Aquaculture

Aquaculture is like farming for fish and other water animals. Instead of catching fish from the wild, people grow them in special places. These places can be tanks, ponds, or even the ocean. We call this aquafarming.

Aquaculture helps us get more fish and other sea foods. It is important because wild fish are hard to catch in big numbers. People farm many kinds of sea animals, like fish, shrimp, and oysters. They also grow water plants, such as seaweed.

Where Does It Happen?

Aquaculture can happen in many places. Some farms are on land, with fish in tanks or ponds. Others are in the water, close to the shore or far out in the ocean. Farmers use cages or bags to keep the fish safe. In places like Chile, fish farms are in the ocean near Castro.

Why Is It Important?

Aquaculture helps give us food and creates jobs. Many people work on fish farms around the world. It also helps keep wild fish populations healthy by not taking too many from the ocean. For example, in China, aquaculture has been a big part of the economy for many years.

Fun Facts

Fish Farms: The most common fish farmed are carp, salmon, tilapia, and catfish.
Seaweed Farming: People have farmed seaweed for a very long time. In Korea, they use bamboo sticks to grow seaweed called "gim."
Helping the Ocean: Farming oysters and mussels can clean the water. These animals eat tiny bits of pollution and help keep the ocean healthy.