Site SelectionSite Selection

Developed by the Harbor Branch ACTED staff

What is the perfect site?What is the perfect site?

• Location• Climate• Culture

Site SelectionSite Selection• Location of culture facilityLocation of culture facility

• Type of culture systemType of culture system

• Species selectedSpecies selected

• Biophysical requirementsBiophysical requirements

• Processing & MarketingProcessing & Marketing

• Legal RestrictionsLegal Restrictions

• Economic ClimateEconomic Climate

Production MethodsProduction Methods

Ponds Raceways Cages

Bottom culture Net pens Recirculating systems

US Farms by Method of Aquaculture US Farms by Method of Aquaculture Production UsedProduction Used

Levee Pond CultureLevee Pond Culture

Levee ponds are the most common fish production method

Common food species– catfish– hybrid striped bass– tilapia

Site selection– topography– pesticides– utilities– drainage– wetlands– clay content

Construction– levee– depth– slope– water – drains

Production rates500 – 3000 kg/acre

Levee PondsLevee Ponds

Time spent analyzing a site is time well spent

Many problems associated with levee ponds can be traced back to poor site selection

Site SelectionSite Selection

RacewaysRaceways

Water supply– use large

quantities of water

– gravity springs are most economical

Location– near water supply

Photograph by HBOI

CagesCages Site selection

– water sources– water quality

Types– round– rectangular

Photograph by HBOI

Cage PlacementCage Placement Specifications

– open areas of water to allow good circulation

– provide space between cages

– number depends on size of pond (carrying capacity)

Net PensNet Pens Organisms are reared in natural systems No diversion or pumping of water Monitoring water quality is essential Environments with high flow rates

disperse fish wastes Requires daily servicing of cages High risk in hurricanes and tropical

storms

Net PensNet Pens

Photograph by HBOI

Recirculating SystemsRecirculating SystemsSite components

– building– tanks– filtration– pump house– emergency generator– 3 phase electricity– bulk feed storage– oxygen supply

Photograph by HBOI

Building ConstructionBuilding Construction

Enclosed & Semi-enclosedPhotograph by HBOI

Photograph by HBOIPhotograph by HBOI

Culture TanksCulture Tanks

Photograph by HBOIPhotograph by HBOI

Water FlowWater Flow

Photograph by HBOI

Photograph by HBOI

Water RequirementsWater Requirements Ponds

– 10 – 25 gallons per minute per surface acre Raceways

– 500 gallons per minute Recirculating Systems

– Daily exchange rate average of 10 – 20%

Species SelectionSpecies Selection• Biological Considerations

- Water Temperature & Water Quality- Fresh, Brackish, Saltwater- Growth Rate- Feeding Habits- Reproduction- Hardiness- Productivity

• Marketing• Economics

Always Remember Your Production Strategy:Always Remember Your Production Strategy:

“to produce

the optimal quantity of

an proper sized animal

in the shortest period of time

by proper husbandry and

stock manipulation”