Sometimes known as aquafarming, aquaculture is the farming of fish, seaweed, and other aquatic species in all types of water environments.
The United States Department of Agriculture defines aquaculture as "the production of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions throughout part or all of their lifecycle," while Britannica describes it as "the propagation and husbandry of aquatic plants, animals, and other organisms for commercial, recreational, and scientific purposes."
Although aquaculture has existed since as far back as 500 BC, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that it achieved commercial significance. As the demand for seafood has increased, aquaculture technology has enabled fishing industries to go beyond harvesting fish and other seafood species in the wild, to grow and cultivate food in coastal marine waters and the open ocean, as well as artificial marine and freshwater environments.
Aquaculture methods have also been used to restore natural habitats, replenish wild stocks, and rebuild the genetic stock of endangered species.
In the United States, common aquaculture species include clams, oysters, mussels, shrimp, and various species of edible algae or seaweeds, as well as black sea bass, pompano, sablefish, salmon, and yellowtail. Shellfish can be farmed by seeding small shellfish on the sea floor or growing them in floating cages or cages placed at the bottom of the sea. Marine fish farming is generally accomplished in net pens in the water or in tanks on land.
Fish farming differs from commercial fishing in that the former is the farming of fish, or other aquatic plants and organisms, under controlled conditions. At the same time, the latter refers to wild-caught fish from a natural habitat, such as rivers, lakes, or oceans.
Aquaculture can be carried out in artificial environments built on land, using fish tanks, ponds, aquaponics, or raceways, where aquafarmers are responsible for controlling the water quality, temperature, oxygen levels, and feed. They can also be situated on sheltered waters near the shore of a body of water, or within fenced sections of open water away from the shore.
Today, approximately ninety percent of shrimp consumed in the United States is farmed and imported, while US freshwater aquaculture produces catfish and trout, largely utilizing ponds or other man-made systems. More than four hundred aquatic species are farmed around the world, in the ocean, along the coast, or in freshwater on land. More than sixty percent comes from inland ponds or freshwater tanks, while marine and coastal aquaculture (mariculture) account for the rest.
Although China, Indonesia, and the Philippines are the largest algae producers, there are algae farms in several other countries. Seaweed, a type of algae, is especially easy to grow. The most commonly cultivated seaweed grown in the United States is sugar kelp, a fast-growing annual crop with a two-month harvesting window. Farmed seaweed is used in industrial products, as food, as an ingredient in animal feed, and as source material for biofuels.
Aquaculture businesses and industries are the focus of topics in this portion of our web guide.
Recommended Resources
Funded by the Government of Canada, the aquaculture trade magazine is available in digital and print media by subscription. Published in Canada, the publication is for aquaculture trade professionals throughout North America, informing of industry news and developments in each of the Canadian provinces, and states in the United States and Mexico. Subscriptions are available online, along with industry news, webinars, events, podcasts, job opportunities, and advertising possibilities.
https://www.aquaculturenorthamerica.com/
The marine consultancy provides a suite of client services leading through the entire aquaculture and renewable energy licensing process, offering in-depth sectoral knowledge, legal compliance expertise, advocacy skills, and clear communication skills. Electronic brochures on environmental leadership, renewable energy and aquaculture licensing and support, stakeholder engagement, innovation project development, ROV services, and aquaculture consultancy services are available.
https://aqualicense.com/
West Valley Farms is a high-tech shrimp operation in Gila Bend, Arizona that produces locally grown, locally based, and antibiotic-free shrimp that can be shipped nationally. The sustainability of its products is discussed, and its products include whole fresh shrimp, headless fresh shrimp, whole frozen shrimp, and headless frozen shrimp, which may be purchased online. Prices and other details are offered. Its corporate address is published, and an online contact form is available.
https://arizonadesertshrimp.com/
California Aquaculture Association
The CAA promotes the production of plants and animals in aquatic systems. Its membership includes growers of various species of finfish, shellfish, and seaweed for a variety of applications, such as pond and lake stocking, ocean restoration projects, climate change mitigation, and supplying seafood to restaurants, chefs, and consumers. Membership categories are explained, an online contact form Is available, and live auctions may be viewed online. Recipes are posted on the site.
https://caaquaculture.org/
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
The CAIA is a national association that speaks for Canada's seafood farmers, representing the interests of the industry in Ottawa to regulators and political leaders. Its membership consists of Finnish, shellfish, and aquatic plant farmers from coast to coast, as well as industry associations. A member list, its board of directors, youth council, and membership policies are set forth. Several informational articles are included about seafood and other aquatic foods.
https://www.aquaculture.ca/
The trade magazine focuses exclusively on the early rearing (hatchery) side of the aquaculture industry, the enhancement of fisheries, and recirculation technology. Published six times a year, the publication includes technical articles, product information, and research data from around the world. A subscription form may be submitted online, and a link to digital editions is provided. Products, events, webinars, videos, and both job and advertising opportunities are included.
https://www.hatcheryinternational.com/
Operating year-round, the Hallettsville, Texas fish hatchery has been in operation for more than three decades. The company assists individuals to design their lake or pond, as well as those who own existing ponds, specializing in electro-shocking surveys to gain the information necessary to put a water body on course with the desired needs. Its hybrid blue catfish and other fish species are highlighted, along with other products and services. Hours and contacts are included.
https://hennekehatchery.com/
International Seaweed Association
The ISA is an international organization charged with encouraging research and development into seaweed and seaweed products. The ISA also organizes a 3-yearly International Seaweed Symposium, which has been held throughout the world. The proceedings of the Symposia are published under the title of "Proceedings of the International Seaweed Symposium," while selected papers are published in the "Journal of Applied Phycology." Membership information, member profiles, and a forum are available.
https://isaseaweed.org/
National Aquaculture Association
Organized to advocate for aquaculture, protecting its profitability, and encouraging its development in an environmentally responsible manner. Policy statements on several issues are published, and its board of directors, committees, and staff are introduced. A list of aquaculture farms that may be visited, as trails, are listed, and links to individual websites are included, several questions about aquaculture and U.S. aquaculture are featured, and contacts are provided.
https://thenaa.net/
National Shellfisheries Association
Formed in 1908, the international organization is made up of scientists, industry management officials, other members of the shellfisheries industry, and individuals concerned with the biology, ecology, production, economics, and management of shellfish resources, such as clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, snails, shrimp, lobsters, crabs, and other species. Membership benefits, officers and committee members, bylaws, strategic plan, and a history of the organization are featured.
https://www.shellfish.org/
Situated in Buffalo, Texas, the fishery offers professional live fish stocking services, fish packing services, a live fish market, and custom management services, such as on-site consultation, water quality testing, electrofishing surveys, aquatic vegetation management, agricultural lime applications, and the clearing of muddy waters from lakes and ponds. Its products are listed. Private parties may be arranged for daily fishing events. Prices, rules, and booking procedures are outlined.
https://overtonfisheries.com/
Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association
Representing shellfish growers in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, the PCSGA was founded in 1930 to work on behalf of its members on a variety of issues, such as environmental protection, shellfish safety, regulations, technology, and marketing. Member benefits are posted on the site, which includes a calendar of events, the history of the organization, its research priorities, staff, and contacts are included, along with other resources.
https://pcsga.org/
Tracking the seaweed economy, the newsletter and seaweed database was developed to improve communication between the various parts of the value chain, academia, business, investors, government, and the rest of the world. Created during the Covid-19 shutdown on travel in 2020, a grant was received from the ClimateWorks Foundation in 2021 to expand the database, which may be accessed through the site, with expanded filtering capabilities available through Airtable. A blog is also available.
https://phyconomy.net/
Established as Professional Aquaculture Services in 1988, the company produces, sells, and distributes fin fish, as well as provides consulting and marketing services. Maintained by Tony Vaught, who has been involved in the industry since 1978, the company markets to federal or state enhancement projects, private lakes and ponds, fish farms, and the exporting of fry and fingerlings, live fish markets, and marketing and consulting services, each of which is highlighted here.
https://www.proaqua.com/
Begun as a blog by Dan Hagen, a marine biologist, in 2005, the original goal was to discuss the feeding, breeding, and caring for dwarf shrimp with fellow hobbyists but has since changed hands over the years, while retaining its original purpose, although adding to it. Today, it adds products, including freshwater aquarium shrimp, freshwater fish, crayfish, snails, plants, kits, and accessory items, as well as informational articles. Shipping information is included and live product guarantees.
https://www.theshrimpfarm.com/
United States Aquaculture Society
A chapter of the World Aquaculture Society, the USAS provides a national forum for the exchange of relevant information among agriculture researchers, students, and members of the aquaculture industry in the United States. The organization sponsors and convenes workshops and meetings facilitates educational opportunities, and publishes aquaculture-related materials important to the development of aquaculture in the United States. An organizational brochure and member survey may be downloaded.
https://www.usaquaculture.org/
United States Trout Farmers Association
Established by trout farmers in 1954, the USTFA has members in most states and some foreign countries. Membership includes individuals and companies involved in producing, raising, processing, and marketing trout for eggs, broodstock, recreation, and food. Association members receive a subscription to "Trout Talk," a free listing within the products & services directory, reduced rates at annual meetings, and promotional materials. The history of the organization is presented.
https://ustfa.org/
Founded in 1969, WAS was originally known as the World Mariculture Society, and currently has members in about a hundred countries, with chapters in the United States, Japan, Korea, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asian Pacific, and Africa. Membership benefits are outlined, a member list is published, and an overview of the organization is provided. Its officers, directors, committees, and staff are introduced. Its publications, employment opportunities, and an online member store are featured.
https://www.was.org/
