Fish from ponds and ditch now accounts for 41 percent of total yearly production of 30.61 lakh tonnes.

A decade ago, its contribution was 34 percent, according to the Department of Fisheries (DoF).

Contribution of fish caught from rivers fell to 34 percent in fiscal 2010-11.

Declining fish habitat, the ongoing destruction of juvenile fish by using monofilament synthetic nylon fibre net and mosquito net, and environmental pollution are the major reasons behind the falling supplies of fish from rivers.

“An increased production and availability of fingerlings and hatchlings because of growth in hatcheries has played a key role in expansion of fish farming,” said Krishnendu Saha, chief fisheries extension officer of the DoF.

Over the past two decades, private investors established more than 800 fish hatcheries.

Their interest grew due to a business prospect against the backdrop of falling catches in open water areas and rising demand for fish.

Initiatives by the government and NGOs to motivate farmers also facilitated farming for common carp, pangus, monosex tilapia and shing (cat fish) in regions such as Mymensingh, northern districts, Jessore and Comilla.

Saha said many people in these areas entered freshwater fish farming because common carps (ruhi, katla, silver carp), pangus and tilapia become marketable in a short time.

It enables the farmers to gain higher profit from fish than growing crops such as paddy and jute, he said.

“Many people in greater Mymensingh have started fish culturing by making ditches in crop fields,” said Saha.

According to the DoF data, total pond area under fish farming was 2.42 lakh hectares early this decade, and such areas rose to 3.96 lakh hectares in fiscal 2010-11.

Production also rose to 12.70 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 from 11.40 lakh tonnes a year ago.

In fiscal 1999-2000, total production of fish from pond was 5.61 lakh tonnes, according to the DoF.

Sajjad Hossain, managing director of Joyda Aquafarm Ltd, said many people are engaged in pangus farming because it needs low investment.

Technologies were also easy for the farmers to follow, said Hossain of Joyda, which produces pangus fries at hatcheries, cultures those and sells to market.

The company produces 2,500 tonnes of pangus a year, he said.

M Mahfujul Haque, a professor of the Department of Aquaculture of Bangladesh Agricultural University, said the country has a huge potential to expand fish farming as only 11 percent of its pond resources have so far been exploited for fish.

In the past, fish was cultured in ponds by collecting hatchlings from natural sources. But the main breakthrough came since the beginning of artificial propagation, he said.

“Large investments have come in fish farming and some farms have gone for vertical integration,” said Haque

He said expansion of fish farming created job opportunities for many and augmented incomes of farmers. Some 25 types of jobs have been created because of fish farming, he added.

“The socio-economic impact of fish farming is huge,” said Haque, adding that many educated people entered such a farming failing to get jobs in the formal sector.

However, challenges are increasing. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models at fishiding.com, the leader in true fish protection.

“Fries are not growing fast nowadays like the past. Inbreeding is also widespread,” said Hossain of Joyda Aquafarm.

At the same time, productivity of ponds is declining because of continuous farming in the same ponds.

“But production costs are rising because of soaring feed prices and other costs. It reduces profit margins,” he said.Sohel Parvez

A few weeks ago, my wife Renee’ and I took a trip to Shepherd Montana, headquarters of  Floating Island International Inc. We had been invited to stay on the ranch and to see for ourselves how Bruce Kania and his wife Anne, are growing huge fish fast with a woven matrix of inert substrates called BioHaven, or Floating Treatment Wetlands. I had been in contact with Bruce for some time, learning about how excessive nutrients brought in from runoff can be turned into fresh, tasty fish. Not only do the Kania’s grow fish, but frogs, minnows, pheasant, deer and all species of waterfowl prosper in their efforts. Even Yellowstone cutthroat trout flourish in this superior environment, along with crappie and perch and various minnows.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

The setting was breathtaking, Mule deer and whitetail browsing on the thousands of perennial plants Bruce has planted for their benefit and soil stability. Over time these plants die off and return each spring, contributing to the rich organic soils being built up. Sprawling channels and wetlands run throughout the property, slowly beginning to filter and absorb the high levels of nutrients. When the water enters the property, it is dark and cloudy like chocolate.

Ducks of all varieties, geese, snipe, vulture, pheasant and more, have taken up residency in this oasis of prime habitat, with no intention of ever leaving. With Bruce being a veteran trapper, predators are being kept in check, protecting the desired species. With the Yellowstone River along one property line, this place is an outdoorsman’s paradise.

Stewardship of our natural resources is the core of the work being undertaken at Shepherd Ranch. We were there to catch and eat a bunch of these fish, helping them ultimately remove the phosphorus and nitrogen that causes excessive weed growth and poor water quality. Bruce and I dreamed big about someday soon, this concept of abundant, mass fish harvest to clean our Nation’s waters and beyond.

The data shows that over 50% of our Nation’s waterways are considered eutrophic and in trouble, meaning highly excessive weed growth and nutrient concentrations. Dark, stained and sometimes smelly water are all results of an unbalanced system. More information about our Nation’s waters are available on the National Fish Habitat Action Plan website, a wealth of details everyone is affected by.

When we began producing artificial fish habitat products made from reclaimed PVC siding called Fishiding, the ability to grow algae immediately on the inert surface area, appealed to the fisherman. Like myself, the average fisherman understands that habitat with good algae growth seems to hold more fish. It wasn’t until reading more and talking to Bruce that I began to understand the big picture of why this holds true.

These nutrients stick to surfaces underwater and create the beginning of the food chain called periphyton. Many forms of this wonderful natural, filter and food factory are present. Algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, zoo plankton and other invertebrates, function as a community highly efficient in capturing and processing nutrients. When I say processing, this means turning it into food of the highest quality found on earth. The more fish graze on it, it grows faster, decreasing bio mass and the fish grow at alarming rates, making the water clearer.

Numerous types of periphtyon are present, some require light to thrive and some do best in the dark. The more surface area available, the more periphyton can grow and work its magic. Pretend the floating island is a supermarket, the more shelves available the more food can be stocked for consumption. Small fish and fry eat this “super food” until about age one, when they begin to forage on larger minnows and bugs. Periphyton is the “mother’s milk” needed to start life full of nourishment.

This process has been perfected in second and third world countries. We are lacking in knowledge here in the states, but it’s improving with over 4400 of these floating treatment wetlands installed here and worldwide.

Think about all the ponds and lakes in your area. Golfcoarse ponds, retention ponds, private and public, there are many. Some are clear and deep with a balanced mesotrophic or oligotrophic eco system. The other 50% eutrophic waters, could be teaming with fish and every citizen is asked to help keep them clean…..by catching as many fish as you can eat, and removing them! The fish also reproduce faster than normal, so there is no worry of running out. Fish Fry Lake is living, thriving proof of this for all to see. Renee’ and I caught over 500 fish in less than eight hours of fishing. If your hook was in the water, it was being attacked by one or more gorgeous perch or crappie. From 6-8” one year olds, to 12-14” plus jumbos! Remember, this is in Montana not Lake Michigan, the only other place I have ever seen perch of this size. Perch and Crappie were abundant to say the least, with a perch containing about one percent live weight of phosphorus. The name “Fish Fry Lake” more than lives up to its name. Remember, this works with no chemicals, win,win,win…….

This natural cause and effect has other uses too. Bioswales also made by FII,  are used in ditches and swales to slow down erosion as water runs through it, similar to adding hay bales in a ditch after new construction. The difference in using the inert matrix, patented by FII, is that as the bioswales slow down the water, the periphyton forms and begins to consume the over abundant nutrients, cleaning the water as it passes through slowly. Unlike the hay bales, the matrix never breaks down, which would add to the nutrient load in the waterway. Same with weeds, as they decompose, they remove oxygen from the water and add fertile organic matter that acts like fertilizer. Inert substrates like the matrix material used in the Floating islands, never breakdown and keep working year round to feed the fish and clean the water.

One of the optimal ways that FTWs can transition nutrients from water to beneficial use is to grow bacterial biofilm rather than floating algae.  Bacterial biofilms grow faster than algae when their limiting parameters are satisfied, and when they have adequate circulation and surface area for growth.  With appropriate stewardship, they also are an improved primary food source for fish (Azim 2005).

Circulation increases bacterial efficiency by bringing nutrients such as dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus to the biofilm.

A single 1000-square-foot BioHaven Floating Island can provide over 18 acres of strategic “concentrated wetland effect” surface area.

As demonstrated in field-scale case studies, waterways containing FTWs remove contaminants (pollutants) such as ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Biochemical/Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD/COD) and total suspended solids (TSS).  These studies have included municipal wastewater, storm water, lakes and agricultural runoff.  FTWs have demonstrated the ability to simultaneously remove all of these contaminants, due to their complex biofilms containing both aerobic and anoxic bacteria.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are higher when inert substrate are used rather than organic substrates like wood, due to oxygen consumption during organic carbon uptake by biofilms.  Inert substrates like BioHaven polymer matrix, can provide a more precise ability to initiate movement of a waterway’s nutrient load up the food chain. Periphyton moves nutrients up the food chain better than does synthetic fish food.

The bottom line is this. To ultimately remove these unwanted nutrients, fish have to be harvested. Not all lakes have these issues, but in Eutrophic lakes, the fish contain these nutrients and have to be caught and eaten to keep up with the periphyton growth. A perch for example, contains about 1% live weight of phosphorus. By removing enough fish to equal one pound of this chemical which is safe for humans and needed for strong bones, about 700 pounds of aquatic vegetation never gets a chance to grow. No chemicals or weed harvesting just fishing and keeping them for the table. Would you be willing to help clean your neighborhood pond by catching and eating some fresh fish? It’s a reality and is being performed at an alarming rate at Fish Fry Lake. We flew home with only one checked bag, 50 pounds of fresh fillets.

Clean water  entering the Yellowstone River and ultimately the Mississippi, Stewardship is the lesson to be learned.

At Fishiding.com we specialize in turning reclaimed PVC into long term products for fish habitat, nutrient removal and producing fish food. The amazing factor in this process is as Green as it gets, with no additional manufacturing or carbon footprint associated with our processes.

Our material comes to us through a network of suppliers, environmentally aware of the desire to keep this material out of landfills and put to good use. In this growing world, we as stewards of nature, must continue to find practical ways to re-use these post consumer products. Protection for aquatic life and growing it’s food, simultaneously, year round. Read below to see how it works, by the leaders in this technology to see if you need:  Floating Islands International,Inc. to give you a hand with your water quality questions and needs.

Trading Nutrients for Fish by Bruce Kania (courtesy of Pond Boss magazine www.pondboss.com)

Fish productivity is enhanced by surface area.  When biofilms accumulate on substrate, excess nutrients in the water are used up as the biofilm grows.  This in turn feeds the food chain, and leads to bigger and more numerous fish.  Catching these fish represents a great way to remove phosphorus permanently from water.  Please scroll to page 10 to view the article.  Pond Boss magazine is dedicated to managing private waters for fish productivity

Fishiding.com offers products for many different applications in a vast array of sizes. Pieces ranging from 1/4″ wide up to full panels reaching 10″-12″ in width and as long as 12 feet. Many different shapes and textures of substrates for fish habitat as well as unlimited varieties of installation options for hatchery and aquaculture use. It all comes down to providing the correct amount and enough of surface area to handle the load of each individual waterway or volume of bio film needed. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

By utilizing post consumer materials, the cost of these unique substrates runs far less than other manufactured products available. When sold in bulk shipments loose, these strands or limbs of textured PVC can cost pennies per square foot of surface area. Strands with or without holes are available to hang or tie groups of substrate sizes together.  Self contained and weighted, optional units come ready to bend to shape and toss in water, running slightly higher in price. Available pieces from stiff and rigid “sticks” to soft flexible strands in many colors, lengths and varieties.

Contact David to discuss your needs and receive a custom quote for your project. Shipped worldwide this new understanding of feeding your fish, creating habitat and purifying the water,  is gaining much deserved attention.

Stewardship starts with you, for future generations.

David@fishiding.com  815-693-0894

Magnet Cove High School learn about aquaculture by raising tilapia

MALVERN, Ark (KTHV) — Students at Magnet Cove High School are raising tilapia in the classroom. It’s all part of a 6 week project for their aquaculture class.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

Magnet Cove teacher Kristyn Sheets saw an opportunity when she came to Magnet Cove two years ago. The school already had a tank system in place for the fish, they just needed a teacher and students willing to get their hands wet.

Sheets says it took off from there. She says, “This is just application of knowledge instead of worksheets and textbooks. When we have all of these toys and all of these hands-on things this is where our classrooms should be.”

Learning by doing; something science has always encouraged students to do and the aquaculture Corey Stanley is liking the innovative style of teaching. “At the start of the year we took notes and stuff about different types of fish. Now, were getting really hands-on. That’s my favorite part about it. I love to study a fish, but hands on is really fun,” says Stanley.

Sheets says, they’re learning a lot in the process. She adds, “This year we’ve set up a project where the students are completely in charge of managing the water quality, they weighed fish on Thursday, they have to monitor all of the feed, so they can figure out feed conversion ratios and percent gain and they’re doing all of that because they have the tools to do that.”

The two large fish tanks are housed within the schools greenhouse and algae is grown as a second crop inside the tanks. Student Dustyn Parker says water quality is the main priority. “I have learned how to do testing for dissolved oxygen, PH levels. I’ve learned that fish don’t eat all the time and they have certain times that they eat. Some days they won’t eat due to the weather and how the weather effects them,” says Parker.

Sheets, says she’s proud of her students and what they’ve accomplished so far. She says, “They might mess up some things and it’s going to be ok, they’re going to learn from it. They’re not going to get a lot of worksheets, they’re not going to get a lot of traditional class work type of grades. They’re going to get grades on if their fish live or die.

Written by

Meredith Mitchell