Republic of the Philippines

Benguet State University

College of Engineering
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
La Trinidad, Benguet 2601

ABE 145 AQUACULTURE ENGINEERING

MODULE

Course Description
Principles of planning aquaculture systems; layout of farm.

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. Learners will be able to develop appreciation in the impacts of aquaculture locally and
globally;
2. Learners will be able to perform appropriate characterization of important aquaculture
species; and
3. Solve problems in irrigation and drainage engineering.

Course Requirements:
1. Class Standing = 66.66%
Quizzes = 33.33%
Laboratory Activities/Problem Sets = 33.33%
2. Examinations = 33.34%
Midterm Examination
Final Examination
For course evaluation, please refer to your course syllabus

Introduction

Aquacultural Engineering is concerned with the design and development of effective

aquacultural systems for marine and freshwater facilities. Aquaculture engineering is deeply
concerned with water issues, especially water circulation and water quality. These areas require
expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, and aspects of oceanography, civil engineering, environmental
engineering and agricultural engineering.

Aquacultural Engineering aims to develop this bioengineering interface for aquaculture

and welcomes contributions in the following areas:

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
2nd Semester SY 2021 – 2022
For Benguet State University use only
  Engineering and design of aquaculture facilities
 Engineering-based research studies
 Construction experience and techniques
 In-service experience, commissioning, operation
 Materials selection and their uses
 Quantification of biological data and constraints

Module and Unit Topics

Module 1: Introduction to Aquaculture

Importance of aquaculture systems
Survey of aquaculture systems in the Philippines

Module 2: Review of basic biological characteristics and requirements of important

aquaculture species ( tilapia, milkfish, prawn, catfish, mudfish and eel)
Unit 1 Selection criteria and characteristics of important aquaculture species
Unit 2 Production cycles of selected aquaculture species
Unit 3 Environmental and water quality requirements
Unit 4 Culture practices and other considerations

Module 3: Aquaculture production system, design and requirements

Unit 1 Aquaculture site selection criteria
Unit 2 Aquaculture processes
Unit 3 Pond system
Unit 4 Pen and cage system
Unit 5 Tank and recirculating system
Unit 6 Flow-through systems
Unit 7 Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)
Unit 8 Integrated system
Unit 9 Hatchery design and construction

Module 4: Technical and economic feasibility considerations

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
2nd Semester SY 2021 – 2022
For Benguet State University use only
 MODULE 1

Study Guide:
1. Read and understand every topic.
2. Be mindful in accomplishing the various activities of the module. Practice time
management.
3. Be reminded that you are the learner so you must do the module on your own. You can
seek help from classmates, but the activities should be done individually.
4. You may contact me for any clarifications and questions regarding the topic.

Objectives:
By the end of this module, students are expected to:
1. Discuss the aquaculture practices and methods
2. Differentiate the different culture systems, and
3. Discuss the existing aquaculture practices and methods in the Philippines.

To Do List:

Date Activity Reminders

January 24, 2022 Read and understand the following topics:
 What is Aquaculture?

 Overview of Aquaculture
Methods and Practices

 General Overview of
Aquaculture in the Philippines

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
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For Benguet State University use only
 MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO AQUACULTURE

What is Aquaculture?

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic

organisms in both coastal and inland areas
involving interventions in the rearing process to
enhance production.

The term aquaculture broadly refers to

the cultivation of aquatic organisms in
controlled aquatic environments for any
commercial, recreational or public purpose. The
breeding, rearing and harvesting of plants and
animals takes place in all types of water https://www.seafdec.org.ph/our-organization/stations-
environments including ponds, rivers, lakes, the facilities/igang-marine-station/
ocean and man-made “closed” systems on land.

It is also defined as the fishery operation involving the breeding and farming of fish and
other fishery species in fresh, marine and brackishwater areas.

Aquaculture serves many purposes,

including:

 Food production for human

consumption;
 Rebuilding of populations of
threatened and endangered species;
 Habitat restoration;
 Wild stock enhancement;
 Production of baitfish; and
 Fish culture for zoos and aquariums. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/aquaculture-
types-benefits-importance.php

It is one of the fastest growing forms of food production in the world. Because harvest from
many wild fisheries has peaked globally, aquaculture is widely recognized as an effective way to
meet the seafood demands of a growing population.

Using aquaculture techniques and technologies, researchers and the aquaculture industry
are “farming” all types of freshwater and marine species of fish and shellfish.

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
2nd Semester SY 2021 – 2022
For Benguet State University use only
 Overview of Aquaculture Methods and Practices

A number of aquaculture practices are used world-wide in three types of environment

(freshwater, brackishwater, and marine) for a great variety of culture organisms.

a. Freshwater aquaculture is carried out either in fish ponds, fish pens, fish cages or, on a
limited scale, in rice paddies.

b. Brackishwater aquaculture is done mainly in fish ponds located in coastal areas.

c. Marine culture employs either fish cages or substrates for mollusks and seaweeds such
as stakes, ropes, and rafts.

Culture systems range from extensive to intensive depending on the stocking density of the
culture organisms, the level of inputs, and the degree of management. In countries where
government priority is directed toward increased fish production from aquaculture to help meet
domestic demand, either as a result of the lack of access to large waterbodies (e.g., Nepal, Central
African Republic) or the over-exploitation of marine or inland fisheries (e.g., Thailand, Zambia),
aquaculture practices are almost exclusively oriented toward production for domestic
consumption.

These practices include:

(i) freshwater pond culture;

(ii) rice-fish culture or integrated fish farming;
(iii) brackishwater finfish culture;
(iv) mariculture involving extensive culture and producing fish/shellfish (e.g., oysters,
mussels, cockles) which are sold in rural and urban markets at relatively low prices.

Aquaculture production systems and practices, by region

Scope for Future
Major
Major Culture Major Culture Development/Needs
Region Culture
Species Systems for Further
Practices
Expansion
At least 75 Traditional - Fish ponds Development of
species; diverse extensive to - Fish pens culture-based fisheries
freshwater and intensive and fish in inland lakes, rivers,
ASIA marine species, cages floodplains, and
including high- - Floating permanent and
value shrimps, rafts, lines, temporary reservoirs
molluscs, and stakes and barrages

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
2nd Semester SY 2021 – 2022
For Benguet State University use only
 seaweeds, with for molluscs Resource enhancement
carps and and programmes integrated
seaweeds seaweeds with environmental
dominating management
production
Mussels and Intensive/semi- - Hanging Production of high-
oysters, red intensive to lines for value species for select
seaweeds extensive mussels and markets;
pearl oysters
- Offshore Small-scale
cages for aquaculture for local
salmon markets;
PACIFIC - Pond Improved management
culture for of fishery resources,
shrimps, particularly reef
tilapia, fisheries
catfish,
milkfish
- Freshwater
pens for
crayfish
50 species of Extensive to - Offshore Production of species
fish, semi-intensive cage for export and marine
crustaceans, and and Intensive farming of shrimp and salmon
molluscs, Pacific and
including Atlantic
freshwater fish salmon
and marine
shrimps in - Ocean
South America ranching in
and molluscs in Southern
LATIN AMERICA Central America Ocean

- Semi-
intensive
farming of
marine
shrimp in
coastal
ponds and
extensive
farming of

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
2nd Semester SY 2021 – 2022
For Benguet State University use only
 freshwater
fish in ponds
>26 freshwater Mainly extensive, - Fish pond Increased emphasis on
fish; the most rural-based, culture for higher value catfishes
important being integrated with freshwater for urban markets, on
tilapia and poultry and fish marine species of fish
common carp, animal and crustaceans for
molluscs and husbandry, rice- - Raceways select national market
oysters also fish farming; and floating and export
AFRICA
some intensive in cages for Culture-based fisheries
raceways and marine in lakes and reservoirs
floating cages species
Development of
coastal lagoons which
are almost totally
unexploited

>50 individual Well-diversified - Fish pond Production of high-

species, mostly modern practices, - Fish cages value species of
freshwater and with highly - Ocean tourism and export
brackishwater technical and ranching
fishes - most intensive systems Integrated coastal zone
MEDITERRANEAN
important being in developing management
salmonids and countries and
carps; oysters semi-intensive
and mussels and extensive
elsewhere
About 16 - Floating Priority is for
species of cages in aquaculture production
tilapias, carps, reservoirs for local markets
marine shrimp - Fish pond
and, freshwater farming in
prawns, oysters freshwater
and seaweeds
CARIBBEAN - Culture-
based
fisheries in
reservoirs
- Rope
production
of molluscs
Source: ADCP Aquaculture Regional Profiles, 1989b

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
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Cultured Species

Aquaculture species cultured include:

1. milkfish (Chanos chanos),
2. Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ),
3. Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus ),
4. common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ),
5. bighead carp ( Aristichthys nobilis ) and others,
6. walking catfish (Clarias batrachus ),
7. North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus ),
8. snakehead murrel (Channa striata ),
9. giant gourami (Osphronemus gouramy ),
10. barramundi ( Lates calcarifer ),
11. grouper (Eucheuma spp.), https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/aquaculture-
types-benefits-importance.php
12. orange-spotted spinefoot (Siganus guttatus ),
13. vermiculated spinefoot (Siganus vermiculatus ),
14. spotted scat (Scatophagus argus ),
15. giant tiger prawn ( Penaeus monodon ),
16. other penaeid prawns: Indian white prawn ( Penaeus Indicus ),
17. banana prawn (Penaeus merguiensis ),
18. greasyback shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis ),
19. mud crab (Scylla serrata, Scylla oceanica ),
20. giant freshwater prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ),
21. lobsters (Panulirus spp.),
22. slipper cupped oyster (Crassostrea iredalei, Saccostrea spp.),
23. green mussel (Perna viridis ),
24. abalone (Haliotis asinine ), and
25. seaweed (Eucheuma spp., Gracilaria spp., Caulerpa spp.).

Culture Systems

1. Extensive systems use low stocking densities (e.g., 5 000-10 000) shrimp post larvae
(PL)/ha/crop) and no supplemental feeding, although fertilization may be done to stimulate the
growth and production of natural food in the water. Water change is effected through tidal
means, i.e., new water is let in only during high tide and the pond can be drained only at low
tide.
The ponds used for extensive culture are usually large (more than two ha) and may be
shallow and not fully cleared of tree stumps. Production is generally low at less than 1 t/ha/y.

2. Semi-intensive systems use densities higher than extensive systems (e.g., 50 000-100 000
shrimp PL/ha/crop) and use supplementary feeding.

3. Intensive culture uses very high densities of culture organism (e.g., 200 000-300 000 shrimp
PL/ha/crop) and is totally dependent on artificial, formulated feeds. Both systems use small
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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
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For Benguet State University use only
 pond compartments of up to one ha in size for ease of management.

Comparative Features among the Three Main Culture Systems

Parameter Extensive Semi-Intensive Intensive
Species Used Monoculture or Monoculture Monoculture
Polyculture
Stocking Rate Moderate Higher than extensive Maximum
culture
Very well engineered
With provisions for
May or may not be system with pumps and
effective water
well laid-out aerators to control water
Engineering management
quality and quantity
Design and
Very big ponds Manageable-sized units Small ponds, usually 0.5-1
Layout
(up to 2 ha each) ha each
Ponds may or may Fully cleaned ponds Fully cleaned ponds
not be fully cleaned
Used to enhance Used regularly with lime Not used
Fertilizer
natural productivity
Pesticides Not used Used regularly for Used regularly for
prohylaxis prophylaxis
None Regular feeding of high Full feeding of high-quality
quality feeds feeds
Food and
Feeding Depending on stocking
Regimen density used, formulated
feeds may be used partially
or totally
Cropping
Frequency 2 2.5 2.5
(crops/y)
Good quality Good quality Good quality
Culture species Confined to culture species Confined to culture species
Quality of dominant but
Product extraneous species
may occur
Variable sizes Uniform sizes Uniform sizes

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
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 General Overview of Aquaculture in the Philippines

Aquaculture in the Philippines has a long history and involves many species and farming
practices in diverse ecosystems. Most of the production comes from the farming of seaweed,
milkfish, tilapia, shrimp, carp, oyster and mussel. Aquaculture contributes significantly to the
country's food security, employment and foreign exchange earnings.

Aquaculture contributes significantly to the country's food security, employment and

foreign exchange earnings. Aquaculture is growing much faster than capture fisheries. However,
the global position of the Philippines in aquaculture production has fallen steadily from 4th place
in 1985 to 12th place today. The Philippines now contributes only a little over one percent of global
farmed fish production compared to five percent previously.

It is generally accepted that the earliest fishponds were brackish water growing milkfish,
using naturally occurring fry from tidal waters. For a very long time, aquaculture in the Philippines
was virtually synonymous with milkfish culture, specifically in brackish water ponds, relying
totally on natural food. In the early 1970s milkfish farming expanded to include culture in bamboo
and net pens set in Laguna de Bay - the country's largest freshwater lake. In the early 1990s
milkfish culture in fish pens spread to shallow marine bays and estuaries, particularly in the
Lingayen Gulf area. Milkfish culture soon spread to net cages which were fixed or floating in both
freshwater and marine water. The culture of milkfish in cages depended upon and was hastened by
the development and marketing of commercial feed by the feed millers (Yap, 1999).

Major aquaculture species in the Philippines

The seven major aquaculture species in the Philippines are:

1. Seaweed (mainly Kappaphycus and Eucheuma spp.).
2. Milkfish (Chanos chanos ).
3. Tilapia (mainly Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus ).
4. Shrimp (mainly giant tiger prawn Penaeus monodon ).
5. Carp (mainly bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis ).
6. Oyster (slipper cupped oyster Crassostrea iredalei ).
7. Mussel (green mussel Perna viridis ).

Practices/Systems of Culture in the Philippines

Aquaculture in the Philippines is carried out in diverse ecosystems (freshwater, brackish

water and marine) using various culture systems with different degrees of intensification. For
example, milkfish is cultured in brackish water ponds, fish pens in freshwater lakes, fish pens in
shallow bays, fixed or floating lake-based cages, and sea-based cages. Probably no other
aquaculture species is produced under a wider range of environment and culture systems.

The level of development of aquaculture in the Philippines varies greatly from one species
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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
2nd Semester SY 2021 – 2022
For Benguet State University use only
to another. It ranges from almost zero technology for
spotted scat, to genetic manipulation for Nile tilapia.
Within species the culture system ranges from
extensive earthen pond systems yielding only 500 kg
per hectare, to highly intensive marine cages capable
of harvesting as much as 50 000 kg in an area
measuring no more than 300 m2 , as is the case with
milkfish (Yap, 1999).

1. Milkfish Production
https://ussec.org/philippine-milkfish-farm-takes-part-
Milkfish production comes from brackish feed-comparative-feeding-demonstration/
water fishponds.

2. Shrimp Production

Shrimp farming in the Philippines uses a

variety of systems which are affected by the
climate, availability of capital, site location,
sources of water supply, the marketing of harvested
products and the availability and cost of farm
inputs. Shrimp farming follows the traditional,
semi-intensive and intensive system.
https://ussec.org/philippine-milkfish-farm-takes-part-
feed-comparative-feeding-demonstration/
3. Tilapia Production

Most tilapia production comes from

freshwater ponds and cages.

 Freshwater ponds
In the semi-intensive monoculture of Nile
tilapia in one-metre deep earthen ponds (0.25-1
ha), fingerlings (0.25-0.5 g) are stocked at 3-
5/m2 . With fertilization/feeding, yields of 4-8
tonnes/ha/crop of three - four months are
obtained for fish weighing 150 - 250 g at harvest.

 Cages
https://ussec.org/philippine-milkfish-farm-takes-part-
In 100 m2 floating cages, Nile tilapia feed-comparative-feeding-demonstration/
fingerlings (1.6 g) are stocked at an average of
67/m2 and grown for five months with feed. An average yield of 540 kg/cage/crop is obtained
and the fish weigh 175 g each.
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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
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4. Carp Production

Most of the carp recently produced is

bighead carp from freshwater pens of Laguna
Lake, the country's largest lake. Bighead carp
does not require expensive feeds and very high
production can be achieved in a small area.

5. Oyster and Mussel Production

https://ussec.org/philippine-carp-farm-takes-part-feed-
Oyster and mussel farming takes place comparative-feeding-demonstration/
in open coastal waters. The methods
commonly used for oyster culture are bottom,
stake and hanging either from a rack or raft-
rack.

The stake method is the most

commonly used. In terms of productivity, the
hanging method is the most productive,
followed by the stake, then the bottom
method. (Gallardo, 2001)
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/17/fake-tahong-
 Bottom and stake methods are used in invades-bacoor-mussel-farms/
shallow (intertidal) areas, whereas the
 Hanging method is used in deeper areas.

6. Seaweed Production

For seaweed production farming methods can be classified under two: farming in shallow
waters and farming in deep waters.

 Farming in shallow waters - bottom and stake

methods. Farming in shallow waters is the
simplest and the cheapest to start with. However,
it is more susceptible to "ice-ice disease" and
grazing by small pelagic fishes.

 Farming in deep waters - Monoline, raft and

spider web methods are used in deep waters.
https://www.xu.edu.ph/departments-cas/economics-cas/9-webinfo/122-seaweed-area-
gis-based-mapping-as-production-support-system-for-seaweeds-farming-in-the- Farming in deep waters means increased
philippines
production capacity and yield, and higher value of
the seaweed species produced. One of the
disadvantages is the higher start-up capital required.
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References:

Code of Practice for Aquaculture. Fisheries Code of the Philippines.

https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/LAW?fi=359#:~:text=Aquaculture.,b.&text=%2D%20The%20size%
20of%20population%20of,f.

National Aquaculture Sector Review.

https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/countrysector/naso_philippines

Funge-Smith, S. Phillips, M.J. 2001. Aquaculture systems and species.

https://www.fao.org/3/ab412e/ab412e07.htm

R.P.Subasinghe, P. Bueno, M.J. Phillips, C. Hough, S.E. McGladdery & J.R. Arthur, eds.
Aquaculture in the Third Millennium. Technical Proceedings of the Conference on Aquaculture in
the Third Millennium, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-25 February 2000. pp. 129-135. NACA, Bangkok
and FAO, Rome.

What is Aquaculture?. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/aquaculture.html

Aquaculture Engineering. Aquaculture Engineering Society.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/aquacultural-engineering/about/aims-and-scope

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Lecture Module ABE 145 Aquaculture Engineering
2nd Semester SY 2021 – 2022
For Benguet State University use only