Introduction

Aquaculture production has increased tremendously during the last decade. Consequently, the percentage share of aquaculture in total inland fish production is estimated to be about 75-80%. Two specific aqua-produced, carps and prawns in freshwater aquaculture and shrimps in brackish water aquaculture, have contributed to the bulk as well as value of the inland aquaculture sector. There are basically five types of aquacultural practices followed in India they are Freshwater aquaculture, Brackishwater aquaculture, Mariculture, Coldwater aquaculture and Ornamental fish culture.

Freshwater Aquaculture

Freshwater Aquaculture resources of the country have been estimated of the order of 13.67 million ha, of which 2.25 million ha are in the form of ponds/tanks, 8.27 million ha beels/jheels/derelict water bodies and 3.15 million ha reservoirs. There has been a very impressive growth in fish production during 1990's in the country.

Brackishwater/Coastal Aquaculture

Coastal Aquaculture production in the country largely on account of shrimp farming is estimated that out of about 1.23 million ha identified as potential areas for brackish water fish farming in the country, Of the total area, about 10% area is being farmed at present. Of this area, about 80% is under traditional farming systems and the remaining is under extensive and semiextensive shrimp farming. The activities of shrimp farming on commercial scale are taken up in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The traditional farming systems are located in West Bengal and Kerala. Commercial shrimp farming is more than a decade old in India and both shrimp seed production and farming practices are based on technology imported mainly from South-east Asian countries.

Coldwater Aquaculture

Coldwater fishery resources encompass high and mid altitude lakes, rivers, streams and man-made reservoirs. According to conservative estimates, the riverine stream length holding coldwater fisheries in the two mountainous zones trained by the Indus and its tributaries, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj, Bhagirathi and Alaknanda are about 7,000 kms.

Mariculture

Mariculture is expected to be a major activity in the coastal areas in the years to come. Given the wide spectrum of cultivable species and technologies available, the long coastline and the favourable climate, mariculture is likely to generate considerable interest amongst the coastal population. At a time when we speak of over-exploitation in the near-shore waters, limited access to capture fisheries and the need for diversification, mariculture can be one of the most appropriate alternatives. Technologies for a couple of species are presently available in the country and there is an urgent need for developing package of practices for many more commercially important species (e.g. sea bass, sea bream).

Ornamental Fish culture

Ornamental fishes are no longer an entertainment for the hobbyist alone, they are now a craze the world over in the form of a big business. The world trade in ornamental fishes has touched a record figure of over US$ 1 billion that is growing at about 10% per year with Asia sharing almost 70% of the total export trade. In Asia, the players are Singapore, Hongkong, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, Sri Lanka, and to a much lesser degree, a large number of freshwater ornamental fishes from India that belong to the family Cyprinidae are already known to the world. The family includes the colourful barbs and loaches which are abundant in almost all rivers and hill streams. Puntius, Brachydanio, Danio, Barilius, Rasbora, Esomus, Trichogaster, Garra, Botia, Nemacheilus and Lepidocephalus are well-known genera from the family Cyprinidae. These besides, there are certain catfishes which are equally popular.

(Source: vuatkerala.org)