aquaculture

American  

[ak-wuh-kuhl-cher, ah-kwuh-] / ˈæk wəˌkʌl tʃər, ˈɑ kwə- /

noun

1. the cultivation of aquatic animals and plants, especially fish, shellfish, and seaweed, in natural or controlled marine or freshwater environments; underwater agriculture.

---

aquaculture British  

/ ˈækwəˌkʌltʃə /

noun

1. the cultivation of freshwater and marine resources, both plant and animal, for human consumption or use

---

aquaculture Scientific  

/ ăk′wə-kŭl′chər,ä′kwə- /

1. The science of cultivating marine or freshwater food fish, such as salmon and trout, or shellfish, such as oysters and clams, under controlled conditions.

2. See hydroponics

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• aquaculturist
  noun
• aquacultural
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of aquaculture

First recorded in 1865–70; aqua- + (agri)culture

Explanation

The practice of raising fish or water plants for food is known as aquaculture. A shrimp farmer works in the aquaculture industry. The word aquaculture combines the Latin aqua-, "water," with culture, also from a Latin root, meaning "agriculture" or "a cultivating." Originally, this term referred only to fish farming. Today, you can also practice aquaculture by growing seaweed and algae, or raising shellfish like oysters and scallops. Today, aquaculture provides about half of all the fish and shellfish eaten by humans.