Aquaculture

People farm in the water.

This is called aquaculture. It is like farming on land. People grow fish and shrimp. They also grow plants like seaweed.

Some farms use big tanks on land. Other farms use cages in the ocean. This helps us have more food. It can also help save rare sea life. It is a very big job for the world.

People farm in the water. This is called aquaculture. It is different from fishing. Fishing means catching wild fish from the sea. Aquaculture means growing things in a controlled way.

People grow many things this way. They grow fish, shrimp, and oysters. They also grow aquatic plants like seaweed.

Some farms are on land. They use big tanks or ponds. People control the water and the food. Other farms are in the ocean. They use cages or nets in the water.

These ocean farms use natural currents. This helps the plants and animals grow. Aquaculture helps provide food for the world. It can also help save rare species. In 2022, the world produced 130.9 million tonnes of these products. This is a very big industry. It helps meet the high demand for seafood.

Scientists work to make it better. They want to keep the water clean. They also find new ways to feed the fish.

Aquaculture is the way people farm living things in the water. It is a way to grow fish, shrimp, oysters, and even plants like seaweed. This is different from commercial fishing, which is catching wild animals from the sea. People use aquaculture to provide food for a growing world. It can also help restore nature by helping endangered species grow in number.

This work is very important for many people around the globe.

There are several ways to run an aquaculture farm. Some farms are built on land, which is called onshore aquaculture. These farms use things like fish tanks, ponds, or long paths called raceways. On land, people can control the water temperature and oxygen levels. Other farms are in the ocean, known as inshore or offshore aquaculture.

Offshore farms use cages, racks, or bags in open water. These animals experience natural ocean currents and nutrient cycles.

Humans have been domesticating animals on land for a very long time. However, most seafood was still caught from the wild until recently. In 1973, the explorer Jacques Cousteau said we must use new technology to feed people. Since then, many species have been brought into farming. About 430 species were domesticated during the 20th and 21st centuries. This movement is sometimes called a "Blue Revolution." It is similar to the Green Revolution that changed land farming.

Aquaculture is a massive global industry with huge numbers. In 2019, the world produced over 120 million tonnes of products. This was worth about US$274 billion at that time. By 2022, the amount rose to 130.9 million tonnes. This growth was worth about USD 312.8 billion.

Many different things are grown, such as carp, salmon, and tilapia. Shrimp farming is also a major part of this global work.

Scientists are working hard to make aquaculture better for the planet. They want to find new ways to feed fish without using too many wild fish. Some people are even using plants and insects for fish food. They also use special fish, like wrasse, to help keep salmon healthy.

Managing these farms helps meet the high demand for protein. It connects how we eat with how we care for our oceans.

Aquaculture, often called aquafarming, is the controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms. This practice involves farming living things like fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and algae. It can take place in freshwater, brackish water, or saltwater environments. Unlike commercial fishing, which harvests wild populations, aquaculture involves human intervention. This intervention includes regular stocking, feeding, and protection from predators.

People use aquaculture to provide food and commercial products. It also serves to restore marine ecosystems and reconstruct endangered species populations.

Farmers use different methods depending on the environment and the species. Onshore aquaculture occurs in artificial facilities built on land. These include fish tanks, ponds, aquaponics, or raceways. In these settings, humans control water quality, oxygen, feed, and temperature. Inshore aquaculture happens in sheltered, shallow waters near the shore. These environments are more naturalistic than land-based tanks.

Offshore aquaculture takes place in enclosed sections of open water. Here, species live in cages, racks, or bags. They are exposed to natural ocean currents and nutrient cycles.

There are many specialized types of aquaculture. Mariculture refers specifically to farming in seawater habitats and lagoons. Pisciculture is a type of aquaculture focused on raising fish for food. Algaculture involves the farming of algae, such as seaweed. Some methods integrate different types of farming together. Aquaponics and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture combine fish farming with aquatic plant farming.

These systems create a more complex and efficient way to grow food.

Historically, most seafood was caught from the wild rather than farmed. In 1973, explorer Jacques Cousteau noted that growing human populations would require new ocean technologies. This led to a period of rapid domestication. About 430 species were domesticated during the 20th and 21st centuries. This movement is sometimes called a "Blue Revolution."

It is compared to the Green Revolution that transformed land-based agriculture.

Aquaculture has become a massive global industry with significant economic value. In 2019, global output exceeded 120 million tonnes, valued at US$274 billion. By 2022, production rose to 130.9 million tonnes. This growth increased the value to USD 312.8 billion.

The industry's growth is driven by the high demand for protein. However, scientists must ensure that growth is sustainable for the planet.

Different species are raised using specific techniques. Fish farming is the most common form, with carp, salmon, tilapia, and catfish being very important. In the Mediterranean, bluefin tuna are netted and grown in offshore pens. Salmon are often grown in netted cages in open water with strong flows.

Shrimp farming is another major sector. Most farmed shrimp are penaeids, such as the Pacific white shrimp. About 75% of farmed shrimp comes from Asia, particularly China and Thailand.

While aquaculture helps meet food needs, it faces environmental challenges. Some practices can cause nutrient pollution or spread diseases to wild populations. Currently, producing one kilogram of piscivorous fish like salmon requires several kilograms of wild fish. To fix this, researchers are developing plant and insect-based feeds.

Biological controls, such as using cleaner fish to manage parasites, are also used. These efforts aim to balance food production with ocean health.