An official website of the United States government.
Aquaculture is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and other water organisms under controlled conditions for at least part of their lifecycle. Aquaculture is a sustainable farming practice that supports the U.S. agricultural economy by providing jobs and business opportunities.
Aquaponics is the practice of combining aquaculture and hydroponics (growing plants without soil) into one system.
Aquaponics
Resources about Aquaponics
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An Overview of Aquaponic Systems: Aquaculture Components (PDF, 18 Pages)
The "go-to" resource by D. Allen Pattillo at the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center. Contains information, diagrams, and links to additional resources.
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Purdue Aquaponics: Cut Water Usage [youtube.com]
Program provides an introduction to and recommended practices for starting an aquaponics operation. Discusses the relationship between aquaponics, aquaculture and hydroponics.
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Aquaponics [agmrc.org]
An overview of aquaponics, production issues and marketing considerations. Includes links to additional information.
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Everything You Need to Know about Aquaponics [youtube.com]
A series of videos recorded by D. Allen Pattillo at Iowa State University that showcase and detail aquaponics topics.
Access to Research Articles
Aquaculture
Aquaculture is federally defined in the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 as the “propagation and rearing of aquatic species in controlled or selected environments, including but not limited to, ocean ranching (except private ocean ranching of Pacific for profit in those States where such ranching is prohibited by law).” 16 U.S.C.A. § 2802 (1)
Resources about Aquaculture
Access to Research Articles
Research and Selected Resources
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Aquaculture
Seventeen USDA Agencies fall under eight Mission Areas to support aquaculture through their program leadership. USDA primarily supports aquaculture through the programs administered in the Mission Areas and Agencies outlined on this site, including the following:
- Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. Aquaculture Information.
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Aquaculture.
- National Agricultural Statistics Service. Census of Aquaculture.
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program. [cdc.gov]
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and proposes practices to reduce occupational diseases, injuries and fatalities among workers in the aquaculture industry.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Provides information on aquaculture production; best management practices; and regulatory requirements and compliance. EPA stresses aquaculture-related environmental requirements.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Aquaculture. [fda.gov]
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. [fda.gov]
The Center focuses on safe and effective drugs used in the aquaculture industry. - Seafood Guidance Documents and Regulatory Information [fda.gov]
- Seafood HACCP [fda.gov].
Aquaculture Funding Opportunities
Aquaculture farmers and researchers may be eligible for grant or financial assistance programs.