AQUACUTURE

AQUACULTURE

                                            Aquaculture is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and organisms in all types of water environments. Aquaculture is also known as Aquafarming (Aqua meaning water and culture meaning to grow). The difference between pisciculture and aquaculture is that pisciculture involves culture & rearing of fish whereas aquaculture involves culture and rearing of fish as well as another aquatic organism such as prawn, oyster, etc. It is practiced for more than 2500 years in China, Egypt, and India. 

IMPORTANCE AND CONTRIBUTION

Indian major carps and exotic camps contribute over 90% of freshwater aquaculture. The freshwater aquaculture primarily confined to three major carps viz, Rohu, Calta, Mrigala with Exotic species Tilapia mossambila.Catfishes such as Mystus, wallago.Shellfishes such as Prawns, Molluscs, Crustaceans.

                                      

                                                     

                                      

                                             FIG:-Tilapia mossambila

WHY AQUACULTURE? 

• Population boom and limited food resources are there.

• Cheaper source of protein next to eggs.

• More edible protein (70-80%.) than meat.

• Fish meal is with all 10 essential amino acids.

• High Fecundity (the ability to produce an abundance of offspring or new growth) and high growth rate. 

• Ornamental and medicinal value.

 OBJECTIVES

• Production of low Lost, protein-rich, nutritive palatable, and easily digestible human food. 

• Production of ornamental fish for aesthetic appeal.

• Effective utilization of aquatic and land resources.

• Recycling of organic waste of human and livestock origin.

SYSTEMS OF AQUACULTURE

Major and Important classification:-

1.On the basis of salinity. 

 i.Freshwater farming.

ii.Brackish water farming.

iii.Marine water farming.

2. On the basis of intensity.

 i.Extensive farming system.

ii.Seme-intensive farming system. 

iii.Intensive farming system. 

3. On the Basis of Fish species.

 i. Monoculture.

ii.Polyculture.

4. On the Basis of the enclosure.

 i.Pond culture.

ii.Cage culture.

iii.Pen culture.

iv.Race-way culture.

5.On the basis of integration.

 i.Agriculture cum fish farming. 

ii.Animal husbandry cum fish farming.

Based on different sources available and involved in farming activity, aquaculture is categorized as mentioned below.

1) Based on the temperature of the water.

a) Warm water farms

b) Coldwater farms

2) Based on water replacement.

a) Running water farms

b) Stagnant water farms

3) Based on the physiographical zone.

a) Inland fish farms

b) Coastal fish farms

c) Marine fish farms

4) Based on the water source.

a) Rainfed farms

b) Tide fed farms

c) Groundwater fed farms

d) River/Canal fed farms

e) Springwater/Artesian fed farms

f) Sewage fed farms

g) Seepage water farms

5) Based on material used for pond construction.

a) Earthen ponds

b) Cement ponds

c) Lined earthen ponds

d) Plastic tanks

6) Based on species cultured.

a) Carp farming

b) Shrimp farming

c) Tilapia farming

d) Catfish farming

e) Mullet farming

7) Based on organism cultured.

a) Fish farm

b) Prawn farm

c) Crab farm

d) Oyster farm

e) Mussel farm

f) Seaweed farm

8) Based on the development stage.

a) Breeding farm/Hatchery

b) Nursery farm

c) Seed rearing farm

d) Grow out farm

9) Based on sex.

a) Monosex culture farms

b) Mixed-sex culture farms

10) Based on the stocking.

a) Single size stocking

b) Multiple size stocking

11) Based on harvesting.

a) Single harvesting

b) Multiple harvesting

c) Rotational harvesting

12) Based on levels of input intensity.

a) Level 1 – Without management either for stocking fish seeds or for fish food supply.

b) Level 2 – Seeds are stocked. These are supported by the fish food organisms produced only by natural soil productivity. Only stocking of seed is prevalent.

c) Level 3 – Seeds are stocked and are supported by the fish food organisms produced by natural soil productivity and increased productivity by organic manure and inorganic fertilizer application. Stocking of seed and manure fertilizer application is prevalent.

d) Level 4 – Stocked fishes are supported by natural soil-based productivity, increased productivity due to manure fertilizer application, and supplementary feeding.

e) Level 5 – Hatchery produced seeds supported only by formulated feeds.