Introduces aquaculture production: species selection, culture systems from extensive pond to recirculating, water quality management, nutrition and feeding, health management, and the production economics that determine viability.
The course covers finfish, shellfish and algae, with regional emphasis on bivalves. Biological constraints and economic constraints are treated together throughout, since a species that can be grown and cannot be sold at cost is not a production option.
Practical sessions cover water quality measurement, system operation and husbandry. Students work a rotation on the seawater systems at Prentice Coastal Field Station, including weekend coverage. Animals do not observe a timetable.