{"id":17342,"date":"2023-05-15T17:00:58","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T21:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/?page_id=17342"},"modified":"2023-12-15T12:28:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T17:28:51","slug":"lesson-5-aquaculture-production-methods-and-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/lesson-5-aquaculture-production-methods-and-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Lesson 5: Aquaculture Production Methods and Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a variety of aquaculture production methods that suit different species and water bodies. Some aquaculture techniques are even used on land! Aquaculture systems can employ pens, cages, stakes, ropes and rafts in open water environments and tanks in indoor systems. In this lesson, students will explore aquaculture production methods and consider which species are most suitable for a particular type of technology. They also will research the laws and regulations that determine which production methods are permissible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Career and Technical Education Standards<\/strong>: Relevant to agricultural education courses<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grade Level<\/strong>: 11-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n Duration<\/strong>: 2 class periods<\/p>\n\n\n\n EEn.2.2.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n best management practices<\/strong>: activities that are effective at achieving a desired impact (e.g., environmental sustainability, operation efficiency)<\/p>\n\n\n\n culling<\/strong>: selective reduction of an animal population<\/p>\n\n\n\n intensive culture<\/strong>: aquaculture technology that produces species at high densities and yields, and that requires more inputs and higher start-up costs than other forms of aquaculture<\/p>\n\n\n\n extensive culture<\/strong>: aquaculture technology that produces species at low densities and yields, and that requires fewer inputs and lower start-up costs than other forms of aquaculture<\/p>\n\n\n\n mariculture<\/strong>: cultivation of the living resources of the marine environment, including marine finfish, shellfish and plants<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technology to grow aquatic plants and animals has evolved from natural systems like ponds to human-engineered systems, such as net pens in the ocean and aquarium-like tanks on land. Aquaculture systems vary greatly with respect to species cultured, profitability and environmental impacts. Improvements in aquaculture technology have led to more efficient growing methods, allowing growers to make more product at lower costs. What follows is a brief description of five common aquaculture production methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pond Aquaculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For successful pond production, ponds must be properly sited and built, with careful assessment of water availability, quantity and quality. There are two main types of pond systems: watershed and levee. Watershed ponds are generally built in hilly areas by damming a small stream. A levee pond is built by removing soil from an area so that the depression can become the pond bottom. The removed soil is used to form levees, or embankments, around the pond perimeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Areas that have enough rainfall to fill ponds \u2014 and keep them filled \u2014 will be better suited to watershed pond systems. In an area where the main water source is groundwater, then a levee pond may be more suitable. The majority of aquaculture production ponds in the United States are levee ponds. For example, catfish production in the southeastern U.S. often relies on a levee pond system.<\/p>\n\n\n\nScience Standards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Vocabulary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Background<\/h3>\n\n\n\n