What is Aquaculture- Methods and Types
Introduction
- Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms in both coastal and inland areas involving interventions in the rearing process to enhance production (FAO).
- It is concerned with breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and other aquatic organisms in all types of water environments. The purpose may be commercial, recreational and scientific too.
- Pisciculture is a type of aquaculture that consists of the culturing of fish (fish farming) to obtain fish and fish products as food.
- Presently aquaculture has been developed as fastest growing food-producing sector and now accounts for 50% of the world’s fish that is used for food. There is huge demand of seafood around the world and so the farming of aquatic organisms has been grown rapidly. Also, technology has made it possible to grow food in coastal marine waters and the open ocean.
- The growth of world aquafarming has been stimulated by a number of factors, including population increases, dietary shifts, and advances in aquaculture technology.
- In addition to produce food and other commercial products, Aquaculture restore habitat and replenish wild stocks, and rebuild populations of threatened and endangered species.
Methods of Aquaculture
Mariculture
It refers to the cultivation of marine organisms such as fish, shrimp, mollusks and seaweed in seawater, mainly in sheltered coastal or offshore waters. The farming of marine fish is prominent example of mariculture.
Urban aquaculture
It is the aquatic farming of all types of fish, cuttlefish, mussel shrimp and aqua plants within rivers, ponds, lakes, canals. It is the practice of aquaculture in an urban environment.
Aquatic plants
Phytoplankton or microalgae constitute the majority of cultivated algae. Macroalgae (seaweed) also have many commercial and industrial uses, but due to their size and specific requirements, they are not easily cultivated on a large scale and are most often taken in the wild.
Seaweed farming
It is the practice of cultivating and harvesting seaweed. In its simplest form consists of the management of naturally found batches. In its most advanced form, it consists of fully controlling the life cycle of the algae.
Fish farming
Fish farming or pisciculture is the most common form of aquaculture. It involves raising fish commercially in tanks, fish ponds, or ocean enclosures, mainly for food.
Crustaceans
About 75% of farmed shrimp is produced in Asia, in particular in China and Thailand. Thailand is the largest exporter.
Shrimp farming has changed from its traditional, small-scale form in Southeast Asia into a global industry.
Molluscs
Aquacultured shellfish include various oyster, mussel, and clam species. These bivalves are filter and/or deposit feeders, which rely on ambient primary production rather than inputs of fish or other feed.
Other groups
Such as aquatic reptiles, amphibians, and miscellaneous invertebrates like echinoderms and jellyfish.
Read also…
HYDROPONICS-TECHNIQUES, WORK PROCESS & ADVANTAGE