Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, algae, and other organisms of value such as aquatic plants. It involves cultivating freshwater, brackish water, and saltwater populations under controlled or semi-natural conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish. Aquaculture can be defined as the breeding, growing, and harvesting of fish and other aquatic plants, also known as farming in water. It is an environmental source of food and commercial product which helps to improve the economy.
There are two main types of aquaculture: marine and freshwater. Marine aquaculture refers to farming species that live in the ocean and estuaries, while freshwater aquaculture refers to farming species that live in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Aquaculture is used to produce food and other commercial products, restore habitat and replenish wild stocks, and rebuild populations of threatened and endangered species.
Aquaculture already provides over half of all the fish product that we eat in the world. It is the world’s fastest-growing food-producing sector, and it’s going to play a crucial role in helping to feed a planet with an ever-growing population. Aquaculture can also help to boost wild stocks of freshwater and seawater species, restore habitats, and breed fish for zoos and aquariums.
In summary, aquaculture is the controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, algae, and other organisms of value such as aquatic plants. It is an important source of food and commercial products, and can help to restore habitats and replenish wild stocks.
