Question

What is pisciculture?

Answer 1

Fish farming:

1. About half of the fish eaten today is raised globally through fish farming.
2. Some of the most common fish species that are farmed include tuna, salmon, halibut, cod, and trout.
3. The aquafarms can be in a variety of forms such as mesh cages submerged in water or solid enclosures on land.
4. However, the fish farms can cause damage to the ecosystem by causing diseases, bringing in pollutants and invasive species.

Methods of fish farming:

Fish farming involves the following methods:

1. Extensive fish farming:

1. In this method of farming, economic and labour inputs are low.
2. Natural food production plays an important role in this type of farming.
3. Fertilizers can also be added to increase the fertility and hence, the production of fish.

2. Semi-intensive fish farming:

1. This method includes mediocre levels of economic and labour inputs.
2. The production can be improved by supplementary feeding or by adding fertilizers.
3. Thus, the yield of fish is higher.

3. Intensive fish farming:

1. In this method, the ponds are filled with as many fishes as possible.
2. The fish are provided with supplementary feed.

Fish production:

1. Fishes are a rich source of protein and have a high nutritional value.
2. In early times, the production of fish was highly dependent on manual methods i.e catching fish.
3. However, most of the captured fish were used for commercial purposes and were barely eaten.
4. Thus, another method to improve the production of fish was made that includes farming and husbandry of aquatic organisms that have economical importance.
5. This process is known as aquaculture.

Methods of fish production

Fish production can be done in two ways:

1. Capture fishery:

1. Fishes growing in a natural environment are harvested by capture fishery.
2. This method is also known as a wild fishery.

2. Culture fishery:

1. It is the cultivation of fish in water bodies under a controlled environment.
2. It is also known as fish farming or pisciculture.

The fishery is further divided into:

1. Inland fishery

2. Marine fishery

Inland fishery:

1. In this technique, fishes are captured in freshwater bodies, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and tanks.
2. The method used here is generally pisciculture since the capture fishery doesn't give a high yield.
3. 5-6 species of fish are reared in one water body.
4. While selecting fish species, it is kept in mind that they do not compete with other fish's nutritional requirements.
5. Common species reared are Rohu, Catla, Grass Carp, Common Carp, etc.

Marine fishery:

1. In the Indian peninsula, we have a coastline of 7517 km. Thus, fishing comes out as a source of livelihood for about 14 million people.
2. The marine fishery is further divided into coastal fisheries, which are closer to the shore and off-shore or deep-sea fisheries, which are farther or deeper in the sea.
3. Sardines, mackerel, tuna, Pomfret, mussels, prawns, oysters, etc. are some common types.
4. Echo-sounders and satellites are used to locate the large fishes in the sea, to increase the yield.

Advantages of fish farming:

1. The farmed fish is rich in high-quality protein, thus ideal for human consumption.
2. Fish farming can be inculcated in the already existing farm to make additional income and improve the management of water.
3. The farmers can select the desired species of fish.
4. Fishes in a pond are also safe from predators. Thus, they are secure and can be harvested when required.