Back to: Jss2 Agricultural Science (PVS)

Fishery

Fishery refers to the industry that involves the catching, processing, and selling of fish and other aquatic organisms. This industry plays a significant role in the economy and food security of many countries, especially those with access to large bodies of water such as oceans, lakes, and rivers.

The fishery industry can be divided into two major categories: capture fishery and aquaculture. Capture fishery involves the catching of fish and other aquatic animals in their natural habitats using various methods such as nets, traps, and hooks. Aquaculture, on the other hand, involves the farming of fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled environments such as ponds, tanks, and cages.

The fishery industry provides a source of employment for millions of people around the world, from fishermen and fish farmers to processors and traders. Fish and other aquatic organisms are also important sources of protein and other essential nutrients, especially in developing countries where other sources of animal protein may be scarce or expensive.

However, the fishery industry also faces various challenges such as overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Overfishing, for example, can lead to the depletion of fish stocks, which can have significant economic and ecological impacts. Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change can also negatively impact the health and abundance of fish and other aquatic organisms.

To ensure the sustainability of the fishery industry, various management measures have been put in place, such as fishing quotas, marine protected areas, and regulations on fishing gear and methods. Sustainable aquaculture practices are also being developed and promoted to reduce the impact of fish farming on the environment.

Terms Associated with Fish Farming

1. Aquaculture: The practice of breeding, rearing, and harvesting fish in controlled environments, typically for commercial purposes.
2. Broodstock: The parent fish used to produce eggs or sperm for breeding purposes in aquaculture.
3. Fry: Newly hatched fish that are typically less than 1 inch long.
4. Fingerlings: Young fish that are larger than fry but smaller than juveniles.
5. Juveniles: Young fish that have developed beyond the fingerling stage but are not yet mature adults.
6. Hatchery: A facility where fish eggs are hatched and young fish are raised before being transferred to grow-out facilities.
7. Pond: An artificial body of water that is used for fish farming.
8. Raceway: A type of aquaculture system that uses long, narrow channels to raise fish.
9. Net pen: A large enclosure made of netting that is placed in natural bodies of water to contain fish.
10. Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS): A closed-loop system that recirculates water and filters waste products to maintain a controlled environment for fish farming.
11. Water quality: The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water that affect the health and growth of fish.
12. Feed: Nutritious substances provided to fish to promote growth and health.
13. Stocking density: The number of fish per unit area of water in a fish farming operation.
14. Oxygenation: The process of adding oxygen to the water in a fish farming operation to ensure that fish have enough oxygen to breathe.
15. Harvest: The process of removing mature fish from a fish farming operation for sale or processing.
16. Mortality: The death of fish in a fish farming operation, which can be caused by a variety of factors such as disease, poor water quality, or inadequate nutrition.
17. Disease: A condition that affects the health and growth of fish in a fish farming operation.
18. Biosecurity: Measures taken to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases in a fish farming operation.
19. Artificial reproduction: The process of manipulating the reproductive system of fish to produce offspring in captivity.
20. Hybridization: The intentional crossing of two different species or strains of fish to produce offspring with desirable traits such as disease resistance or faster growth.