Types of Aquaculture

From seaweed and bivalves to carnivorous finfish, the needs, conditions, and effects of farming depend on the species and method employed.

From seaweed and bivalves to carnivorous finfish, aquaculture comprises many types of seafood. Broadly, these are categories of farmed organisms cultivated for food production:

• Pisciculture includes the farming of fresh or saltwater finfish, such as salmon, carp, sea bass, tilapia, catfish, and trout. 

• Shellfish cultivation includes shrimp and bivalves, such as oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops.

• Algaculture includes plants such as kelp, seaweed, and algae.

We can further categorize farmed seafood by the environment or method required to cultivate it. For instance, tilapia, which are omnivorous freshwater fish, are grown in inland ponds or tanks.  Salmon, a carnivorous species, are often raised in offshore pens that are open to the natural environment and require a diet that includes raw fish.  Bivalves are usually farmed in coastal regions on nets or out on the open seafloor.  

Given the significant differences in seafood farming methods, some species are considered more sustainable and healthier for both the environment and people than others. One example is Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems, which combine different species to create a less intensive, balanced system.

For more on the potential for sustainable aquaculture, read the Responsible Options section.