Aquaculture BAG211

Learn to manage and develop a successful aquaculture enterprise. Aquaculture describes the farming of water creatures for human consumption. During this course, you will learn to culture and care for fresh water aquatic species, with advice on the best species to farm. You will develop your ability to analyse and make decisions about the development and management of freshwater aquaculture enterprises (e.g. fish farms) independently. Course Structure There are 10 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Aquaculture
2. Production Systems - EP and IP
3. What Species to Farm
4. Trout
5. Barramundi
6. Bass
7. Freshwater Crayfish
8. Setting Up a Fish Farm
9. Fish Foods & Feeding
10. Harvesting

Aims

• Explain different aquaculture production systems.
• Explain the cultural requirements of different types of fish suitable for aquaculture.
• Explain cultural practices for freshwater crayfish.
• Explain different factors affecting the vigour of animals in an aquaculture farm.
• Explain methods, including feeding and harvesting, used to manage freshwater animal populations.
• Develop informed management decisions for an aquaculture enterprise.

What the Course Covers

Here are just some of the things you will be doing:

• Explain the importance of correct feed to the success of a specified aquaculture enterprise.
• List the components of an aquaculture production system.
• Compare extensive production systems with intensive production systems.
• Assess the production systems used in three different aquaculture enterprises.
• Research and describe a successful aquaculture production system.
• List freshwater fish suitable for aquaculture in your region.
• List saltwater fish suitable for aquaculture in your region.
• Describe the requirements for different commonly grown freshwater fish, including: *Trout *Barramundi *Bass.
• Describe the requirements of one type of salt water fish which has commercial potential for farming.
• Distinguish, by labeling unlabelled diagrams, between visual characteristics of different freshwater crayfish, including: *Marron *Red claw *Yabbie
• Describe the cultural practices for different freshwater crayfish, including: *Marron *Red claw *Yabbie.
• Explain how water quality may affect production in an aquaculture system.
• Explain different methods of treating water in aquaculture, including: *Filtration *Aeration.
• Develop a list of criteria for selecting a site suitable for a specified freshwater aquaculture purpose.
• Explain how varying stocking rates can affect the condition of a specified type of animal in aquaculture.
• Compare the potential affects on aquaculture species, of different methods of containing water, including: *Ponds constructed with liners *An earth dam *Concrete tanks. *Flowing water *Still water
• Compare various methods of feeding commercial species, including fish and crayfish, with reference to the type of food and the way it is delivered to the animals.
• Compare three different aquaculture feeds which are available commercially, with reference to: *composition *appearance *appropriate applications.
• Compare different harvesting techniques with reference to: *equipment required *time required *damage to animal.
• Describe how to construct different types of water storage facilities, including: *Ponds constructed with liners *An earth dam *Concrete tanks.
• Prepare a detailed management system for one species suitable for aquaculture, including details of: *Breeding *Rearing *Feeding *Harvesting *Marketing.
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of aquaculture with those of other types of agricultural enterprises.
• Compile a list of different resources in the aquaculture industry including: *Information sources *Equipment suppliers *Materials suppliers.
• Analyse aquaculture marketing systems, on both a national and international level.
• Evaluate the marketability of different specified types of aquaculture produce.
• Evaluate the viability of a proposed, specified aquaculture venture.

Fish Farming is a Thriving Industry

Develop a capacity to develop and manage freshwater aquaculture enterprises. Aquaculture is the farming of water animals (eg. Fish, crustaceans) for human consumption. This course covers: water (e.g.source, purity, flow, temperature, dissolved oxygen), stocking rates, spawning, checking stock, stripping, fertilization, hatching, growth stages, feeding, harvesting, stocking and more.

This course was revised and notes significantly expanded in 2007.