1 AQUACULTURE

2 What is aquaculture? The cultural production of plants & animals in water. The culture and harvest of aquatic animals & plants usually for food & fiber. “Water farming”

3 Examples of Aquaculture Common NameImportance AlligatorFlesh is used for food & the skin is used for leather BullfrogCultured for food & lab use. CrawfishPrimarily Grown in Louisiana and Texas for food EelPopular food in Italy, Japan, other countries GoldfishPopular ornamental fish in US MinnowPopular bait fish in US CatfishGrown in Southern US for food purposes Common NameImportance SalmonPopular food fish ShrimpChina is the world leader in shrimp production TilapiaGrown in warm water or intensive systems TroutProduced in Northern US for food purposes Freshwater PrawnSuccessful production in Asia & other countries WatercressOnly aquatic foliage consumed on a regular basis in US in raw salads or cooked

4 Comparing Aquaculture & Agriculture FarmingAquaculture Occurs on LandOccurs in water Limited by water supplyLimited by oxygen dissolved in water Many plant and animal cropsMany plant and animal corps Domesticated plants & animals Wild and/or domesticated plants and animals

5 History of Aquaculture 2000 B.C. –Aquaculture started in China with common carp 1700 –Japanese practiced mariculture Aquaculture in saltwater Middle Ages – Europe –Fish grown in moats around castles Main use was to store fish caught in the wild until the were needed for food

6 U.S. Aquaculture National Aquaculture Act of 1980 –Established aquaculture as a national priority –Stated that various government agencies should work together in planning aquaculture development in the nation.

7 Why has aquaculture grown in the last 50 years? Production increases in catfish, trout and salmon industries. Aqua farmers have learned to make their operations more profitable by vertically integrating the industry. Increase in consumption in fish and seafood

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10 Advantages of Aquaculture Provides a quality product on a year-round basis Insures a larger supply of the desired or demanded aqua crops –Insures availability Can control environment of production –Eliminates possibilities of contamination of water fish are grown in Helps provide essential nutrients in the human diet –Fish are a good source of protein and other nutrients

11 Disadvantages of Aquaculture Technology not yet available for the production of some crops –For crops to be produced, the farmer must know how to produce the crop. Right now there is not a lot of information about how to produce certain crops. Lack of knowledge about aquaculture Competition from wild fish and seafood

12 Importance of Aquaculture Source of Food –Supplies a quality source of nutrition for a growing population Provides valuable non-food products –Fine leather – eel skins, alligator hides. –Cultured pearls from oysters –Shells & skeleton parts for home & business decoration –Frog & other aquatic animals for educational purposes – dissection –Less valuable shells are used in paving roads & ornamental landscaping

13 Contributes to human heath research –Dieting supplements –Medical research Creates demand for grain crops –Used in feed rations for fish Creates jobs & economic activity –Jobs created in producing & marketing aqua crops Provides recreation –Sport fishermen are using “fee-lakes” stocked with cultured fish Improves scenic beauty –Aquascaping Using aquaculture to add aesthetic beauty to an area

14 Three main types of Aquaculture Warm water aquaculture –Commercial raising of stock that thrives in warm, often turbid fresh water with temperatures between degrees F Cold water aquaculture –Commercial production of stock that thrives in cool, clear fresh water with temperatures of 65 degrees F and under. Salmon & trout Mariculture (marine culture) –Crop thrives in salt water of various temperatures Shrimp, oysters, and seaweed cultures.