ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the theoretical basis and practical aspects of semi-intensive fish culture practices in Chinese reservoirs, from the perspective of fish nutrition and feed utilization. Approximately 86,300 reservoirs have been developed since water conservation technologies were first introduced in China during the 1950s. The fish species available for stocking and their feeding habits, together with the availability of natural food organisms in reservoirs dictates that the semi-intensive fishery is the most suitable model for reservoir fisheries in China at present and for the foreseeable future. The forms of semi-intensive culture practiced in reservoirs appear to be diverse. Fish culture in coves of a reservoir represents a higher level of semi-intensive culture practice than fish culture in the open water. Fish culture in cages represents the highest form of intensification seen in reservoirs.
