What is aquaculture engineering

Benefits of Aquaculture: Alternative food source. Fish and other seafood are good sources of protein, Alternative fuel source , Increase Jobs in the market, Reduce Sea Food Trade Deficit, Creates Barrier against pollution with mollusc and sea weed, Reduces fishing pressure on wild stock.

Some examples of aquaculture include raising catfish and tilapia in freshwater ponds , growing cultured pearls, and farming salmon in net-pens set out in a bay. Fish farmingis a common kind of aquaculture.

The farming of fish is the most common form of aquaculture. Freshwater species may be grown in ponds or reservoirs, while marine species are typically raised in ocean waters.

These are called low-intensity processes, because they take place in open environments where engineers may have only limited control over some operational aspects. High-intensity aquaculture is practiced in tanks or other indoor facilities where conditions can be tightly controlled and maintained.

Aquaculture engineering is deeply concerned with water issues, especially water circulation and water quality. These areas require expertise in hydrology , hydraulics, and aspects of oceanography , civil engineering , and environmental engineering. Aquaculture engineers are often called on to design or oversee the operation and maintenance of pumps, piping systems, and other water transport equipment.

Knowledge of water chemistry is also crucial. Marine aquaculture operations using sea water and freshwater aquaculture facilities using inland waters have vastly different water chemistry requirements.

Waste generation and handling are major concerns in fish farming, because many animals are confined to a limited space. Waste materials include urine, fecal matter, uneaten food, and dead fish carcasses. These wastes pose a health hazard to fish in confined enclosures and are an environmental problem in inland and ocean waters. This means waste treatment, removal, and disposal systems are needed at most large-scale aquaculture facilities. Biological science, particularly the biology of aquatic species, is another key component of aquaculture engineering.

Knowledge of biological science is necessary to design and operate systems that will keep living creatures healthy and thriving. It's also key to meeting their environmental needs for reproduction.