Aquaculture is the process of rearing, breeding, and harvesting aquatic species in controlled aquatic environments like oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. The main objective of aquaculture is to produce a marketable commodity for financial profit. However, it also serves other purposes, including:
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Food production: Aquaculture is an important source of food, and it can help to meet the increasing demand for seafood.
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Restoration of threatened and endangered species populations: Aquaculture can be used to restore populations of threatened and endangered species.
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Wild stock population enhancement: Aquaculture can be used to enhance wild stock populations.
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Building of aquariums: Aquaculture can be used to build aquariums.
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Habitat restoration: Aquaculture can be used to restore aquatic habitats.
In addition to these purposes, aquaculture can also help to increase foreign exchange earnings, increase producers incomes, provide employment opportunities, and secure supplies of fish for domestic consumption. Aquaculture can also reduce the dependency on other sources of water supply and maintain soil moisture in their vicinity, thereby conserving natural resources.
