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5.16 Aquaculture

2 min readjanuary 5, 2023

M

Mark Little

M

Mark Little

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Loch_Ainort_fish_farm_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1800327.jpg

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

is sometimes called aquafarming. It involves the farming of fish, aquatic plants, Mollusca (clams), crustaceans (lobsters and shrimp), and many other freshwater and saltwater species. Populations of fish are raised under very controlled conditions verses commercial fishing, which is the catching of “wild” fish, plants, or other aquatic plants or animals.

There are several different types of systems, including:

  1. Freshwater : This involves raising aquatic organisms in a freshwater environment, such as a pond or tank.

  2. Marine : This involves raising aquatic organisms in a saltwater environment, such as an ocean cage.

can be an important source of food and income for communities around the world. It can also help to reduce pressure on wild fish populations and provide a more sustainable source of seafood. It could lead to and disease if not managed well.

Benefits

There are benefits and concerns about . One benefit is that it is extremely efficient. Aquacultures create a healthy habitat that is raising healthy fish populations. Aquafarming helps restock depleted or threatened populations of fish that may be considered endangered. Finally, there can be economic benefits to the individuals and communities where is being done.

Concerns

There are concerns about aquafarming too. One is controlling the waste from the fishing. The waste can be damaging to the surrounding ecosystems. Aquacultures can destroy habitat and with all the fish in close proximity, it is really easy to transfer a disease from fish to fish. Finally, if farm raised fish escape into the wild, they can change the genetics of the wild fish. fish are generally one genetic makeup and do not have any . This means if the farm raised fish escape and breed with wild fish, the of the wild fish will decrease.

🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science - Agricultural Practices I

Key Terms to Review (5)

Aquaculture

: Aquaculture, also known as fish farming, is the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in controlled environments. It involves raising these organisms for food production or conservation purposes.

Biodiversity

: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms in a particular ecosystem or on Earth as a whole. It includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Eutrophication

: Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae and other plants due to an increase in nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) in a body of water, leading to harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems.

Habitat destruction

: Habitat destruction refers to the process of damaging or eliminating natural habitats, such as forests, wetlands, or coral reefs. It often occurs due to human activities like deforestation, urbanization, or pollution.

Sustainable seafood

: Sustainable seafood refers to seafood that is caught or farmed using methods that do not harm the environment or deplete fish populations. It ensures that fishing practices are managed responsibly for long-term ecological balance.

5.16 Aquaculture

2 min readjanuary 5, 2023

M

Mark Little

M

Mark Little

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Loch_Ainort_fish_farm_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1800327.jpg

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

is sometimes called aquafarming. It involves the farming of fish, aquatic plants, Mollusca (clams), crustaceans (lobsters and shrimp), and many other freshwater and saltwater species. Populations of fish are raised under very controlled conditions verses commercial fishing, which is the catching of “wild” fish, plants, or other aquatic plants or animals.

There are several different types of systems, including:

  1. Freshwater : This involves raising aquatic organisms in a freshwater environment, such as a pond or tank.

  2. Marine : This involves raising aquatic organisms in a saltwater environment, such as an ocean cage.

can be an important source of food and income for communities around the world. It can also help to reduce pressure on wild fish populations and provide a more sustainable source of seafood. It could lead to and disease if not managed well.

Benefits

There are benefits and concerns about . One benefit is that it is extremely efficient. Aquacultures create a healthy habitat that is raising healthy fish populations. Aquafarming helps restock depleted or threatened populations of fish that may be considered endangered. Finally, there can be economic benefits to the individuals and communities where is being done.

Concerns

There are concerns about aquafarming too. One is controlling the waste from the fishing. The waste can be damaging to the surrounding ecosystems. Aquacultures can destroy habitat and with all the fish in close proximity, it is really easy to transfer a disease from fish to fish. Finally, if farm raised fish escape into the wild, they can change the genetics of the wild fish. fish are generally one genetic makeup and do not have any . This means if the farm raised fish escape and breed with wild fish, the of the wild fish will decrease.

🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science - Agricultural Practices I

Key Terms to Review (5)

Aquaculture

: Aquaculture, also known as fish farming, is the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in controlled environments. It involves raising these organisms for food production or conservation purposes.

Biodiversity

: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms in a particular ecosystem or on Earth as a whole. It includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Eutrophication

: Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae and other plants due to an increase in nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) in a body of water, leading to harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems.

Habitat destruction

: Habitat destruction refers to the process of damaging or eliminating natural habitats, such as forests, wetlands, or coral reefs. It often occurs due to human activities like deforestation, urbanization, or pollution.

Sustainable seafood

: Sustainable seafood refers to seafood that is caught or farmed using methods that do not harm the environment or deplete fish populations. It ensures that fishing practices are managed responsibly for long-term ecological balance.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.