How To Start Fish Farming Business
Fish farming, i.e. the commercial farming of aquatic organisms artificially in semi- or fully controlled environments, is one of the fastest growing forms of food production worldwide. It not only meets the demand for fish products, but also plays an important role in driving economic development by creating a large number of jobs in related ancillary businesses and services.
With a growing global population and rising demand for quality protein, fish continues to be in high demand as a healthy source of protein. Fish farms are used as an efficient production method to provide a steady supply of fish products to meet market demand.
Types of Fish Farming
Pond Farming System
Pond aquaculture is the most traditional type of aquaculture, which mainly involves fish farming in freshwater ponds. This method is relatively simple to operate and is suitable for a wide range of fish species. However, pond aquaculture requires a large land area and has higher requirements for water quality and environmental management.
Net-pen Aquaculture System
Net-pen aquaculture involves raising fish in net boxes or cages placed in natural water bodies (e.g. lakes and oceans). Its advantage is that it can fully utilize the resources of natural water bodies and the cost is relatively low. However, at the same time, net cage aquaculture is susceptible to changes in the natural environment and requires close attention to water quality and fish health.
Recirculating Water Aquaculture System
Recirculating water aquaculture system is an advanced aquaculture method that realizes indoor aquaculture by filtering and recycling aquaculture water with minimal water consumption. The system can precisely control the aquaculture environment, reduce the occurrence of diseases and improve aquaculture efficiency. However, the construction and operation costs are high and certain technical support is required.
Integrated Multi-nutrient Level Aquaculture (IMTA)
Integrated Multi-Trophic Level Aquaculture (IMTA) is a complex aquaculture system that combines aquatic organisms at different trophic levels to improve the health and efficiency of the ecosystem through the interaction of organisms. This approach reduces the environmental impact of aquaculture while increasing the economic benefits of aquaculture.
14 Steps To Start a Fish Farming Business
Determine the fish species to be farmed
Freshwater Fish Species
In freshwater aquaculture, tilapia and catfish are the most commonly farmed species in the U.S. They are fast growing and adaptable. Tilapia is often used for indoor farming due to its need for a constant temperature of 82 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit (about 28 – 30 degrees Celsius). Globally, carp (including common carp, grass carp, silver carp, and Rustic pangasius) are the most commonly farmed species. Rainbow trout is the most commonly farmed trout species.
Marine Fish Species
Of the marine aquaculture, Atlantic salmon farming is an important area of the aquaculture industry. Farmed salmon can be grown in nets or net pens set in seawater. Bluefin tuna is also a popular species for seawater aquaculture and is similarly farmed in nets or net pens to avoid mixing with wild fish.
Glass Eel
Glass eels are the juvenile stage of the European eel and are an important part of the food chain. They are usually farmed as feed for carnivorous fish (e.g. farmed salmon and other aquatic animals, marine mammals) rather than as a direct food source.
Selection Of Culture Methods
Classic Fry Farming
Classical fry culture is the cultivation of trout from eggs to fry (larvae) by means of a flow-through tank system. This method is often used to grow trout for release to recreational anglers.
Monoculture
Mono-species culture can be done indoors or outdoors, and only one species of fish is cultured at a time. This method is a good choice for people who are new to fish farming because it is relatively simple to operate and easy to manage.
Mixed Fish Culture
Mixed fish culture involves raising five to six species of fish in a pond at the same time, but these species must not compete with each other. In other words, they have different needs in terms of food and habitat, so that the ecological resources of the pond can be fully utilized.
Site Selection
Choosing a suitable breeding site is crucial. Make sure the site has a clean water source, as water quality directly affects the growth and health of the fish. Also, consider the quality of the soil. Soil suitable for pond construction should preferably contain a high amount of clay. In addition, the location of the site should be close to markets to reduce transportation costs.
Naming The Enterprise
The first thing you need to do is to name your fish farming enterprise and register it with the local Secretary of State’s office. Also, check if you need a specific license to use an existing pond.
Develop a Sound Business Plan
Starting a fish farm farming business requires capital to purchase necessary equipment, such as pumps and water quality testing equipment, as well as to set up a system to keep the water clean and oxygenated. Although recirculating water aquaculture systems are costly, their prices have declined in recent years as technology advances.
Government-backed loans may be available, as fish farms, as part of an aquaculture system, are considered “alternative” agricultural organizations and may qualify for special financing.
Key components of a business plan include:
- start on a small scale to minimize possible risks while gaining experience in aquaculture.
- setting aside start-up capital and applying for loans as needed once production is successful.
- learn about your target market and begin promoting your business.
- Calculate operating costs, including feed, labor, and equipment maintenance.
Dealing with Legal Matters
If you conduct outdoor fish farming, you need to study the possible environmental impacts and the relevant regulations. Wastewater discharged from the ponds may have a negative impact on the environment if it flows into other watercourses or land. In addition, if farmed fish escapes and mixes with wild fish, it may lead to infection of wild fish with diseases or introduction of non-native species, which may face fines.
If you want to sell live fish, you also need to know the regulations regarding the transportation of live fish. Also, obtain all permits required to conduct business and determine the form of organization of the business, such as self-employment, partnership, corporation or limited liability company.
Determine The Location For Aquaculture
The ideal location for constructing a series of ponds is where the soil contains a high amount of clay. Different fish species have different requirements for pond design. For example, catfish are bottom feeders and the bottom of the pond needs to be designed to take into account their activity habits, while fish such as carp prefer to be near the surface of the water and the upper space of the pond needs to be well planned.
Some basic elements of pond design remain the same, such as having good water intake and drainage systems connected to irrigation ditches. Sufficient space should be left between ponds to allow for moving equipment, feeding and harvesting operations. Also, nets and other protective barriers may be required to protect fish from predators. Care should also be taken to protect the surroundings from environmental pollution caused by fish-generated waste.
Water Quality Management
Water quality is a key factor affecting the health and growth of fish, so water quality monitoring and management systems must be implemented. Water quality and temperature should be monitored 24 hours a day, and small amounts of chemicals should be added as needed to balance the pH of the water. At the same time, a water purification system is installed and UV lamps are recommended to kill pathogens and ensure that the water quality meets the requirements for fish growth.
Purchase Of Required Equipment
Water pump: Oxygenation is essential, fish need sufficient oxygen to survive and grow, so it is necessary to install a suitable water pump to ensure the dissolved oxygen in the water.
Water quality testing equipment: water quality and temperature should be monitored at all times to ensure that the fish live in a suitable environment.
Water treatment system: establish a water purification system to ensure clean water quality.
Hydroponic beds: Hydroponic beds are not necessary, but they are an attractive system. In indoor aquaculture, fish can be raised in tanks or ponds with hydroponic beds set up next to them to grow plants. The wastewater from the fish tank can provide fertilizer for the plants in the hydroponic bed. A common pairing is tilapia and herbs.
Heavy equipment: If the culture is indoor, only basic equipment may be needed to transport feed from the storage building to the fish culture building. If the culture is outdoors, heavy equipment is needed to maintain the intake and drainage areas of the pond, and even to rebuild the pond area if necessary.
Nets and nets: If fish (e.g. salmon) are cultured in marine waters, nets or nets are required. Recent studies have shown that nets made of copper alloys have a great advantage in preventing the growth of algae and fungi, and that copper alloy nets can also be used for fishing.
Pond Design
Ponds do not need to be very deep; in fact, if the pond is deep to begin with, nets may need to be constructed to limit the depth at which fish can move. Generally, it is sufficient to maintain a pond depth of 4 – 6 feet (about 1.2 – 1.8 meters). The size of the pond depends on the design of the farm.
A rule of thumb is that the stocking density of a pond is based on the surface area of the pond, not the volume. Stocking densities are usually 2,000 – 6,000 pounds per acre, depending on the species of fish being farmed.
If one wanted to build a pond with a capacity of one million gallons, the dimensions would be approximately 267 feet (about 81.4 meters) long, 50 feet (about 15.2 meters) wide, and 10 feet (about 3 meters) deep.
Fish Health Management
A fish health management program is in place to prevent and control disease. Monitor fish on a regular basis to identify and address any health problems in a timely manner. This includes regular checks on fish appearance, behavior and feeding, as well as conducting necessary water quality tests and disease diagnosis.
Building a Pond
The best land for building a pond is flat or slightly sloping and has a high clay content in the soil. When building a pond, remember to leave some land around the pond for feeding and harvesting fish.
If you don’t have the relevant construction experience yourself, you can hire a professional contractor to do the job.
Recruitment Of Staff
A good fishery manager needs to have the expertise and skills to monitor water quality. Feeding fish is a daily task, and like most agricultural operations, fish cannot survive weekends without food or without anyone paying attention to water quality.
Similar to many land-based agricultural industries, it may be necessary to recruit seasonal employees to assist during the harvest season.
Promoting Your Fishery
There are two main ways to sell fish:
Wholesale: selling live fish to processors, this method has the advantage of selling in large quantities but at relatively low prices.
Retail: selling fish directly to grocery stores or restaurants. The retail price is usually $1 per pound higher than the wholesale price, with a relatively large profit margin.
Challenges Of Starting a Fish Farming Business
High Capital Investment
Fish farm farming is a capital-intensive business that requires a large amount of capital for purchasing equipment, constructing ponds, and purchasing fish fry and feed.
High Labor Or Management Intensity
Daily feeding, water quality monitoring and disease prevention and control require a lot of labor and effort, and demand high professional skills from managers.
Fry Self-Infestation And High Mortality Rate
At the fry stage, some fish may kill each other, resulting in a high mortality rate of the fry and increasing the culture cost.
Pests and Predators
Farmed fish are susceptible to various pests and diseases, and may also face threats from predators such as birds and otters, requiring effective protective measures.
Lack Of Market Orientation
Although there is a broad market for fish both at home and abroad, many fish farmers start looking for customers only after the fish have matured, and lack the initiative to develop the market, leading to poor marketing results and affecting profits.
Lack Of Suitable Farm Sites
It is not easy to find a farm site with sufficient water supply, suitable soil conditions for pond construction, and convenient transportation and proximity to markets, which has become an obstacle for some people to develop their fish farm business.
Lack Of Proper Planning And Design
In some developing countries and regions, the lack of proper planning and design by fish farmers has resulted in poorly constructed ponds and problems such as water leakage, which increases unnecessary expenses and reduces profit potential.
Unreasonable Investment Planning
Many people think that fish farm farming is low investment and high profit, and blindly expand the scale of farming and build multiple ponds, which leads to difficulties in capital turnover and affects the smooth operation of production.
Lack Of Technical Experience
Both freshwater aquaculture and marine aquaculture involve some specialized techniques. For some farmers located in rural areas, acquiring technical knowledge and experience may be difficult, affecting the success rate of aquaculture.
Conclusion
Conducting fish farming business requires a comprehensive consideration of a number of aspects, ranging from the selection of suitable culture species and methods, to careful planning of the site, procurement of equipment, management of water quality and fish health, and coping with various possible challenges. Despite the many difficulties faced by the fish farm farming business, it is possible to succeed in this industry if you are well informed and well prepared to overcome them. It is hoped that this article will provide useful reference and guidance for those interested in entering the field of fish farm farming.
