Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

Unit 5 - Finfish culture systems

5.1.4. Grow-out

Fish ponds

• Fish ponds are made coastal low lands/mudflats. The land should between average sea level and 45 cm above sea level.
• Pond can be filled and drained through gravity.
• The elevation should be such that ponds can be dried completely. Soil should be loamy or silty loam.
• The farm consists of production ponds, wintering ponds, nursery ponds and water canals.

Production ponds

• The area of the production ponds is 3 – 8 ha, their long sides at 90^o to prevailing wind.
• Bottom is flat with a drop of 3 cm per 100 m².
• Trenches converging at sluice gates should be made at the bottom.
• Water depth should be maintained at 45 cm.

Wintering ponds

• When temperatures fall below 15^oC deeper wintering ponds are necessary.
• They comprise 2-5% of the farm area.
  

Nursery ponds

• Nursery ponds vary in size form 18 to 25m wide and 20 cm deep along the length of the production ponds.
• They consist of 2-3% of the farm area.
  

Water canals

• Water canals are constructed to supply and drain water to and from the ponds.
• They are connected to sluice gates and can be up to 15 m wide.