Around five sixths of the surface of our planet is covered with water. This vast area represents a giant volume in which around 20,000 species live and multiply.
Since antiquity fishing and seafood consumption has played an important role in coastal regions.In contrast to other maritime deep water resources seafood undergoes a continuous biological renewal and recycling. Only human interference by overfishing pollution of the environment can put an end to this eternal biological circle.
Under the pressure of big demand many valuable species of marine fish and invertebrates are now being produced under controlled conditions in aquaculture.
Fish are highly efficient in converting food into animal proteins. For every 1.5 kg of feed they gain 1 kg of body weight. This equal poultry converting feed protein into body protein.
Generally this conversation rate is higher than in slaughter animals.
The labor productivity is high since a well managed catfish farm can yield about 5 ton of fish per man year of labor from 1 acre of earthen ponds.This compares favorably with industrial beef farming.
The steady increase of industrial fish farming shows in some countries great potentials. Catfish, carp, trout, tuna and salmon are harvested in aquacultures. Fish species with fer bones, white meat and a mild flavor are attractive to the consumer.
It may be assured that industrial fish farming will gain further prioress and development though organized research including genetic engineering.
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