ABSTRACTThe International Center for Aquaculture at Auburn University has been involved in international aquaculture development in a formal way for approximately 12 years. It has been or is participating in aquaculture development programs in Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia, Honduras and Jamaica by providing the services of 18 professional staff who have contributed a total of 56 years of long‐term advisory services. In addition, the Center has provided advisory services on a short‐term basis; 50 individual staff members have made 240 country visits, representing 57 different countries in which the staff contributed 4,504 days of overseas work.Auburn' philosophy in aquaculture development, frequently referred to as the “oil spot phenomenon,” is to create a center of excellence in aquaculture in which established fish cultural techniques are tested under local conditions, modified as needed, retested to prove the methodology and subsequently extended to production areas adjacent to the aquaculture center. As extension capabilities are developed and production methodology improved, the aquaculture technology gradually spreads to areas more distant from the center, much like a drop of oil spreads after falling upon a water surface. Auburn' strategy to achieve an aquaculture “oil spot” of sufficient magnitude that will permit its diffusion i