Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 10 The Aquaculture Industry

Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chapter 10

The Aquaculture Industry


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)


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


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


Commercial Fish Categories

• Warm water– 60°Farenheit (F) and above

– E.g., catfish, tilapia

• Cold water– 70°F and below

– E.g., trout, salmon


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)


Catfish Basics

• Channel catfish– Only variety of economic importance


Catfish Production

• Most grown in southern U.S.

(continued)


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)


Catfish Production

• Submerged cages advantageous over open ponds– Allows closer inspection

– Wastes less feed

– Addresses predator problems

– Makes harvesting easier


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)


Tilapia Production

• Biologists believe they have high commercial potential

• Grow best in South


Trout Production

• Considered among best-tasting fish– Good eating quality

– High percentage of edible meat

• Production differs from catfish– Smaller quantities

– Northern locations

(continued)


Trout Production

• Most grown in concrete raceways– Water is clean, moving, low in temperature, and of

acceptable oxygen

– Disease more easily controlled

– Harvesting easier


Salmon Production

• Atlantic salmon gaining popularity– Very meaty

– Flavorful

(continued)


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


Sport Fishing

• Fish grown for sport fishing– Ponds, lakes, and streams

– Human-made reservoirs

(continued)


Sport Fishing

• Recreational fishing spurs other industries– Fishing tackle

– Boats

– Guiding services

– Restaurants, hotels, and other businesses

• Private owners charge for fishing


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


Crayfish

• Also known as crawfish or crawdads

• Louisiana– Largest producer

(continued)


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


Alligator Farming

• Alligators no longer endangered due to extensive conservation

(continued)


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


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

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Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 10 The Aquaculture Industry