Aquaculture Overview LaDon Swann Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium Auburn University

Definition “Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc. Farming also implies individual or corporate ownership of the stock being cultivated.” “Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc. Farming also implies individual or corporate ownership of the stock being cultivated.” SOURCE: FAO FISHERIES CIRCULAR NO. 815 REVISION 8, 1996

Aquaculture’s Justification

Advantages of Aquaculture Aquaculturists can improve both the fish and the production methodsAquaculturists can improve both the fish and the production methods Commercial fishers can do little about the fish and must concentrate on improving fishing gear and methodsCommercial fishers can do little about the fish and must concentrate on improving fishing gear and methods Aquaculture is an important source of employmentAquaculture is an important source of employment The bulk of aquaculture production is composed of a small number of speciesThe bulk of aquaculture production is composed of a small number of species –In 2000, 29 species accounted for 78 percent of production. –Other species from among the several thousand that are exploited by capture fisheries could eventually be farmed The appropriate legal framework for most modern aquaculture technologies is knownThe appropriate legal framework for most modern aquaculture technologies is known

2003 Foreign Trade Deficit ImportsImports –$11.1 billion (edible) – 4.9 billion pounds 40% from aquaculture40% from aquaculture ExportsExports –$3.3 billion (edible) – 2.4 billion pounds DeficitDeficit $7.8 billion$7.8 billion 2.5 billion pounds 2.5 billion pounds

World Production

World Production Trends According to FAO statistics aquaculture's contribution to global supplies of fish, crustaceans and molluscsAccording to FAO statistics aquaculture's contribution to global supplies of fish, crustaceans and molluscs –Increased from 3.9 percent of total production by weight in 1970 to 27.3 percent in Aquaculture is growing more rapidly than all other animal food producing sectors.Aquaculture is growing more rapidly than all other animal food producing sectors. –Worldwide, the sector has increased at an average compounded rate of 9.2 percent per year since 1970 –Only 1.4 percent increase for capture fisheries and –2.8 percent for terrestrial farmed meat production systems

World Aquaculture Production In 2000 World aquaculture production of fish, crustaceans and molluscsIn 2000 World aquaculture production of fish, crustaceans and molluscs –35.6 million tons in % increase since 1999 –US$ 50.9 billion, representing - 5.6% increase since 1999 China has the largest aquaculture productionChina has the largest aquaculture production –24.6 million ton (69% of world production) –US$ 24.1 billion (47% of world value due to value of carps) If you exclude China, then World Aquaculture production of fish, crustaceans and molluscusIf you exclude China, then World Aquaculture production of fish, crustaceans and molluscus –11.0 million tons - 3.3% increase since 1999 –US$ 26.7 million - 4.7% increase since 1999 In 2000 aquaculture provided 27.3% of global fisheriesIn 2000 aquaculture provided 27.3% of global fisheries –Excluding China % of global fisheries production. Indications that Chinese production statistics have been over-estimated since the 1990sIndications that Chinese production statistics have been over-estimated since the 1990s

SOURCE: USDC/NOAA/NMFS CURRENT FISHERIES STATISTICS 9600, 2002 World Production Commercial Catch Aquaculture

World Aquaculture Production by Water Types in 2000

World Production by Species Groups and Environment in 2000

Aquaculture Production in Marine and Inland Waters

World Production Compared to Chinese Production

World Aquaculture Production by Major Species Groups in 2000

Trend of World Production by Major Species Groups

Consumption

World Per Capita Consumption The total food fish supply for the world excluding China has been growing at a rate of about 2.4% per annum since 1961The total food fish supply for the world excluding China has been growing at a rate of about 2.4% per annum since 1961 –25.2 million tons in 1961 to 62.9 million tons in 2000 The population has been expanding at 1.8% per annumThe population has been expanding at 1.8% per annum Since the late 1980s population growth for the world excluding China has occasionally outpaced total food fish supplySince the late 1980s population growth for the world excluding China has occasionally outpaced total food fish supply –Resulting in a decrease in per capita fish supply from 14.6 kg per capita in 1987 to 13.1 kg in For China, the corresponding figures areFor China, the corresponding figures are –6.4% per annum increase for food fish supply –1.7% for the population.

Aquaculture’s Contribution to Per Capita Consumption 2/3 of the total food fish supply is obtained from fishing in marine and inland waters2/3 of the total food fish supply is obtained from fishing in marine and inland waters The remaining 1/3 is derived aquacultureThe remaining 1/3 is derived aquaculture The contribution of commercial capture fisheries to per caput food supply has stabilizedThe contribution of commercial capture fisheries to per caput food supply has stabilized –10-11 kg per capita in the period The contribution of aquaculture (except China) to per capita food availabilityThe contribution of aquaculture (except China) to per capita food availability –0.5 kg in 1970 to 1.8 kg in 2000 –at an average rate of 4.5% per annum. In China the per capita supply from aquaculture has increased from 1 kg to 19 kg in the same period (average growth of 11% per year)In China the per capita supply from aquaculture has increased from 1 kg to 19 kg in the same period (average growth of 11% per year)

Per Capita Consumption

Per-Capita Consumption SpeciesPounds Per-Capita Shrimp Tuna Salmon Pollock Catfish Cod Crabs Tilapia0.541 Clams Flatfish Scallops

Aquaculture’s Contribution to World Protein Supply

Nutritional Comparisons

US Aquaculture

1995 Farm Bill Proposal “Aquaculture is poised to become a major growth industry.”

U.S. Aquaculture 1998 Food Fish Production increasedFood Fish Production increased –308 million pounds in 1992 –768 million pounds in 1998 Farm-gate value increasedFarm-gate value increased –$261 million in 1992 –$978 million in 1998 –(NMFS and NASS,1999)

U.S. Aquaculture 1998 Farm Gate Value: $978 MillionFarm Gate Value: $978 Million Total Value: $5.6 BillionTotal Value: $5.6 Billion 181,000 Full-time Jobs181,000 Full-time Jobs Fastest Growing Sector Of U.S. AgricultureFastest Growing Sector Of U.S. Agriculture

Aquaculture Sales

Value by Category

Top States Source: 1998 Census of Aquaculture, USDA-NASS

Production States NORTH CENTRAL NORTHEASTERN SOUTHERN WESTERN TROPICAL & SUBTROPICAL Perch Striped Bass TilapiaTrout Catfish TilapiaClams TroutSalmonShellfish Tilapia Ornamentals, Food and Shellfish SalmonOystersClams Striped Bass OrnamentalsCobiaShrimp

Agriculture vs. Aquaculture Variable body temperatureVariable body temperature Better converters of foodstuffsBetter converters of foodstuffs Requires less energy for body supportRequires less energy for body support 1 lb feed = 1 lb fish 1 2

Species Selection Producer’s expertiseProducer’s expertise Water supply and climateWater supply and climate Species biologySpecies biology MarketabilityMarketability Production methodsProduction methods Production economicsProduction economics ?

Water Temperature Warmwater RangeWarmwater Range –Cobia –Flounder –Red Drum –Snapper –Oysters

Water Temperature Coolwater RangeCoolwater Range –Flounder –Scallops –Oysters –Sea Bass

Water Temperature Coldwater RangeColdwater Range –Atlantic Salmon –Blue Mussels –Oysters –Abalone

Types of Aquaculture FoodFood BaitBait OrnamentalsOrnamentals Stock EnhancementStock Enhancement SportSport Fee FishingFee Fishing

Food

Food Fish Species CatfishCatfish TilapiaTilapia Atlantic SalmonAtlantic Salmon ShrimpShrimp ShellfishShellfish CobiaCobia SnapperSnapper

Bait

Baitfish Species Fathead minnowsFathead minnows Golden shinersGolden shiners Brown ShrimpBrown Shrimp MulletMullet Bull minnowsBull minnows

Stock Enhancement

Pond and Lake Stockings

Pond Stocking Species Channel catfishChannel catfish Largemouth bassLargemouth bass BluegillBluegill Redear sunfishRedear sunfish Yellow perchYellow perch TroutTrout

Ornamentals

Ornamental Species GoldfishGoldfish AngelfishAngelfish CrustaceansCrustaceans GuppiesGuppies South American CatfishSouth American Catfish Clown fishClown fish 100s more100s more

Fee Fishing

Long-term leasesLong-term leases Day leases or “ticket lakes”Day leases or “ticket lakes” “Fish-out” or by the pound ponds“Fish-out” or by the pound ponds

Biological Supply Houses

Production Methods PondsPonds Cages and pensCages and pens RacewaysRaceways Closed re-use systemsClosed re-use systems Source: 1998 Census of Aquaculture, USDA-NASS

Levee Ponds

Production Phase Definition Securing and spawning of brood stockSecuring and spawning of brood stock Hatching of eggsHatching of eggs Growing fry to produce fingerlingsGrowing fry to produce fingerlings Stocking and grow-out of fingerlings to marketable sizeStocking and grow-out of fingerlings to marketable size

Ponds SpawningSpawning –Broodstock –Hatching of eggs FingerlingFingerling Grow-out to market sizeGrow-out to market size Spawning 0.1 acre Fingerling 1 acre Food size 20 acre

Carrying Capacity Maximum weight that an area can support expressed either as lbs/acre or lbs/gal/minMaximum weight that an area can support expressed either as lbs/acre or lbs/gal/min Feed and aeration 2, lbs/acre Feed2,0000lbs/acre 300 lbs/acre

Cages and Pens 4 feet

Cage and Net Pen Culture Allows existing bodies of water for productionAllows existing bodies of water for production –Lakes –Bays –Offshore Low to high investmentLow to high investment Decrease in production rates versus open pondsDecrease in production rates versus open ponds

Raceways

Raceways YieldYield –15-20,000 lbs for every 500 gallon/min flow. Earthen Raceway Concrete Raceway

Water Re-use Systems H2OH2OH2OH2O Fish Solidsfilter Bio.filter Pump

RAS Layout

Tilapia RAS Tank Aeration Biological Filters Solids Filter