There are very different business models with vastly different levels of preparation between a large-scale commercial-scale aquaculture venture and a small-scale “hobbyist” venture. Both necessitate sound business planning, but the former requires extensive feasibility and business planning, while the latter can be more of an exploratory “try-by-doing” activity. Success in both require some level of record keeping to know “what works” and what does not, and what are the true financial and time-investment realities of the project. Small-scale aquaculture includes small-scale shrimp or tilapia production for pond-side sales, bass and bluegill production for pond stocking, ornamental fish for hobbyists and fee-fishing enterprises. The opportunities usually range from personal recreational use that includes a few friends to “help subsidize” the activity to small-scale local sales. The endeavors frequently involve the landowner in utilizing an existing or newly constructed small pond or tank system as a small-profit-center activity, not large-scale commercial fish production.
Journals related to Home Aquaculture
Aquaculture, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal of International Food & Agribusiness Marketing, Hydrobiologia, Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
