Lesson Structure:   Aquaculture BAG211

1  Introduction to Aquaculture

• Scope and nature of freshwater aquaculture
• Resources, references, organisations around the world
• Equipment and material suppliers

2  Production Systems – EP and IP

• Open, semi closed and closed systems
• Extensive production
• Intensive production
• Water containment: earth, concrete, wood, brick, stone, fibre-glass, liners, etc
• Dams and water storage: siting, site

3  What Species to Farm

• Selection criteria
• Climate
• Water resources
• Finance
• Scale of operation
• Other resources: manpower, knowledge, support services, etc.
• Market demand and access
• Ecological considerations
• Risk considerations
• Review of different fish: we review many fish and other species suited to farming in Australia,the UK and other countries), including:
• Trout
• Rainbow trout
• Brown trout
• Bass
• Catfish
• Carp
• Cod
• River blackfish
• Marron
• Algae

4  Trout

• Three main trout species
• Farming trout
• Water
• Determining flow in source water
• Water temperature
• Water dissolved oxygen
• Stocking rates for production pools
• Spawning trout
• Checking the fish
• Stripping technique
• Fertilisation of ova
• Hatching ova
• From hatch to free swimming stage
• Feed
• After free swim stage

5  Barramundi

• Industry perspective
• Breeding and growth rates
• Induced breeding; hormone injection
• Growth
• Fry management and after care
• Grow out
• Pond rearing for larvae
• Barramundi diseases and parasites

6  Bass

• Varieties: Australian bass, American loudmouth, Smallmouth
• Habitat requirements: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH
• Natural spawning cycle
• Controlled spawning
• Harvesting

7  Freshwater Crayfish

• Scope and nature of crustacean aquaculture
• Marron and Yabbie
• Conditions: water, temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, organic loading, water clarity, pod size
• Initial breeding stocks
• Production potential
• Stocking rates
• Breeding
• Growth
• Feeding
• Composts for Marron feeding
• Red Claw
• Yabbie

8  Setting Up a Fish Farm

• Land and water
• Water requirements
• Extensive production dams
• Intensive production pools and raceways
• Cages
• Biological filtration systems
• Filter efficiency
• Clearing turbid water in dams
• Protecting fish
• Improving genetic quality of fish
• Economics of establishing and running an aquaculture farm
• Financial management
• Financial institutions
• Better planning
• Economics
• What to plan for
• Production
• Marketing

9  Fish Foods & Feeding

• Scope and nature
• Pelleted feed
• Live feed
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Worms
• Night lights
• Fishmeal
• Oil meals
• Fish food production
• Beef heart
• Legumes
• Seafood and vegetable mix
• Earthworm and compost production

10 Harvesting

• Introduction
• Harvesting techniques: seine nets, gill nets, traps, long lines, funnel trap, flyke trap, etc
• Fish pumps
• Mechanical graders
• Fish health management
• Review of diseases: salmonids, barramundi, trout, carp, etc

Learning Goals – Aims:   Aquaculture BAG211

• To discuss the nature and scope of freshwater aquaculture
• Explain different aquaculture production systems
• Compare the cultural requirements of different types of fish and choose the most suitable for aquaculture in your region.
• Explain the commercial production of trout
• Explain the commercial production of barramundi, eel and catfish
• Explain the commercial production of bass
• Explain cultural practices for freshwater crayfish
• Develop informed management decisions for establishing an aquaculture enterprise
• Explain methods, including feeding and harvesting, used to manage freshwater animal populations
• Describe harvesting and marketing in an aquaculture enterprise

Practicals – Set Tasks:   Aquaculture BAG211

• 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.

CHOOSING WHAT TO FARM

Your choice will depend on many considerations, including:

• Climate
• Water resources
• Finance
• Scale of operation
• Other resources: manpower, knowledge, support services etc.
• Market demand and access
• Ecological considerations: availability of animals, legislation on living animal trade
• Risk Considerations: disease, pest, reliability of growth rate, stability of markets.

Climate
Some animals are more environmentally sensitive than others.  Some may require cold water, others hot water; and others water where temperature fluctuations are minimal. Some need deeper water; others are able to grow in shallower water. Some species need certain water salinity or alkalinity in specific periods of development. In general, cold freshwater fishes require more pristine waters and stable oxygen concentrations, therefore more control on water quality, than warm water estuarine fish.

Water resources
Water quality may be more important to some animals than others. Some may grow in poor quality or contaminated water, but the quality of the harvest (taste, levels of pollutants such as mercury, etc) can become an issue if water quality is poor. Oxygen levels can affect rate of growth in animals, as can chemicals in the water. High levels of nitrogen together with light can cause algal blooms which can block pipes, and may cause other problems as well –but may also provide food for aquatic animals.

Finance
Sometimes set up costs can be very high (e.g. creating dams, installing tanks, filtration systems etc) Some properties may already have dams or other previously built or naturally occurring water resources that can be used. Some animals may be grown to a marketable size quickly; while others take a lot longer. It is not only important to have adequate money to set up a venture but also the cash flow to maintain operations until a return on investment is realized.

Scale of Operation
Some types of aquaculture can be intensive, requiring relatively little land. Other types need to be operated on a much larger scale to be profitable. Your choice of animal may be determined by the scale on which you are able to operate.

Other resources (manpower, knowledge, support services, etc)
Larger scale operations will need more manpower. If something goes wrong, you either need the expertise yourself or experts help close at hand to deal with the problem. For farms that are located in isolated communities (for example), it may be difficult to obtain help from a veterinary expert, an engineer or irrigation expert, or some other expert, as and when you need it.

Market
Some products sell well, but that may be because they are difficult to produce; or perhaps because they are in fashion at the present moment. This does not necessarily mean you will sell them well, or make a profit on them if you start planning to grow them now.

There may be others also starting aquaculture ventures targeting this market or perhaps the cost of production is so high that despite demand, there might not be a big profit. Current demand is none the less an indicator of likely demand later on. Demand is only one consideration when deciding whether the market opportunity will be strong.

There are all sorts of costs involved in marketing as well. Consider how well the product keeps, the cost of processing, transport, packaging etc. Consider alternative options for marketing also. Some fish may be preserved by freezing, smoking, canning, pickling etc: thus extending the shelf life; but this may also change the nature of the product. Processing may add value to your produce; but it can also increase the overall production cost.

Availability of Animals
You may identify an animal species that would be ideal to farm, but if it is unavailable or illegal to grow in your region, there is little point in planning its production.

Risk Considerations
Some animals are more prone to disease, growth rates are more sensitive and variable, or market demand is less reliable. Drought, variations in water quality (or depth) and other factors can also be risks. You need to consider risks; and choose animals to farm that will be less risky for you in your situation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.