed recirculating tilapia production system. Pp. 276-286. In : M.B.
Timmons and T. Losordo, editors. Advances in Aquacultural Engineering. Northeast Regional
Agricultural Engineering Service Publication No. NRAES - 105, Ithaca, NY.
Fitzsimmons, K. 1997. AquaRIC’s: Philosophy and direction. Pp. 19-22. In : Webster, D. and Ewart, J. ,
editors. National Aquaculture Extension Conference Proceedings. Annapolis, MD.
Piedrahita R.H., Zachritz, W.H., Fitzsimmons, K, and Brockway, C. 1996. Evaluation and improvements
of solids removal systems for aquaculture. pp. 141-150. In: G. S. Libey and M. B. Timmons, editors.
Successes and Failures in Commercial Recirculating Aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering Proceedings
II. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Publication No. NRAES - 8.
Olsen, M.W., K.M. Fitzsimmons, and D.W. Moore. 1993. Surface irrigation of cotton using aquaculture
effluent, pp.159-165. In: Techniques for Modern Aquaculture (J.K. Wang, Ed.) St. Joseph, MI:ASAE
Pub. 02-93.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1992. Extending the value of aquaculture effluents through sustainable
agriculture practices, p.344-346. In: National Livestock, Poultry, and Aquaculture Waste Management.
Am. Soc. Ag. Eng. Pub. 03-92.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1992. Fertilizer value of aquaculture effluent and land disposal as a Best
Management Practice. pp. 1-4. In: Proceedings of the National Extension Aquaculture Workshop.
Ferndale, Ark..
Lightner, D., Redman, R., Mohney, L., Dickenson, G., Fitzsimmons, K., 1988. Major diseases
encountered in controlled environment culture of tilapias in fresh and brackish water over a three year
period in Arizona, p.111-116. In: 2nd International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. ICLARM,
Manila, Philippines.
Leigh, L., Fitzsimmons, K.M., Norem, M. and Stumpf, D.K. 1987. An introduction to the intensive
agriculture biome of Biosphere II, p.76-81. In: Space Manufacturing 6: Nonterrestrial Resources and
Biosciences. Am. Inst. Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Other Publications:
Fitzsimmons, K., Circa, A., Jimenez, E.B. and Pereda, D. 1999. Development of low cost supplemental
feeds for tilapia in pond and cage culture. In: K. McElwee, D. Burke, M. Niles and H. Egna (Editors),
Sixteenth Annual Technical Report. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University,
Corvallis, OR. pp. 57-63.
Fitzsimmons, K. 1998. O Mercado de Tilapia nos EUA. (Tilapia markets in the US.) Panorama da
AQUICULTURA 8(45):28-30.
Fitzsimmons, K. and Circa, A. 1997. Development of low cost supplemental feeds for tilapia in pond and
cage culture in the Philippines. In: Fifteenth Annual Technical Report, 1997. Pond
Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Olsen, M., Frye, R., Fitzsimmons, K., Ebert, S. and Dickenson, G. 1997. Agricultural remediation of
stack gases. Rural Electric Research Project 92-4. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Arlington, VA.
Glenn, E., Moore, D., Machado, C., Fitzsimmons, K. and Menke, S. 1996. Atlas of Gracilaria Spore
Culture. National Coastal Research and Development Institute, Portland, OR.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1995. Evaluation of halophytes to dispose of saline water and for direct planting on
ash ponds. Report to Arizona Public Service.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., E. Glenn, K. Hilwig and T. Holstein 1995. A Survey, with recommendations for
control, of aquatic weeds and algae in the Central Arizona Project Canal. Report to Central Arizona Water
Conservation District. 22pp.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1995. Survey and review of constraints to aquaculture development and new species.
Western Regional Aquaculture Center, USDA., University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 73pp.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1994. Staff Appraisal Report: Development of aquaculture infrastructure in Mexico.
Report to the World Bank..
Glenn, E., Fitzsimmons, K. and D. Baumgartner. 1994. Growth and water use of conventional and
halophytic landscape plants irrigated with saline water. EPRI Report 8021-03.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1992. Use of reclaimed water for Lakeside and other urban lakes. ERL Report
#92-11-2. Report to TUCSON WATER, Dec. 1992.
Glenn, E., Fitzsimmons, K., and Tollefsen, R. 1991. Productivity of Long Ogo (Gracilaria parvispora)
in floating cages in Moloka'i fishponds. Report to National Coastal Resources Institute. Portland, OR.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1990. Software program to predict hatchery requirements for several species.
Report to Greiner Engineering, Inc.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1988. Status of aquaculture in the state of Arizona. GHC Bulletin 11(1):23-24.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1987. Recent advances in aquaculture research. Bull. Az. Coop. Ex. Serv. 6pp.
Fitzsimmons, K.M., and Collins, W., 1985. Production and processing of Tilapia fish on the
Pasqua Yaqui Reservation, Tucson, Arizona: A feasibility study. 36pp.
Collins, W. and Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1985. Modern aquaculture production of Tilapia fish in El Salvador.
Report to FUSADES\AID-US State Department. 43pp.
Fitzsimmons, K.M. and B.R. Salser, 1984. Controlled environment aquaculture at the Environmental
Research Lab. Am. Fish. Soc. AZ-NM Conf. 1984:1-14.