Aquaculture and Fisheries Science

Contents: 1. Basis of aquaculture - scope and definition. 2. History of aquaculture and its present state. 3. Aquatic resources. 4. Ecology of culturable waters. 5. Design and construction of aquafarms. 6. Culturable fish species (Fin and shell fishes) and their biology. 7. Nutrition of cultivated fishes. 8. Aquatic weeds and their control. 9. Weed fishes and their control. 10. Procurement of stocking material. 11. Culture practices. 12. Existing culture practices of the world. 13. Enemies and diseases of fishes. 14. Harvesting the fish. 15. Marketing of the fish. 16. Genetics in aquaculture. 17. Biotechnology in aquaculture. 18. Problems and prospects. 19. Aquaculture and integrated rural development with special reference to economic factors. 20. Strategy for future development of aquaculture. 21. Research and extension services for aquaculture development.

"Aquaculture has gained a momentum throughout the world during recent decades, which is probably unparallel in other fields of food production. Cropping fish and other aquatic organisms for food is to a large extent based on very old methods. All the traditional methods together with the modern counterparts are now using high technology. These are commonly described as "aquaculture". It has surpassed all means of food production. The current economic problems facing the fisheries and aquaculture industry cannot be solved by" relying on government subsidies and the quotas to stabilise total landings. These actions must be accompanied by an improvement in the business management capabilities of persons involved in the fishery industry specially in the area of marketing.

The book should prove to be an asset for the people working in fisheries sector. It would serve as a reference book for researchers and fisheries students and as guide book for the planners and development personnels, as the compendium for the entrepreneurs and even the fish farmers. The book will bring a desirable change in the production system thereby providing better economic returns for all those connected with the aquaculture system including exhibiting a socioeconomic upliftment of the poor fishermen. The saying that "Adopt fish farming for leisure, pleasure and treasure" is very true in this context."