What is Aquaculture?

Aquaculture is the art, science, and business of cultivating aquatic plants and animals in fresh or marine waters.

Aquaculture is practiced throughout the world.  The best regions for aquaculture are located in what are called the "temporate zones", the regions between the Arctic Circle and the Tropic of Cancer and the Antarctic Circle and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Most aquaculture produced, supplies the commercial food market.  However many governments also employ aquaculture to stock rivers, lakes, and ponds for sport fishing.   Aquaculture is also used to raise goldfish and tropical fish for decorative pools and home aquariums.

Many different kinds of sea creatures are raised through aquaculture.  Some of the more common and best know examples of aquaculture crops include:  hard clam (quahog), oyster, scallop, soft shell clam, surf clam, blue mussel, summer flounder, carp, trout, catfish, striped bass, tilapia, salmon, cod, halibut, lobster, and prawn.

Some cultured species are farmed only during specific stages of their life cycle.  Others are farmed throughout their entire life cycle (from egg and sperm to adult).

Aquaculture is an environmentally friendly and sustainable industry that provides jobs and supplies the marketplace with quality products grown in clean waters.