Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture involves cultivating fed species with extractive species that utilize inorganic and organic wastes for their growth.
Algae offer advantages over terrestrial plants for biofuel production: short generation cycles and fast population growth. Algal fuel production would spare corn and soybeans for consumption as food for humans.
Auburn University researched how to improve economic efficiency and profitability of catfish production with in-pond raceway systems. IPRS systems help achieve high levels of feed performance and fish survival, and lower production costs.
Membrane biological reactors provide wastewater treatment by utilizing activated sludge to remove nitrogen, phosphorus and biological oxygen demand. The reactors also have the potential for nearly complete water recovery in fish culture systems.
A study examined the effects of removing suspended solids using side-stream settling chambers in a superintensive biofloc shrimp system. The chambers reduced nitrate-nitrogen and phosphate concentrations and improved shrimp growth rate and biomass.
Although higher rates have been promoted, pond fertilization ratios of 2:1 or 1:1 nitrogen to phosphorus should be maintained in older ponds for food fish production.
Production of Pacific white shrimp in near-shore floating cages at sea was shown technically and economically feasible at small scale for several growing cycles, as managed by artisanal fishers and their families on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Juvenile blue crabs prefered floats containing three-dimensional structure provided by oysters and shells, which helped provide refuge from predators.
Based on the need to utilize thousands of used plastic feed bags rather than dispose of them, VIMIFOS began selling the bags to companies that reprocess them into pellets used to make plastic utensils.
Life cycle assessment studies the environmental and other potential impacts throughout a product’s life, starting at raw material and following it through production, use and disposal.
The regulatory system for aquaculture in New Zealand addresses social and cultural factors through legislation and policies that strongly utilize public consultation. The indigenous Mäori people, for example, play an integral role in aquaculture development.
Water temperature is a key water quality variable in aquaculture because it influences other variables, defines growing seasons and dictates what species can be grown at a particular location.
The split-pond culture system offers several advantages over traditional fish ponds. Aerating the small fish-confinement area is more effective at maintaining adequate levels of dissolved oxygen than in traditional ponds.
Prawn-fish-rice farming is considered highly efficient in terms of resource utilization through the complementary use of land and water. Integrated prawn farming plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh, earning foreign exchange, increasing food production and providing employment opportunities.
Although essential, emergency backup systems do not have to be complicated or expensive. For power loss, automated phone dialers alert off-site staff. Backup electric generators provide needed power for aerators, pumps and other equipment.
Although 16.6 million metric tons of carbon are annually buried in aquaculture ponds, estimated carbon emissions for culture species have approached several metric tons of carbon per metric ton of aquaculture product.