Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 10 The Aquaculture Industry
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Aquaculture Basics Aquaculture –Growing of animals that normally live in water Fin fish (fresh water and saltwater) Crustaceans (shrimp, prawns, and crayfish) Mollusks (clams and oysters) Amphibians (bullfrogs) Reptiles (alligators) (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Aquaculture Basics Commercial fish growing recently increased –Five million tons of fish produced annually –Asian countries grow the most –Overfishing in some areas has challenged demand
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Fish Production Several advantages over other agricultural animals –Gain more weight on less feed –Have higher percentage of edible meat Producers have unique production problems –Dissolved oxygen levels must be adequate –Fish must reach processing plants alive
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Commercial Fish Categories Warm water –60°Farenheit (F) and above –E.g., catfish, tilapia Cold water –70°F and below –E.g., trout, salmon
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Catfish Basics Most widely grown U.S. fish Differ from most freshwater fish –Smooth skin No scales –Produce well in small ponds –Survive in low oxygen levels (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Catfish Basics Channel catfish –Only variety of economic importance
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Catfish Production Most grown in southern U.S. (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Catfish Production Some grown in open ponds –Females lay eggs in nests –Eggs placed in tanks or jars –Eggs rocked for embryo development –Small fish (fry) placed in tanks to grow –Fry grow to fingerlings Placed in ponds or cages until maturity (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Catfish Production Submerged cages advantageous over open ponds –Allows closer inspection –Wastes less feed –Addresses predator problems –Makes harvesting easier
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Tilapia Production Native to Africa Resemble U.S. sunfish –Reproduce prolifically –Grow rapidly –Considered good quality –Hardy Survive high temperatures, low oxygen, and overcrowding (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Tilapia Production Biologists believe they have high commercial potential Grow best in South
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Trout Production Considered among best-tasting fish –Good eating quality –High percentage of edible meat Production differs from catfish –Smaller quantities –Northern locations (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Trout Production Most grown in concrete raceways –Water is clean, moving, low in temperature, and of acceptable oxygen –Disease more easily controlled –Harvesting easier
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Salmon Production Atlantic salmon gaining popularity –Very meaty –Flavorful (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Salmon Production Most U.S. salmon comes from ocean fishing or Norway –In coastal states, stocked in floating net cages anchored in coves and bays –Fish harvested after 18 to 24 months
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Sport Fishing Fish grown for sport fishing –Ponds, lakes, and streams –Human-made reservoirs (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Sport Fishing Recreational fishing spurs other industries –Fishing tackle –Boats –Guiding services –Restaurants, hotels, and other businesses Private owners charge for fishing
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Bullfrogs Frog legs considered gourmet Supply largely comes from the wild U.S. frog production problematic –Bullfrogs are territorial –Frogs eat live food only –Predators inhabit areas near water
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Crayfish Also known as crawfish or crawdads Louisiana –Largest producer (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Crayfish Grow in ponds less than 2 feet deep –Placed there in spring –Eat plants and animals –Reproduce in late summer –Harvested in late fall, winter, and early spring –Packed into porous bags and shipped
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Alligator Farming Alligators no longer endangered due to extensive conservation (continued)
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Alligator Farming Efforts perfected growing techniques –Females build nests to lay and cover eggs –Producers remove, mark, and wrap eggs –Incubation temperature critical –Harvested at 26 months 5 to 6 feet long –Fed undesirable fish and other by-products
Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Summary Aquaculture one of the newest components of animal agriculture Operations very labor-intensive and expensive Demand for fish and other aquatic animals continues to grow