Intro/history of Aquaculture Aquaculture The art and science of rearing aquatic organisms (finfish, shellfish, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, and plants) under controlled conditions. History of Aquaculture First practiced by the Chinese 3,500 to 4,000 years ago Oysters were farmed in Japan about 3,000 years ago and by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago

United States/North America 1850s - first attempt at artificial propagation (Dr. Theodatus Garlick) - Brook trout - Spring fed ponds (Cleveland, Ohio) 1864 – First public hatchery was built in New York - - Atlantic Salmon fry produced for enhancement efforts on the Merrimac River - High profits - Intro/history of Aquaculture

Formation of the “American Fish Cultural Society” - Began to apply the scientific method to aquaculture production th century – Intro/history of Aquaculture

Commercial (foodfish) production Followed AFS development and used techniques and methods established through government and academic research Foodfish production worldwide Purpose of Aquaculture

Important culture species (3 phyla represented) 1.Mollusca 2.Arthropoda (crustaceans) 3.Chordata Purpose of Aquaculture

Aquaculture Mollusca Scallops Abalone

Aquaculture Important culture species Arthropoda (crustaceans) Lobster

Aquaculture Important culture species Chordata Channel catfish Atlantic salmon Tilapia Carp

Aquaculture Aquaculture (fish and shellfish) Global production has doubled in past 15 years > 220 species of finfish and shellfish are farmed US (commercial finfish): Production estimates (1991): 543,770 tons valued at approximately $750,250,000

Aquaculture Catfish - Dominant species cultured in United States In late 1950s the methodology for catfish culture in the US was developed At that time, it was demonstrated that a profit could be made if producers received $1.10/kg Today:

Aquaculture Rainbow trout Important species in the US, Northern Europe, Chile, etc. Freshwater Also raised in other regions for food and sport. Australia (Tasmania) New Zealand

Aquaculture Rainbow trout Idaho is one of the major trout producing region in US/world. Constant temperature (15 o C) spring water year- round ,400 tons/yr. 1990s > 10,000 tons/yr.

Aquaculture Atlantic Salmon Industry has rapidly expanded in last decade High tech Net pen culture (primarily foodfish)

Aquaculture Other commercial species Ornamental species Florida – raise > 100 species >$100 million/yr (1998) Value –

Aquaculture Carp and Tilapia Important species in Middle East, China, Japan, etc. Grass Carp (in US) Aquatic vegetation control Tilapia Often used as protein supplement for third world regions

Commercial Fisheries Goal – increase or sustain commercially important species (other than salmon) Concept Being re-considered Offspring – increased survival Species Flounder Cod Haddock Rockfish Purpose of Aquaculture

Recreational Fisheries Goal – Stocking for angling public Put and take Stock catchable size fish that are available immediately Chase hatchery trucks Recreation for the “non” purists Provides some states alternative experience Seasons that provide proper environmental conditions Spring – trout in some states (trout stamp) Purpose of Aquaculture

Recreational Fisheries Put-Grow-and take Stock at small size (fingerlings) allow to grow to large size Close harvest of small fish (size restrictions) Ex: Stock fingerling Northern pike in Midwest Coho Salmon and SH in Great Lakes (1980s) Both approaches provide angling opportunities in waters that may not support sustainable populations Purpose of Aquaculture

Augmentation Used in waters that can support sustainable populations but where fishing pressure results in unbalanced populations Ex: Largemouth bass Fishing lowers bass pop. even though forage base is good Purpose of Aquaculture

Mitigation/supplementation Human activities – destruction or alteration of fish habitat Ex: Loss of upstream access by anadromous fishes Decreased access to spawning habitat Change from riverine to reservoir habitat Increased turbidity (Ag and industry runoff) Purpose of Aquaculture

Mitigation/supplementation 1938 – Congress passed legislation that mandated for losses of renewable aquatic resources due to reduction of upstream access for migratory salmonids Results – “In-kind” mitigation Impacted species – re-stocked May also occur if human activities take water body out of production – filling lake for construction Purpose of Aquaculture

Pacific Salmon (Coho, Chinook, Chum, Pink, Sockeye) Primarily reared and released for mitigation purposes Pacific Northwest, Canada (BC), Alaska Great Lakes (1967) – recreational fisheries Purpose of Aquaculture

Species Recovery (ESA) Habitat Hydro Hatcheries One action taken to enhance recovery Genetic diversity – important Ex: Sockeye Salmon – 1990s to present (Redfish Lake) Lonely Larry Cryopreserved semen for next season Offspring survival important Purpose of Aquaculture

Population assessment Cultured fish can be marked and used to assess populations in wild Recapture of tagged/untagged fish used to estimate populations Examples of marking methods: External tags Fin clips Branding Purpose of Aquaculture

Research Many Scientists are increasingly using fish as laboratory animals Fish may be good models Fast regeneration times Ex: Japanese medaka Zebrafish KIllifish, Goldfish Purpose of Aquaculture