Recirculating Aquaculture

This is the 4th edition of the book that has become known in the industry as the Yellow book . It addresses the subject of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). RAS have higher capital and operating costs than most extensive systems such as cage culture in natural waters and raceway and/or pond culture systems. However, when the environmental control provided by recirculating systems and the benefits provided by this environmental control in terms of marketing, waste control, product quality, product availability, and other factors are considered– then recirculating systems become much more attractive. Thus, this text is designed primarily for recirculating systems, which the authors feel will be the system design of choice for most new aquaculture ventures. This is even more true as the issues of sustainability and economic viability become more intense. Much of the information provided in this text does, however, also apply to open, semi-closed, and closed systems in terms of tank design, hydraulics, fish management, water quality, etc. The objectives of this text are the practical application of aquacultural engineering principles to the design, construction, and management of an aquatic production system. A chapter on aquaponics has also been added with extensive examples. It provides the reader with essential information necessary to get started in aquaculture production and it emphasizes practical information rather than theoretical discussions. It minimizes information on genetics, basic biology, marketing, and all of the other areas important to development of a successful aquaculture operation. Many of these topics are touched on in the text, but are presented only in sufficient detail to allow the reader to understand the relationship of each of these aspects to production of fish. The authors objectives are to provide sufficient information so the reader can: 1) look at a system and make a good judgment as to how well the systems will operate, 2) work with a systems designer to develop an aquatic production system of your own, and 3) know what to look for when shopping for aquacultural production systems.