Today Aquaculture
has taken on a new meaning and importance in
the food industry. Between 1984 to 1994, aquaculture
all over the world has doubled and hence become
one of the fastest growing food production activities.
In 1995, almost 20% of all China fish and shellfish
production was attributed to aquaculture. Almost
all farmed fish is consumed by humans and only
one-third is used to make fishmeal and fishoil.
Aquaculture will continue to expand as catches
from the oceans will decline due to overfishing
and natural calamities.
Asia is at the
head of the world aquaculture. China is the
leader, contributing nearly 60% of 1994 production.
So, we find that more than 50% of the total
China fish production each year is aquaculture.
India is the second largest producer. But China
is a veritable giant in the aquaculture industry.
There are two
distinct group of Aquaculture products: high
valued species like shrimp and salmon that are
most often grown for export and low valued species
such as carp and tilapia that are usually consumed
locally. The four major carps - silver carp,
grass carp, common carp, and bighead carp account
for more than one third of world aquaculture
and nearly all of it is from China, and therefore
more commonly known as China fish.
Carp are herbivorous.
They can survive and grow on algae and fauna.
Growing of carp are much more economical than
carnivorous fish like shrimp and salmon which
require fishmeal. Also carp farming can be integrated
with other types of farm activities. Carp fulfill
the protein needs of the less affluent. There
is a great demand for China fish globally and
ocean stocks are being depleted. So the future
of aquaculture is bright and modern techniques
are being depleted.
However land
and water are two very important factors for
aquaculture. These two resources are already
in short supply. In China, the loss of cultivable
land has led o restriction on conversion of
farm land to aquaculture ponds, for China fish
production.
Aquaculture has
led to water pollution. The coastal waters lead
to oxygen depletion and contribute to harmful
algal blooms. Aquaculture also depletes ocean
stocks because fishmeal is made out of low value
fish. This is one minus point of China fish
production.
In the near future
aquaculture research will lead to increased
production without the harmful impact. Chinese
researchers are on their way to developing a
protein supplement based on yeast that can be
a substitute to fishmeal. Also a new breed of
Tilapia that grows 60% faster with higher survival
rates has been produced, and forms a part of
the China fish group.
Hence, once the
harmful effects of aquaculture are taken care
of, the China fish industry will take a great
step forward in the fish farming and can be
a major supplier in the global market.
For price
quotes and any further information, feel free
to call us today at:
Siam
Canadian Foods Co., Ltd.
9th Floor, Suite 283/44, Home Place Office Building.
283 Thonglor 13, Sukhumvit 55
Kongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110,
THAILAND
Call us at +66-2-185-3311
Fax: +66-2-185-3317
Email us at info@siamcanadian.com
