What is AquacultureWhat is Aquaculture

Developed by the Harbor Branch ACTED staff

Photograph by HBOI

MaricultureMariculture

The husbandry marine organisms

Photograph by HBOI

AquaponicsAquaponics

The husbandry of animals and plants together

Photograph by HBOI

Aquaculture Aquaculture isis Agriculture Agriculture

• The husbandry of freshwater and marine organisms is no different than their terrestrial counterparts.

• Engineering, nutrition, health management, system and personnel management, marketing and business planning are comparable.

• Although many aquaculture products may command a higher value than their terrestrial counterparts, aquaculture is not a “get rich venture”

Fisheries stock enhancement

Fisheries stock enhancement

Bait productionBait production

OrnamentalsOrnamentals BiomedicalBiomedical

Photograph by HBOI Photograph by HBOI

Photograph by HBOI Photograph by HBOI

How many of How many of you eat you eat

seafood?seafood?

•Aquaculture production in the United States is valued at $1.1 billion

•In Florida: $70-100 million

•Aquaculture production in the United States is valued at $1.1 billion

•In Florida: $70-100 million

•About 40% of the seafood we eat is from aquaculture farms

•About 40% of the seafood we eat is from aquaculture farms

Commercially Cultured Commercially Cultured Species Species

Commercially Cultured Commercially Cultured Species Species

Photograph by HBOI

CatfishCatfishTilapiaTilapiaTroutTrout

SalmonSalmon Striped BassStriped Bass

OystersOystersClamsClamsShrimpShrimp

CatfishCatfishTilapiaTilapiaTroutTrout

SalmonSalmon Striped BassStriped Bass

OystersOystersClamsClamsShrimpShrimp

Research and Development Research and Development Species Species

Research and Development Research and Development Species Species SnapperSnapper

CobiaCobiaFlounderFlounderPompanoPompanoSturgeonSturgeonTunaTunaConchConchLobsterLobster

SnapperSnapperCobiaCobiaFlounderFlounderPompanoPompanoSturgeonSturgeonTunaTunaConchConchLobsterLobster

Photograph by HBOI

Phases of AquaculturePhases of AquaculturePhases of AquaculturePhases of Aquaculture

BroodstocBroodstockk

ManagemeManagementnt

BroodstocBroodstockk

ManagemeManagementnt

HatcheryHatcheryProductionProductionHatcheryHatchery

ProductionProduction

NurseryNurseryProductionProduction

NurseryNurseryProductionProduction

Grow-outGrow-outGrow-outGrow-out

Harvest Harvest & Market& MarketHarvest Harvest

& Market& Market

Photographs by HBOI

Aquaculture SystemsAquaculture Systems• Open–Netpens, cages, longlines, bottom

culture

• Semi-closed–Ponds, raceways, tanks

• Closed– raceways, tanks

Aquaculture systems: OpenAquaculture systems: Open

• Organisms are reared in natural systems• No diversion or pumping of water• Floating netpens, floating racks, longlines,

on-bottom culture

Aquaculture systems: Aquaculture systems: SemiclosedSemiclosed

• Organisms are reared in manmade impoundments

• Water is diverted from natural flows or pumped

• Examples are ponds and raceways

Aquaculture systems: Closed• Water is reused - little or no effluent• Sophisticated water filtration and treatment• Recirculating aquaculture systems,

aquariumsPhotograph by HBOI

Water SystemsWater Systems

• Flow-through: one time use of water

• Recirculation: reuse of water

Aquaculture systems: Flow-throughAquaculture systems: Flow-through

PretreatmentWaterSource

RearingTank

Effluent

Photographs by HBOI

Flow-through aquaculture systemsFlow-through aquaculture systems

Disadvantages• No environmental control• Source of contaminants, pollutants• Greater regulatory constraints

Advantages• Lower cost• Simplicity• Provides ambient food• Requires lower skill level

Aquaculture Aquaculture systems: systems:

RecirculatingRecirculating

Pretreatment

RearingTank

WaterSource

Post treatmentEffluent

Water treatment Biofiltration Disinfection

Photographs by HBOI

Recirculating aquaculture systemsRecirculating aquaculture systems

Disadvantages• Higher costs• Higher skill level• Complex system, potential problems• Must provide all feed • Buildup of toxins & pathogens

Advantages• Environmental control• Free of outside contaminants• Fewer regulatory constraints

Methods of Cultivation Methods of Cultivation Extensive vs. IntensiveExtensive vs. Intensive

Extensive =

• Utilize natural productivity• Low density• No or supplemental feeds• Low water exchange

Intensive = •Maximize production•Limited space•High density•Complete diet•High water exchange