INTRODUCTION TO

AQUACULTURE

Definition of Aquaculture
Aquaculture means; cultivation of the
natural products of water such as
fish, shellfish, crustaceans and plants
under control conditions.

INTRODUCTION

The term aquaculture involves all forms of aquatic

animals and plants in fresh, brackish and saltwater.
In PNG, aquaculture's potential is highly regarded
because it can complement wild fishery, provide for food
security, especially in the central highlands. It has
potential to be a great revenue earner for the nation;
however production is limited to a number of species such
as trout, carp and tilapia and recently pearl oyster,
barramundi and marine prawns.
In the last decade there has been rapid progress from the
freshwater culture tilapia to Mariculture of barramundi,
marine prawns and pearl oysters. Despite this the
aquaculture development in PNG is constrained by poor
coordination of research and development efforts, poor
access to information and technology and chronic
shortage for local aquaculture expertise.

SPECIES BACKGROUND

In 1960s, the freshwater fish farming began in

PNG.
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)was also
introduced to PNG. water temperature of 13C to
17C.
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were
introduced to PNG.Adaptable to harsh
environment, disease resistance, omnivorous diet
and fast grow. H2O 18C and distributed in both
PNG Highlands and Lowlands.
The tilapia (Oreochomis) have good
characteristics for fish farming. They are fast
growing and able to survive in poor water

cont`d.

The water temperature range for optimal growth

and reproduction is between 20 and 30C. Water
temperatures as low as 12C a tolerated but
water temperature below 10C a survived for
prolonged period of time.

Parameters favorable for

tilapia growth.
Parameter
Temperature

Level
25-30oc

comment
Optimum for
reproduction and growth
Minimum for optimum
growth
Favor growth

DO (mg/L)

Salinity (ppt)

10-15

pH

6.5-9

CO2 (mg/L)

20

Total ammonia (mg/L)

0.02-0.5

Turbidity

30-35

Silt can damage

Water current

20

For intensive culture flow

through system

Optimum for primary

reproduction

Disadvantages of tilapia
1. Uncontrolled breeding in the ponds can lead to

overcrowding and stunted growth. They will not

grow well if the water temperature is lower than
22C.
Note: In all aspects of live, there are factors which
have great effect on the species growth and
reproduction for both internally and externally.
Environmental factors and water quality adversely
affects the growing and reproducing of the fish.

Water Quality
There are two most important factors which
determine the quality of water.
1. Temperature
2. Amount of oxygen dissolved in the water.

Temperature will affect all

chemical& biological processes.
Relationship

between growth and

temperature.

Factors affecting the

species growth.

Fish nutrition
There are two types;
1. Naturally produced food :- algae (phytoplankton)

and tiny animals (zooplankton) produced in the

pond itself which can be increased by fertilizing
the pond.

Fish nutrition
2. Supplement Food:-local waste products can be
used as supplementary fish food. (broken rice,
cereals, maize meals, fruits and vegetables,
soybean etc.

Slides continue

Formulated feed for fish

Fishmeal

Feeding guidelines for fish

Feed the fish at the same time in one corner of the pond. Fish will get

used to this and come near the surface of the water so it is easier to see
if the fish are eating and growing well. Feeding should be done in the
late morning or early afternoon when dissolved oxygen levels are high
so the fish have enough time to recover from the high oxygendemanding feeding activity before nightfall
Do not over feed the fish. Too much food will decay and used up too
much oxygen in the pond.
Do not feed fish in overcast day. Feed fish when the weather is fine.
Stop feeding fish for at least one day before breeding, harvesting or
transporting them. This enables the fish to digest the food completely.
In general, fry can be starved for 24 hours, fingerlings for 48 hours and
adult fish to excrete waste making the water turbid.

Pond culture
Good culture pond.
Location

Select land with a gentle slope and layout ponds to take advantages of existing land
contours.
Construction Ponds may be dug into the ground, they may be partly above and partly in the ground, or they
may be below original ground level; slopes and bottom should be well packed during
construction to prevent erosion and seepage; soil should contain a minimum of 25% clay,
rocks, grass, branches and other undesirable objects should be eliminated from the dikes

Pond depth

Depth should be 0.5- 1.0 m at shallow end, sloping to 1.5-2.0 m at the drain end; deeper ponds
may be required in the lowland where temperature is very high.

Configuratio
n
Side Slopes

Best shape for ponds is rectangular or square

Drain

Gate valves, baffle boards or tilt-over standpipes should be provided.

Inflow lines

Inflow lines should be of sufficient capacity to fill each pond on within 3days; if surface water is
used, incoming water should be filtered to remove undesirable plants or animals.

Total water
volume

Sufficient water should be available to fill all ponds on the farm within a few weeks and to keep
them full throughout the growing season.

Construct ponds with 2:1 or 3:1 slopes on all sides

Dikes

Dikes should be sufficient wide to mow; road dikes should be made of gravel; grass should be
planted on all dikes.

Orientation

Situate ponds properly to take advantage of water mixing by the wind, or in areas where wind
causes extensive wave erosion of dikes, place long sides of pond at right angles to the
prevailing wind; use hedge or tree wind breaks when necessary.

Square pond

4 by 4; 1m
shallow
end

Circular pond
Very hard for management.

Problems with earthen ponds

Feed sinked in the pond resulted rise in bottom

ground.
Break top ground into the ponds.
Dry season dries the ground water
2.5-3m deep ponds
Tall grasses (bushy)
Low pH of the soil
Densely algae growth
High turbidity
Chemical deposition.

Questions to ASK?...?.....?
What types of ponds do we have?
How many ponds do we have?
Am I progressing or dreaming?
Am I helping myself or expecting miracles
to happen to me?
5. How will I be improve on my farm work
6. How will I become VERY reliable person ?
7. When will I improve on my farm?
8. Where will I get help?
9. What is lacking?
*I want to become
somebody!
1.
2.
3.
4.

6. Tilapia broodstock

7. Technician checking fish in

small tilapia hatchery facility

22

THANKYOU LONG HARIM

BLO YUPELA

presented by: JBMari