Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populationsunder controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish. Mariculture refers to aquaculture practised in marine environments. Particular kinds of aquaculture include fish farming, shrimp farming, oyster farming, algaculture (such as seaweed farming), and the cultivation of ornamental fish. Particular methods include aquaponics, which integrates fish farming and plant farming. Source: Wikipedia

Legal considerations

Before starting an aquaculture venture, check on any applicable regulations with your local authority or the associations and organisations given below.

Associations and Organisations

Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa – AASA
The Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa (AASA) was established in the late 1980’s in order to represent the interest of the then fledgling aquaculture industry in Southern Africa. The Association has since developed into a structure with representation from the various sectors contributing towards the aquaculture industry of the region, including marine species such as oysters, mussels, abalone and prawns; freshwater species such as trout, catfish, tilapia, ornamental fishes; as well as service providers such as feed companies, equipment suppliers and veterinary services.

Aquaculture Institute of Southern Africa – AISA
AISA’s vision is to be a representative body for the entire Aquaculture Industry of South Africa that aims to build, grow and maintain a sustainable and stable Aquaculture Industry for the combined and individual good of each stakeholder.

Suppliers

Aquaculture Innovations
As Service Providers to the regional Aquaculture Industry we are here to assist existing aquaculturalists as well as new entrants into the industry. We offer a range of products that are used by the Aquaculture Industry.

Aquaculture Service Providers
Listing of aquaculture suppliers provided by the Aqua Africa website- Aqua culture in Southern Africa.

Websites

ARC – Aquaculture division
The aquaculture programme of the ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering (ARC-ILI) has since 1990 given particular attention to aquaculture engineering. The priorities of the program are the research and development of production systems. For viability, the economy of the systems as well as the comfort and welfare of the organisms are taken into consideration, so that the system is adapted to the organisms and not the organisms to the system.

Tilapia in Aquaculture – Stellenbosch University
Tilapia (Bream) in aquaculoture including site selection, water quality criteria, Fewed, Market and training.

Introduction of aquaculture as a farming system to communities – ARC
An aquaculture demonstration site is operated by ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij as well as the aquaculture unit of the University of Stellenbosch. Forelle and Tilapia fish are kept in floating cages and the site demonstrates how farm workers and small-scale farmers can utilise a dam to produce an extra income. This concept was introduced to a community in Namaqualand in the Northern Cape and it is currently being evaluated together with the community.

Aquaculture in Southern Africa
Aquaculture is growing steadily in Southern Africa and this address seeks to link all the various parties involved under a single umbrella. Prospective aquaculturalists are offered an opportunity to obtain specific, detailed information on various aspects of aquaculture pertinent to the Southern African sub-region.

Selected International links

Aquaculture Outlook – Economic Research Service, US Dept of Agriculture
Examines the U.S. Aquaculture industry, including production, inventory, sales, prices, inputs, and trade of catfish, trout, tilapia, salmon, mollusks, crawfish, shrimp, ornamental fish and new species.

Publications

Aquaculture literature
Publications to do with different aspects of aquaculture.

Aquatic Biology, Aquaculture & Fisheries Resources (1971+) (ABAFR)
Publication for purchase. These major database collections together provide unrivaled access to information on the science and management of aquatic organisms, environments and their explanation.

If you need me, I’ll feed you – Article
Information supplied by Sunday Times – Futhi Ntshingila
A LOCAL farmer’s innovative methods have earned him a prestigious award. Ken Konschel, 49, of Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, has won the Inventor Award from the International Foundation for Science in Sweden for his self-sustaining farm on which fish, vegetables, chicken and worms feed off each other.

Publications on Aquaculture from the ARC
The following publications, specific to aquaculture, are available for purchase from the Agricultural Research Council:
Factors that influence the choice of a site for an aquaculture enterprise
Earth Dams
Manual for the building of circular reservoirs

Selected books on aquaculture.
Available for purchase from the website “Wantitall.co.za”

Selected books on aquaculture.
Available for purchase from the website “Kalahari.net”

Training

Training in aquaculture.
A practical aquaculture course is offered by Aquaculture Innovations.

Aquaculture Distance Education Programme
Since 2001 the University of Stellenbosch has presented an Aquaculture Education Programme in a Distance Education format. (Information is given in pdf format)

Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa (AASA)
From time to time, AASA provide internship opportunities for students. Please chack their website regularly.