Site Selection Developed by the Harbor Branch ACTED staff

What is the perfect site? Location Climate Culture

Site Selection Location of culture facilityLocation of culture facility Type of culture systemType of culture system Species selectedSpecies selected Biophysical requirementsBiophysical requirements Processing & MarketingProcessing & Marketing Legal RestrictionsLegal Restrictions Economic ClimateEconomic Climate

Production Methods Ponds Raceways Cages Bottom culture Net pens Recirculating systems

US Farms by Method of Aquaculture Production Used

Levee Pond Culture Levee ponds are the most common fish production method Common food species – catfish – hybrid striped bass – tilapia

Site selection – topography – pesticides – utilities – drainage – wetlands – clay content Construction – levee – depth – slope – water – drains Production rates 500 – 3000 kg/acre Levee Ponds

Time spent analyzing a site is time well spent Many problems associated with levee ponds can be traced back to poor site selection Site Selection

Raceways Water supply – use large quantities of water – gravity springs are most economical Location – near water supply Photograph by HBOI

Cages Site selection – water sources – water quality Types – round – rectangular Photograph by HBOI

Cage Placement Specifications – open areas of water to allow good circulation – provide space between cages – number depends on size of pond (carrying capacity)

Net Pens Organisms are reared in natural systems No diversion or pumping of water Monitoring water quality is essential Environments with high flow rates disperse fish wastes Requires daily servicing of cages High risk in hurricanes and tropical storms

Net Pens Photograph by HBOI

Recirculating Systems Site components – building – tanks – filtration – pump house – emergency generator – 3 phase electricity – bulk feed storage – oxygen supply Photograph by HBOI

Building Construction Enclosed & Semi-enclosed Photograph by HBOI

Culture Tanks Photograph by HBOI

Water Flow Photograph by HBOI

Water Requirements Ponds – 10 – 25 gallons per minute per surface acre Raceways – 500 gallons per minute Recirculating Systems – Daily exchange rate average of 10 – 20%

Species Selection Biological Considerations - Water Temperature & Water Quality - Fresh, Brackish, Saltwater - Growth Rate - Feeding Habits - Reproduction - Hardiness - Productivity Marketing Economics

Always Remember Your Production Strategy: “to produce the optimal quantity of an proper sized animal in the shortest period of time by proper husbandry and stock manipulation”