Choosing an Aqua Farm Design

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Aquaculture Farm Design and Technology

One of the biggest business investments you will make will be in the facility design, farm operating system and equipment. There a numerous designs and technologies used in aquaculture operations today. Ranging from open ponds or using mesh cages suspended in water - to indoor systems that allow full operator control - to systems that are integrated with production of other crops. A more detailed review of available aqua farming designs can be found at the aquaculture information tour. Many systems have been successfully employed however the newer advanced indoor systems are now becoming the technology of choice.

Called Recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) these designs represent a new and more eco-friendly way to farm fish. Instead of the traditional method of growing fish outdoors in open ponds, net cages or tanks, this system rears fish at high densities, in indoor tanks within a "controlled" environment.

Recirculating systems filter and clean the water for recycling back through fish culture tanks, which greatly reduces the amount of fresh water required to produce economical amounts of crop. Indoor systems also offer much greater security and give the highest level of operator control while reducing the risk of disease and predator damage. Indoor systems provide the potential to site aquaculture operations in areas that have low amounts of available water and a small land base. Indoor systems also provide the potential to develop an Aquaponic farm producing fish, vegetables and herbs.

In Aquaphonics, the fish waste provides a food source for the growing plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the fish. This creates a mini ecosystem where both plants and fish can thrive. Aquaponics systems provide solutions to the fish farmers problem of disposing of nutrient rich water and a hydroponics growers need for nutrient rich water, creating the ability to operate a multi crop farm. 

On the other side of the coin RAS and Aquaponics systems can cost more to build, require more equipment and water management knowledge, increased monitoring of growing conditions and more operational labour.

It is a good idea to conduct a more in depth study and evaluate system design and technology after you have determined your site resource potential and investigated the species selection aspects. This way you can more easily select a design suited to your site and species to be raised.

Business Potential Evaluations

Marketing

Marketing of the product is an important aspect which is sometimes overlooked. Funny, but many people forget or ignore marketing. Not only is it important to identify your market, but also to make sure that you can supply at the right time, in the right form and at the right price. It is essential that the following market intelligence be gathered:

• Have you examined the existing market size and demand, along with the level of competition?

• Have you identified both primary and secondary markets for your product?

• Have you determined the form in which you will market your product?

• Can you supply product to your market on a regular basis throughout the year?

• Do you have the means to harvest, handle, hold and transport the product?

• Are you familiar with legal issues involved with the processing and marketing of your product?

• Have you made contact with potential buyers?

Economic Considerations - Business and Investment Planning

As sated earlier commercial scale fish farming is a business. Before you start your business, you need to fully evaluate the economic considerations, time requirements, your available resources and the potential income and profit of your business venture. (Unless you have an excess of endless money and plenty of time to spend it planning after the fact.) But to get started here are a few more points to consider.

• What are your business goals - full time - part time - Family farm etc. ? Have you developed a realistic business plan over a 3-5 year time span?

• Do you own or have access to an appropriate site? If you have to acquire land, ensure that it is appropriate and considered into your anticipated development costs.

• Have you determined what your cash and work outlays will need to be to accommodate your venture?

• Have you the investment required or can you secure sufficient capital at a reasonable interest rate?

• Have you made a realistic assessment of the timing and scale of expected returns on your investment?

• If you have to borrow money, will the lender accommodate your production and marketing schedule (which in turn determines your payment schedule)?

• Do you have adequate cash reserves for unanticipated costs such as equipment and/or crop loss? Anticipate problems plan to handle them and work hard to avoid them.

Starting an aquaculture venture offers the prospect of good returns, but also has an element of risk. It is most important to realistically evaluate the prospects of a good financial return and the feasibility of the operation. Depending on the nature of the aquaculture venture, there may also be some opportunities for financial support from lenders and government agencies and it pays to explore all of these. Be prepared, have a well organized and comprehensive business plan The above is a guideline to use in evaluating aquaculture as a business for you, your family or your company. All the these aspects will require detailed evaluation and it may be a wise investment to locate a trusted knowledgeable advisor in developing your business.

Related Articles

Overview of aquaculture training | Aquaponics Farming | Hobby Farming | Aquaculture Explained

Reference Books