What is the Difference Between Pisciculture and Aquaculture

The main difference between pisciculture and aquaculture is that aquaculture refers to the breeding and rearing of all aquatic animals, aquatic plants, and sea vegetables, while pisciculture only involves the process of breeding and rearing of fish.

In other words, pisciculture deals with all types of aquatic organisms, while aquaculture deals with only fish. Both fields involve the commercial breeding of organisms for human use. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Pisciculture 
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is Aquaculture
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Pisciculture and Aquaculture
     – Outline of Common features
4. Difference Between Pisciculture and Aquaculture
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Pisciculture, Aquaculture

What is Pisciculture

Pisciculture refers to the commercial breeding of fish, mainly for consumption. Pisciculture is usually done in fish tanks or in manmade enclosures like ponds. It is also known as fish farming. Pisciculture is the most frequently seen method of aquaculture. In pisciculture, manufacturers breed a  carefully selected group of freshwater or saltwater fish, either in saltwater or freshwater. Many people engage in pisciculture as it is a good source of income, which gives a cheap source of protein to fulfill the nutritional needs of the customers. In fact, it creates job opportunities for thousands of people all around the world, especially in Asia, where unemployment is higher in the impoverished areas.

Figure 1: Pisciculture

Pisciculture can produce a larger quantity of fish than the fishing industry, which happens in the oceans. However, pisciculture has its own con too. For instance, fish farms have a huge amount of fish restricted into a limited area; if the fish die or excrete waste, the waste matters are usually released into the local water sources, contaminating and polluting them.

What is Aquaculture

Aquaculture refers to the breeding and rearing of all aquatic animals, including fish, oysters, prawns, mollusks, algae, and aquatic plants of value. It is also called aqua farming. Aquaculture plays a vital role in coping with the world’s protein supply. According to estimations, one of every four fish we eat comes from a fish farm. Although aquaculture is essential to keep up with the world’s seafood demand, aquaculture has its own pros and cons.

Figure 2: Oyster Farming

Apart from being a source of food for people and marine species, aquaculture also provides a livelihood for many people and fishermen as it opens up many job opportunities. However, aquaculture also has some crucial issues: propagation of invasive species, a threat to the coastal ecosystem, and contamination in water bodies are some of these issues.

Similarities Between Pisciculture and Aquaculture

• Pisciculture and aquaculture focus on the commercial breeding of all aquatic animals for consumption.
• They help to keep up with the daily protein demand of consumers.
• Both pisciculture and aquaculture provide lots of job opportunities to fishermen and many other people.
• Both pisciculture and aquaculture use salt water and fresh water

Difference Between Pisciculture and Aquaculture

Definition

Aquaculture refers to the breeding and rearing of all aquatic animals, aquatic plants, and sea vegetables, while pisciculture refers to the breeding and rearing of fish.

Breeding Organisms

Pisciculture only breeds fish, while aquaculture breeds not only fish but other aquatic organisms like prawns and oysters, mollusks, algae, sea vegetables, etc.

Main Use

While pisciculture produces commercially valuable flora and fauna, aquaculture produces fish as a source of food.

Conclusion

The main difference between pisciculture and aquaculture is that aquaculture refers to the breeding and rearing of all aquatic animals, aquatic plants, and sea vegetables, while pisciculture only involves the process of breeding and rearing of fish. However, pisciculture and aquaculture have their own pros and cons. Both pisciculture and aquaculture give commercially valuable products. At the same time, it’s interesting to note that  the commercial value of aquaculture products is higher compared to that of pisciculture

Reference:

1. “Fish Farming.” Animal Welfare Institute.
2. “Aquaculture.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Fish-farming-fishes-meal-trout” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Oyster-farm-shellfish-fis-oyster” (CC0) via Pixabay