Aquaculture in the United States is a significant agribusiness industry, but it is also a troubled one whose future is clouded by doubt. Many aquaculture practices, such as deliberately introducing exotic species, hatcheries programs, and pen culture in protected waters have come under intense attack from environmentalists. Economic pressures on the industry from the value of coastal land, the unavailability of suitable supplies of water, and the legal costs of regulations have restricted growth. This book looks at the past, present and future of a troubled industry.

A comprehensive, one-stop reference to the science, technology, and economics of aquaculture Technological advances, coupled with the mounting pressures of global food production, have dramatically changed aquaculture in recent decades. And while there has been an explosion of books and articles on its different facets, none of these provide a single comprehensive reference to this evolving and fascinating field. With an emphasis on current trends and sustainable practices, the Encyclopedia of Aquaculture presents complete A-to-Z coverage for a multitude of scientific, technical, and economic topics encompassed by the discipline. From abalone to zooplankton culture, over 150 timely and authoritative entries explore such areas as:

• Primary species being cultured worldwide, as well as species under development
• Echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans, and finfishes
• Aquaculture for food, research, bait, aquariums, and endangered species recovery
• Management techniques for water and feed quality as well as disease control
• Different aquaculture systems-from pond production to marine net-pens
• Environmental issues and the economic feasibility of closed and offshore systems
• Business plans, marketing, and sales

Complete with photographs, illustrations, and graphs as well as references to the extensive literature, the Encyclopedia of Aquaculture is a handy, easily accessible resource for scientists and professionals in aquaculture as well as individuals wishing to expand their knowledge of the field.