Title: Explain cage culture.
Course: Aquaculture Infusion Units (AIU) > Section: Comparing Types of Aquaculture Operations

Explanation should include

- factors in site selection (e.g., depth of water, water quality, prevailing winds, natural currents)
- species suitability
- source and materials
  - rearing aquaculture species inside confined enclosures (to include cages, net pens, baskets, etc.) in freshwater and marine environments
  - types of cages (i.e., fixed, floating, submersible, and submerged)
  - cage requirements (vary by species and location)

- engineering/construction (to incorporate cage design requirements)
- cage maintenance
  - clean fish cages in accordance with BMPs (routine scrubbing)
  - use anti-fouling materials
  - arrange and secure fish cages in the pond

- preventive controls/biosecurity
  - BMPs for cages

- advantages of cage culture
- disadvantages of cage culture
- stocking densities based on species and cage size
- factors in production
- species selection for cage culture
  - salmon
  - catfish
  - tilapia
  - trout
  - striped bass
  - red drum
  - bluegill
  - carp

- feeding methods for cages (feeding ring).

Process/Skill Questions:

- What types of problems are associated with putting a cage in a pond vs. an ocean?
- What are the consequences of poor site selection?
- Why is security an issue?
- Why is maintenance important?
- What are some causes of crop loss?
- What are some preventative measures for reducing crop loss in cages?
- What are some of the environmental impacts caused by cage culture in different environments?
- How important is the feeding ring in cage culture?
- What are the causes, consequences, and solutions of fish cage fouling?
- What are the benefits of proper cage maintenance?
- How can you reduce stress on a species when cleaning the cage?
- How does fouling reduce water flow?
- How is water quality affected when fish are overfed?