Fisheries Technology Associates, Inc. High-Performance Aquaculture, Fish Farming, and Fisheries Services
Offering Sustainability, Profitability, and Excellence...since 1982

FTA Home
Be sure to visit our Start Here, Background, and Services pages.

AquaFacts

Fisheries Technology Associates is a world leader in aquaculture, fish farming, fish culture, and fisheries management consulting services.  For more than 26 years we have delivered the quality of service and experience that our clients expect and deserve.
Start Here Background Services/Fees Contact Us Employment AquaFacts News/Articles AquaLinks


 

Aquaculture and Fish Farming Facts and FiguresGlobe2.gif (1715 bytes)

Here are some interesting facts and figures about aquaculture and fish farming and their growing prominence in world agriculture.  If you have additional material for this page, please e-mail your suggestions to us.  If you require more detailed information, please give us a call.

Copyright © 1999-2008 Fisheries Technology Associates, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Do not copy or reproduce without permission.

bulletAquaculture (also known as fish farming or fish culture)--the production and husbandry of aquatic plants and animals in controlled environments
bulletHusbandry--the application of scientific principles to farming
bulletAquatic--freshwater, brackishwater, or saltwater systems
bulletControlled--directed or regulated physically, chemically, or biologically; (a range of meaning) from production applying limited capital and management (low level of control, termed "extensive"), to production applying comprehensive capital and management (high level of control, termed "intensive")
bulletAquaculture was first practiced in China more than 2,000 years ago.  Aquaculture is a relative newcomer to the U.S., which began here during the late 19th century and first reached commercial success many decades later in the 1960's and 1970's.
bulletBy law, aquaculture is federally defined as agriculture in the U.S.  Aquaculture is defined as agriculture in most U.S. states as well.
bulletAquaculture is one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. and global agricultural economies.
bulletCattle require 8-10 pounds (3.6-4.5 kilograms) of feed per pound of live weight.  Poultry require 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) of feed per pound of live weight.  Fish, because they are poikilothermic ("cold-blooded"), only require 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) or less of feed per pound of live weight.  No energy is required to maintain body temperature.
bulletU.S. aquaculturists produce more than 1.1 billion pounds (500,000 metric tons) of aquatic plants and animals per year.
bulletThe value of aquaculture production in the U.S. exceeds $1.13 billion per year.
bulletDespite the growth of U.S. aquaculture, the U.S. trade deficit in fisheries products is now more than $7 billion per year and growing, second only to petroleum.  The U.S. captures and produces less than one third of the $10 billion worth of fisheries products it consumes each year.
bulletCatfish accounts for the majority of aquaculture production in the U.S.  Rainbow trout is a distant second.
bulletThe worldwide total yearly aquaculture production of finfish, shellfish, and plants recently surpassed 70.4 billion pounds (32 million metric tons).
bulletChina is the world's largest aquaculture producer, accounting for 61% of all aquacultured products.  Japan is a distant second and India is third.
bulletAsian carps (e.g., silver carp, grass carp, etc.), common carp, and tilapia represent, by weight, the most widely produced finfish species in the world.
bulletAquaculture accounts for more than 25% of all aquatic foods (more than 30% of foodfish) consumed in the world.  Aquaculture will provide more than 50% by 2025.
bulletThe per capita consumption of finfish and shellfish in the U.S. is about 16.6 pounds (7.5 kilograms) per year--a total of 4.85 billion pounds (2.2 million metric tons).  The worldwide average per capita consumption is about 40 pounds (18.2 kilograms) per year, and approaches 100 pounds (45.4 kilograms) per year in some parts of southern and eastern Asia.
bulletThe number of species under aquaculture production in the world grows larger every year, with the majority of growth in numbers provided by saltwater species.
bulletAs the availability of fresh water and inexpensive land decreases, the number of high-density, highly efficient water recirculation systems will increase.
bulletThere is an emerging trend to site new marine aquaculture facilities in open-ocean environments where they are submerged, out of sight, and out of reach of storms, coastal pollution, and shipping traffic.
bulletWith respect to total numbers, fish are the most popular pets in the U.S.  Cats are second and dogs are the third-most-popular pets.  Ornamental fish species comprise a major production segment within the U.S. aquaculture industry.
bulletWhile aquarium hobbyists are not accounted in aquaculture production estimates (commercial producers of aquarium fishes are included), by definition, aquarium-keeping is a type of aquaculture.
bulletIn many parts of Asia, aquariums are considered standard office furniture.
 

• FTA Home •

Send mail to info@ftai.com with questions or comments about this web site.  Contact usCopyright © 1998-2008 Fisheries Technology Associates, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Do not copy or reproduce without permission.  Disclaimer: Inclusion of names of other companies or organizations or their services or products on this web site does not constitute endorsement of those companies or organizations or their services or products by Fisheries Technology Associates, Inc. or its employees.