Aquaculture
Beginnings
•No one is certain when aquaculture began
–Raising of aquatic animals and plants
•Two thirds of the earth is covered with water
–Not surprising that man would eventually raise fish and aquatic plants
China
•Some form of aquaculture began around 3500 BC
•Chinese developed a unique system of raising several species of carp
–Mud carp – bottom feeders
–Silver and bighead carp – mid-water feeders
–Grass carp – top feeders
China (continued)
•“Fan Li on Pisiculture”
–Fish recorded document on fish culture
–Written by the Reverend Mr. Zhu
–Advised the Emperor to make his country rich through raising fish
•Chose to raise carp because they grew fast and did not eat their young
•Over half the fish consumed in china today comes from fish ponds
Egypt
•Painting on the tombs of Pharaohs show fish in manmade ponds
–Probably tilapia
–Indicates some form of fish culture
•Egyptians probably raised fish for decoration or fun
–Not as food to feed families