Essay On Aquaculture

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants. It involves gathering freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled settings, and can be compared with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish. Farming implies some form of involvement in the nurturing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, and protection from predators. It also implies individual or business ownership of the stock being gathered. The reported output from global aquaculture operations would supply one half of the fish and shellfish that is directly consumed by humans.

The Michigan Aquaculture Association (MAA) represents producers of fish and seafood that are grown in a safe and environmentally delicate manner. The MAA supports and promotes a well-developed and sustainable aquaculture industry in the State of Michigan, through building partnerships between the industry, universities, public agencies, and consumers (Michigan Aquaculture Association, 2009). Current Michigan aquaculture activities focus on raising fish for use as bait, stocking ponds, fee fishing, and food. The major focus used to be on producing sport fish for stocking and fishing pursuits, changing population demographics and greater consumer interest in healthy diets point to future growth in producing fish for human consumption (Michigan Aquaculture Association, 2009).

Michigan is well positioned to develop a great aquaculture production. With a sufficient water supply and close locality to the population centers of the U.S. and Canada, aquaculture can be expanded to provide income and jobs throughout the state. With a targeted, organized, and sustainable growth plan, aquaculture can become a ...

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... size classes and grading to reduce aggressive behavioral interactions. Keeping nets and cages clean can support positive water flow to reduce the risk of water degradation. Not surprisingly disease and parasitism can have a major effect on fish welfare and it is important for farmers not only to manage infected stock but also to apply disease prevention measures. However, prevention methods, such as vaccination, can also induce stress because of the extra handling and injection. Many steps are involved in transport, including capture, food deprivation to reduce fecal infection of transport water, transfer to transport vehicle through nets or pumps, plus the process of transporting and transfer to the location of delivery. During transport, the water needs to be maintained to a high quality, with controlled temperature, appropriate oxygen and minimal waste products.