Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Aquaculture refers to the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae and other organisms in all types of water environments.
Related terms
Mariculture: This is a specialized branch of aquaculture that involves the cultivation of marine organisms for food and other products in the open ocean, an enclosed section of the ocean, or in tanks filled with seawater.
Fish farming: This is a form of aquaculture where fish are raised in enclosures to be sold as food.
Algae culture: The process of cultivating algae (a type of aquatic plant) for various purposes such as biofuel production, human consumption or use in cosmetics.