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

Explanation should include

- types of ponds (e.g., watershed, levee, excavated)
- water sources/availability
- site selection
  - soil characteristics (clay content)
  - climate
  - topography (drainage, flooding)
  - runoff

- source and materials
- engineering/construction requirements
  - address given formulas and case situation
  - determine the size for a fish pond including acreage, shape, capacity, and depth maintenance
  - address dam inspection and repair
  - address the repair and maintenance of plant cover and clean water
  - address best practices for pond fertilization

- species selection/suitability for pond culture
  - catfish
  - striped bass
  - crawfish
  - drum
  - carp
  - shrimp

- preventive controls/biosecurity
  - best management practices (BMPs) for ponds

- advantages of ponds
- disadvantages of ponds
- stocking densities based on species and pond size
  - communication
    - delivery
    - buyer
    - management

  - water quality awareness/requirements
    - temperature
    - pH

  - importance of recording pond maintenance
  - necessary supplies for harvesting
    - nets
    - buckets
    - truck-to-pond

  - access to a pond and the necessary equipment to prepare the pond for stocking according to BMPs

- factors in production
  - feeding methods used with ponds (e.g., hand, mechanical, natural)
    - types of feed (e.g., floating, sinking, neutral buoyancy pellets)
    - frequency of feed
    - amount of feed

  - oxygen management (aeration devices).

Process/Skill Questions:

- What could happen if a pond were constructed in a flood zone?
- What are the consequences of poor site selection?
- Why use a pond over another aquatic system?
- Why is maintenance important?
- What are some causes of crop loss in ponds?
- What are some preventative measures for reducing crop loss in ponds?
- How are fish acclimated to a new aquatic environment?
- What are the consequences of not following BMPs?
- What are some forms of stress fish might experience (e.g., physical, chemical, perceived stressors)?
- Why is record keeping and training personnel important?
- Why might a pond require oxygen supplementation?