ABSTRACT
Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors of U.S.
agriculture and worldwide. In 2006, aquaculture produc-
tion was over 51 million tons, constituting almost 47% of
total worldwide fish production (including freshwater and
seawater fisheries, excluding seaweeds).[1] Worldwide
aquaculture production of Atlantic salmon accounts for
approximately 99.8% of the total production. The corre-
sponding aquaculture contributions are 48%, 97%, and
76%, for shrimp, oysters, and tilapias, respectively.[2] The
prospects for continued growth are excellent given the
increasing demand for fish, the limitations on further
increases in wild fisheries production, and the constant
improvements in production systems.
