Aquaculture Farming: Production Systems and Management
In aquaculture farming you will be involved in all the aspects: from breeding through to growing, health care, harvesting and marketing a range of fish and crustaceans. This is a growing industry and there are many job opportunities open.
The demand for high quality farmed fish is increasing world-wide. Fish farming saves and conserves natural fish populations, whilst providing an intense production system to meet the increasing world demand and to help provide food security to the world in the future.
This course is relevant whether you are working in this industry and need theortical knowledge, you are looking to enter the industry or want to set up your own business.
What You Will Learn
Throughout the course, you will explore:
-
Different freshwater aquaculture production systems
-
Extensive and intensive production
-
Water resources, storage and containment
-
Selecting suitable species for production
-
Climate, water quality and environmental considerations
-
Trout, barramundi, bass and freshwater crayfish production
-
Fish breeding, spawning and fry management
-
Feeding and nutrition
-
Fish-farm design and establishment
-
Biological filtration and water management
-
Stocking and production planning
-
Harvesting techniques and equipment
-
Fish health, diseases and parasites
-
Marketing and the economics of aquaculture production
COURSE STRUCTURE
Course Duration: 100 hours (approximately)
There are ten lessons as follows:
- Lesson 1: Introduction To Aquaculture
- Scope and nature of freshwater aquaculture
- Resources, references, organisations around the world
- Equipment and material suppliers
- Lesson 2: Production Systems - EP and IP
- Open, semi closed and closed systems
- Extensive production
- Intensive production
- Water containment: earth, concrete, wood, brick, stone, fibreglass, liners, etc.
- Dams and water storage: siting, site
- Lesson 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 and other species suited to farming in Australia, the UK and other countries
- Trout
- Rainbow trout
- Brown trout
- Bass
- Catfish
- Carp
- Cod
- River blackfish
- Marron
- Algae
- Lesson 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
- Lesson 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
- Lesson 6: Bass
- Varieties: Australian bass, American largemouth, Smallmouth
- Habitat requirements: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH
- Natural spawning cycle
- Controlled spawning
- Harvesting
- Lesson 7: Freshwater Crayfish
- Scope and nature of crustacean aquaculture
- Marron and Yabbie
- Conditions: water, temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, organic loading, water clarity, pond size
- Initial breeding stocks
- Production potential
- Stocking rates
- Breeding
- Growth
- Feeding
- Composts for Marron feeding
- Red Claw
- Yabbie
- Spiny Freshwater Crayfish
- Lesson 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
- Lesson 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
- Lesson 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.
Workload & Assessment
Study when and where it suits you. Most students can complete the course in approximately 100 hours of study, with a similar commitment recommended to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
Self-Assessment Tests are provided throughout the course as automated quizzes, allowing you to check your understanding and identify areas for further study.
Assignments are provided at the end of each lesson and assess your understanding and ability to follow instructions and apply course knowledge.
A Final Examination is available after satisfactory completion of all assignments. This is optional and, for an additional fee, may lead to a formal pass, with a Statement of Attainment issued upon successful completion.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is ideal for anyone interested in aquaculture, fish farming or aquatic food production, whether you are exploring the industry, developing an existing farming enterprise or looking to build specialist knowledge.
It is suitable for:
-
Aspiring aquaculture farmers considering starting a fish or freshwater crayfish enterprise
-
Farmers and landowners exploring aquaculture as a diversification opportunity
-
Aquaculture workers wanting to broaden their knowledge of production and farm management
-
Fisheries and aquatic industry professionals seeking a broader understanding of freshwater production
-
Hobbyists and small scale producers interested in raising fish or freshwater crayfish
-
Agriculture and horticulture professionals looking to expand into aquatic food production
-
Students and career changers considering opportunities in aquaculture and fish farming
-
Business owners and entrepreneurs researching the planning, production and management requirements of an aquaculture enterprise
Build Your Aquaculture Skills
Learn the principles of fish farming, production systems and aquaculture management.
Start your course today!