ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Printed Worksheet

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WHAT WE FARM AND WHY

The species we farm depends on our regional climate and demand.

The choice of species will affect:

• Farming method (pond, tank, cage, ocean)
• Feed type & cost of feed
• Environmental needs (temperature, salinity, oxygen)
• Market value of species (food, ornamental, pharma, etc.)

THE GROWING AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY

The most common species for aquaculture is fish! 🐟

Salmon and Trout

Catfish

Carp

Tilapia

High-value marine fish, mostly farmed in cold-water cages

A hardy freshwater species, popular in the United States.

A staple in Asia, they are environment-tolerant and resource efficient.

A fast-growing, easy to farm freshwater fish.

BIG OPPORTUNITIES IN AQUACULTURE

Though fish remain the most common species for aquaculture, industries are growing fast around....

🦐 Crustaceans

🦪 Shellfish

🌿 Seaweed and Specialty Plants

Shrimp, Crab, and Lobster are a huge export and import industry.

Because they are location limited, the industry has been traditionally difficult to scale.

Oysters, Mussels, Clams and Scallops have no need for feed, as they filter nutrients from the water.

They also have a very low impact on their environment.

Seaweed is fast-growing, and also does not require feed. These plants help fight pollution by absorbing carbon and nitrogen.

Along with being edible for us humans, Seaweed is being used sustainably in fertilizer, cosmetics, and future bioplastics!

FUTURE OF SEAWEED

25BILLION

$

The super-crop of the sea, fueling growth in food, packaging, and bio-products.

By 2030, the global market is projected to exceed:

driven by demand for sustainable food, packaging, and bioproducts.

TAKE AWAYS

Aquaculture supports a wide range of species beyond just “fish”, where each species has unique needs and value chains.

Choosing the right species is a balance of environment, economics, and sustainability. Innovation is expanding what's possible in aquatic farming. We have a chance to take part in what the future of aquaculture can be.

CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ALONG

PRINTED WORKSHEET

OUR ACTIVITY

Separate into your groups and begin researching the species you've been assigned.

Tell us about the needs of the species: their behavior, diet, compatibility with other species, and their needs for our tanks.