Some crustaceans, such as oysters, can be farmed successfully.
There are several types of aquaculture farms that raise various types of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. There are also aquaculture farms that cultivate aquatic plants such as algae. In many cases, these plants and animals are intended for human consumption, but there are some exceptions. For example, some aquaculture farms raise fish intended for use in aquariums. These types of fish are often called ornamental fish.
A piece of abalone meat. Abalone is commercially farmed for its meat.
Some of the most common aquaculture farms are fish farms, oyster farms, and shrimp farms. Farms of this type can use various methods to increase their stock. In some cases, most of the operations are carried out in tanks and facilities that are located on land. Others make use of the facilities that are along the coast. In these cases, the population breeds in a natural marine environment that is closed or otherwise regulated by fisheries.
Fish farms are a common type of aquaculture farm.
Farms that use natural marine environments to increase their stock instead of relying entirely on land-based operations are practicing what is known as mariculture. The practice falls under the umbrella of aquaculture. Products grown on these types of farms are often produced for the same purposes and sold in the same markets as products from land-based farms.
When farms grow aquatic plants, they participate in a process known as algiculture, which, like mariculture, falls under the umbrella of aquaculture. There are various uses for products that are grown on algae farms. The algae grown on these types of farms have both commercial and industrial uses. It can be used for a variety of products, from food to bioplastics.
Aquaponic farms are aquaculture farms that integrate the cultivation of plants and fish or crustaceans. These types of farms use a cyclical system in which aquatic plants and animals depend on a symbiotic relationship. The waste produced by certain types of fish, for example, can be filtered from the water by certain types of plants. In addition to filtering water and detoxifying fish, plants also rely on waste products for their nutrients. These types of aquaculture farms are usually very efficient in their use of water.