This book is included in the Self Reliance Gardening section.
Introduction Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms in natural or controlled marine or freshwater environments. There is a great diversity of activities and industries covered under this broad definition, but the discussion in this manual is restricted to the production of freshwater finfish in Massachusetts. Aquaculture plays an increasingly important role in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in the United States. At present, the value of aquaculture products imported to the United States ranks third, following petroleum and automobiles, and the industry itself is growing as both small operations and large facilities are established. In Massachusetts, finfish are grown for food and bait, for stocking into rivers, lakes and ponds, for research and instruction and for gardeners and hobbyists. While management and permitting requirements differ among the different types of aquaculture systems, pond culture, flow-through systems and recirculating systems, all production systems share the same environmental concerns: water use and discharge, land use, waste discharge, and the prevention of introduction and spread of invasive species and disease. The practices listed in this manual are intended to assist finfish growers in improving production while preventing or minimizing environmental impact. Best Management Practices (BMP) have a number of uses. They can guide those starting aquaculture projects, expanding or updating facilities, or growers maintaining present operations. We suggest that growers use this manual to conduct audits of their facilities to determine where improvements can be made. Growers may use these guidelines to develop their own farm-specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual. SOPs provide details about the conduct of significant farm practices. An SOP manual is not required for all farms, but the development of farm specific procedures will promote efficient management decisions when trouble shooting problems, training employees or planning future expansions. The manual can also assist growers in developing other plans for their operations, such as biosecurity plans and emergency procedure plans. Anyone contemplating fish farming should develop a business plan. Producers of food products should also prepare Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans: internet links on this topic are provided in the Reference section (Chapter 8). The BMP outlined in this manual can also assist federal, state and local agencies in understanding and evaluating proposed and existing aquaculture facilities to evaluate the suitability, feasibility and support of proposed projects. Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. General Aquaculture Practices Fish Health Aquaculture Chemicals Feed Management Equipment Maintenance Biosecurity Transportation and Handling Predator Management 3. Pond and Cage Culture System System Design Waste Management Water Management Cage Culture 4. Flow Through System System Design Waste Management Water Management 5. Recirculating Aquaculture System System Design Waste Management Water Management 6. Permits and Regulations Massachusetts General Law Chapter 1, section 128 Aquaculture Licenses Permits Importation Water Withdrawal Water Discharge Dredge & Fill Material Discharge Wetland Alteration Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation Federal Storm Water Permit for Construction Projects Food Processing Predator Control 7. Glossary 8. References End of Preview. RETURN to Main Titles Index or Self Reliance Gardening
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