Fish Farming: Types, Significance, and Best Practices

Types of fish farming can be distinguished based on investment, fish density per unit area, and product destination. The degree of intensification, which is determined by feeding practices, is a key characteristic.

Fish production is divided into three sectors according to the level of intensity:

a) Artisanal (small scale):

This technique is primarily used in suburban areas and provides an optimal setting for input supply and fish marketing. It is a small-scale sector typically organized by family units and requires labor-intensive work. The two sub-sectors are riverine and lake canoe fisheries, and flood pond fisheries, the latter being seasonal and based on flood plains utilization.

b) Aquaculture (fish farming):

Aquaculture refers to the cultivation of fish for food in controlled environments. The process involves selecting suitable pond construction sites, correctly building the ponds, stocking them with appropriate species, providing proper feeding, managing water and pond bottom, and harvesting mature fish. This industry involves various stakeholders and professionals such as pond engineers, fish health experts, nutritionists, and geneticists.

Aquaculture is not intended to replace traditional fishing methods but rather to supplement animal protein supply. The FAO defines aquaculture as the cultivation of aquatic organisms including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants. The term "culture" implies intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as restocking, feeding, and predator protection. It also implies individual or legal ownership of the breeding stock.

c) Industrial fish farming:

The fish farming sector focuses on large-scale production units and economic objectives. Fish farming serves as a means of production as well as a tool for development. While low-tech methods were previously believed to be sufficient for fish farming, advanced intensive fish farming models have proven to be more effective.

Intensive systems are easier to transfer due to well-defined components and controlled environments, such as cages in lakes or rivers. Although intensive systems have higher production costs, they also yield higher outputs.

Intensive fish farming faces initial obstacles such as the risk of diseases and high investment costs, which may take several years to become productive. It requires training technicians, establishing processing and marketing facilities, and provisions for preservation and transportation.

Industrial uses of fish include fish meal production, minced fish products, salted press cake, fish protein concentrates, and oil products such as OMEGA-3 and Cod liver oil.

The significance of fish:

1. Source of protein: Fish is the cheapest compared to other protein sources like poultry, meat, beef, pork, and mutton.
2. Employment: It creates jobs for fishermen, workers in research institutions, universities, education centers, and cold store employees.
3. Income generation: Provides income for state and local governments and serves as a source of foreign exchange earnings through exportation.
4. International cooperation: Allows African countries to participate in international organizations like FAO, UNDP, and IFAD, which provide funds for rural development in the fisheries sector.
5. Rural development: Assists in improving the livelihoods of fishermen and related stakeholders through direct government interventions.
6. Food security: Contributes to food availability, employment, and income, and provides highly nutritious animal protein and important micronutrients.

Types of cultural fish production practices:

a) Traditional pisciculture: This practice can be implemented in all types of water bodies with low production, relying on naturally available food.

b) Intensive culture: Fish farming involves cultivating various species based on market demand, supply, and profitability. Success depends on adequate fish feed, organic fertilizer, and a perennial water source. The water source must be carefully chosen and not used for other purposes.

c) Composite culture/polyculture: This farming system raises six species, including major carp and exotic carp species. Different levels of feeder fish enhance production, allowing full utilization of feed. It produces fry, fingerlings, and table-size fish. Advantages of composite culture include full water body utilization, increased income for the farmer, and optimum production. However, it requires more income to operate, multiple harvestings, more time, labor, and a large water body.

d) Integrated culture: This practice involves keeping fish along with other farm businesses such as rice growing, vegetable growing, cattle keeping, and poultry rearing. It can be done using locally available resources. Advantages of integrated culture include the mixing of multiple farming types in one area, efficient land, and water utilization, and an additional source of income. Disadvantages include the need for more labor, capital, and the tiring nature of the practice.

e) Mono-species culture: In this type, a single species, such as catfish or a specific exotic species, is cultured. Advantages include lower energy requirements, ease of harvest, and time-saving. Disadvantages include competition for food among the species on the site, underutilization of water levels, and lower production compared to polyculture.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of fish farming practices is crucial for successful fish production. Whether it's small-scale artisanal farming, controlled environment aquaculture, or industrial fish farming, each approach has its own benefits and challenges.

Fish farming plays a significant role in providing protein, employment, income generation, and food security. By adopting appropriate fish farming techniques and considering factors such as feeding, pond management, and market demand, farmers can contribute to the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry while meeting the increasing global demand for fish products.