Click on a glossary term in order to show or hide its details, or Show | Hide all terms.

A

Insertion of Oxygen into the culture media.

Usually done by floating electrically operated paddle wheels, or non-mechanical means, such as a waterfall.

A machine used for aeration of aquaculture ponds and tanks.

(See: Integrated Fish Farming and Irrigation).

The husbandry of aquatic organisms, such as: fish or shrimp.

Aquatic production system based on re-using the water, by circulation through water treatment installations (More >>).

The Engineering field specializing in aquaculture production facilities and its auxiliary systems (More >>).

Specially designed equipment used for aquaculture (for example: aerators, fish-elevators, transfer-tanks, size-sorting machines, feeding machines, etc.)

The controlled production of shrimp in constructed facilities.

The controlled production of tilapia in constructed facilities.

The plan that details the procedures, specifications and inputs used for raising cultured aquatic organisms from ‘seed’ (egg) to market size.

An Israeli based company offering aquaculture technology for large-scale, low-cost production of premium quality fresh fish. This website is the official site of APT.

An aquaculture production system based on re-use of culture water, by its continuous circulation between production facilities and treatment installations (More >>).

Organisms that inhabit, and complete their life cycle, in aquatic media.

The means, facilities, utilities and equipment that enable commercial production of aquatic organisms, throughout their life cycles and in captivity.

B

A Business Plan prepared in a format acceptable by financing institutions.

The conceptual and detailed design-engineering of all physical installations and aquaculture systems (More >>).

Water with salt concentrations ranging between 5-15 ppt salinity and suitable for aquaculture production for certain species.

The parental breeding flock, both males and females, which are used to produce the ‘seed’ of the cultured organism (fish-fry, shrimp post-larvae, etc) for stocking the aquaculture facility (More >>).

A detailed description of a proposed aquaculture venture, including a production plan, technical description, investment plan, financial projections, economic analysis, and all other aspects related to the venture, and required in order to take a business decision (More >>).

C

Funds required to construct a fish farming project and purchase equipment needed to implement it.

Mass production of fish in aquaculture systems, and marketing of same in domestic or foreign markets for the purpose of generating profit.

The aquaculture ponds facilities, used for commercial production of fish, for the purpose of generating profit.

Mass production of tilapia in an aquaculture system, and selling tilapia in domestic or export markets for the purpose of generating profit.

A type of aquaculture pond used for intensive and super-intensive production of fish, shrimp and other aquatic organisms.

The set of detailed engineering and construction instructions, which determine the layout and function of a concrete lined pond.

D

Decrease of Marine fisheries stocks below biologically sustainable levels, due to over-fishing and pollution (More >>).

E

An indicator of a company’s economic performance.

Aquaculture systems designed and constructed to operate as sustainable entities, not affecting the ecological balance of their environment.

The ecological and nutritional position of specific fish and shrimp species within food-chain of their biotope.

Fish species that are considered suitable and acceptable for consumption by humans.

Aquaculture system that is designed and operated on a sustainable basis, minimizing long-term environmental impact.

F

For more information visit the official site: Food and Agriculture Organization

The technical and financial analysis of a proposed aquaculture venture to determine if it is economically viable (More >>).

An aquatic vertebrate, cold-blooded animal with fins and internal gills, and having no limbs.

The controlled production of fish in constructed facilities in captivity.

The physical location of the constructed facilities, in which fish are produced in captivity.

The process of construction the production facilities, installations, infrastructure, water system and other support systems of the fish farm, according to detailed engineering plan. Usually, includes mainly earthworks, civil works and electrical works.

The basic and detailed design engineering of the fish aquaculture system, the production ponds, and water supply and drain systems and other support systems.

Various equipment and machines used for the purpose of harvesting fish and other crop organisms, and including nets, fish elevators, size sorting machines, transfer tanks, etc.

The controlled production of fish in constructed facilities in captivity.

Various equipment and machines used in the process of aquaculture production of fish, shrimp and other crops, from seed to market-size (More >>).

All the information and data related to the aquaculture production system, the production plan, the inputs and the production performance of the fish farm.

The controlled production of fish in constructed facilities in captivity.

Money paid to purchase and construct long-term tangible property and means of production of the fish farm, including the land, production ponds, water supply and drain systems, processing plant, equipment, etc.

The first production stage in fish farming, nursing fry (about 1.0 gram) to fingerling (60-100 gram).

Various equipment and machines used in the fish Processing Plant, for the purpose of preparing fish portions prior to marketing. Processing equipment include machines for cleaning, sorting, scaling, eviscerating, filleting, trimming, cooling or freezing and packing fish and fish portions, prior to marketing (More >>).

The building structure that houses the processing equipment and auxiliary systems, used in the fish Processing Plant, for the purpose of preparing fish portions prior to marketing. Processing equipment include machines for cleaning, sorting, scaling, eviscerating, filleting, trimming, cooling or freezing and packing fish and fish portions, prior to marketing (More >>).

The engineering layout of all the processing installations, structures, equipment within the Processing Plant.

The fillets portions of tilapia fish, skin-on or skinless, in fresh non-frozen form (see: Tilapia fillet).

The controlled production of fish in constructed facilities in captivity, using freshwater as culture media (e.g: Tilapia farming).

The fillets portions of tilapia fish, skin-on or skinless, in fresh frozen form (see: Tilapia fillet).

(ND-56 Fry) Fish larvae upon hatching from eggs.

G

Added biomass per unit time, measured as gram per day. The value varies as a function of fish species, fish size, culture conditions and feed.

A breeding program implemented to genetically modify the growth potential.

The inherent difference in growth rate between females and males of the same fish species and same age.

H

A quality control method, required in all seafood processing plant exporting to USA and EU. For more information visit the official site: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point

The aquaculture production stage in which crop organism hatches from eggs and grows to stocking size.

Biologically active molecules functioning in all higher organisms, and regulating life processes.

Seafood that was produced without external application of hormones.

I

An aquaculture production strategy, in which water culture is used twice, first for fish and shrimp production, and than for irrigation (More >>).

Aquaculture production strategies, differing in stocking densities and yield potential, according to the Production Capacities of the production systems.

Indicator showing the internal rate of return for a series of cash flows.

Various means, structures and equipment used in agricultural production systems to bring water to each plant crop in irrigated fields. This includes the water source, the flowing of water from source to the irrigated field, and the delivery system of the water to each plant.

J

K

L

M

Normally, the progeny of tilapia comprises 50% males, 50% females. Usually, males grow to larger size. Females are not advantageous in aquaculture production. All-male progeny can be obtained by hormonal treatment of fry (e.g.: ND-56) or by classical genetic selection methods (e.g.: ND-41).

Tilapia marketing forms include mainly whole fish and skinless & boneless fillets, fresh or frozen (More >>).

The maximum yield which can be derived by long term fishing, hunting or gathering practices, without causing depletion of natural stocks.

N

A USA Government Agency, responsible for various aspects of USA Fisheries and Seafood. For more information visit the official site: National Marine Fisheries Service

Indicator showing the return of the net present value of an investment based on a discount rate and a series of future payments and income.

O

Decrease of Marine stocks below biologically sustainable levels due to over fishing and pollution (More >>).

The rate of net production of various fisheries products in the ocean as a result of propagation and growth of marine stocks.

Conditions in the aquaculture system, enabling optimal growth of tilapia. This includes water temperature (27-30 C), Oxygen (> 4.0 ppm), Ammonia (<0.5 ppm), pH (7.0-8.0), suitable feed.

Fish produced using organic concepts and natural procedures, minimizing input of artificial man-made compounds.

Aquaculture production procedures which maximize natural processes and avoiding artificial, made inputs.

Tilapia produced using organic concepts and natural procedures, minimizing input of artificial man-made compounds.

Tilapia fish produced using systems, procedures and inputs complying with official standards and regulations (e.g.: USDA Seal) and certified by appropriate agencies.

P

Fish elevator used for harvesting live fish from pond harvesting pit, to Fish Sorting Machine of Fish Transfer Tanks.

A food production system, which grows several species simultaneously in the same space. In aquaculture, growing multiple aquatic organisms in the same water body.

Production of tilapia and shrimp in the same pond, simultaneously (More >>).

The conceptual and engineering design of an aquaculture pond, according to the requirements of the crop organism and site conditions, with the aim of achieving cost effective production and maximum profit.

The conceptual and engineering design of a fish farm, according to the requirements of the crop organism and site conditions, with the aim of achieving cost effective intensive production and maximum profit.

The outlet structures from an aquaculture pond or tank, including monk regulator, drain pipe and drain canal, allowing discharge or re-circulation, as required.

The biological interactions occurring between different organism populations developing within the aquaculture ponds, either intentional stocked populations and inadvertently inoculated. In open aquaculture systems, this usually includes water organisms: algae primary producers, secondary producers (zooplankton) and bottom populations which include bacterial populations and higher organisms.

The stocking of aquaculture water body with a known population of the crop organism.

The detailed description of all production procedures, specifications, data and Manual of Operation, required to enable successful operation of the aquaculture system.

The building structure that houses the processing equipment and auxiliary systems, used in the fish Processing Plant, for the purpose of preparing fish portions prior to marketing. Processing equipment include machines for cleaning, sorting, scaling, eviscerating, filleting, trimming, cooling or freezing and packing fish and fish portions, prior to marketing (More >>).

Q

R

An aquaculture system in which the culture media is continuously re-used, by its recirculation through biological and mechanical filters, which remove the organic matter and nitrogenous wastes (More >>).

The ND 56 Tilapia strain has a uniform Red color skin, without any spots and without white pale skin. The abdominal peritoneum (the belly membrane) is pink, rather than black, as in other Tilapias. This fish is similar to Red Snapper (known as ‘Huachinango’ Tilapia in Mexico).

Indicator showing the economic rate of return of a capital investment.

S

Commercial tilapia species are normally freshwater fishes. However, several species show tolerance to various levels of salinity. This is the basis for attempts to raise tilapia commercially in brackish and seawater. Most common is the use of brackish water up to 15-20 ppt.

Farms that concentrate on partial production mainly the grow-out phase, from nursed fingerling to market-size. Satellite Farms are associated with a Central Farm, which produces the seed-fry and/or post larvae and the processing, packaging and marketing (More >>).

Reversing the sex of males or females in fish can be accomplished by hormone application at the larval stages, from day 2-to 20 after hatching. In some fish species, sex transformation from males to females and vice versa occurs naturally. The purpose of sex reversal in tilapia culture is to enable production of all-male populations, considering that females are less economical to raise, due to their early age fecundity and lower body weight.

Shrimp and tilapia can co-exist in the same commercial aquaculture pond, each occupying a different ecological niche, resulting in improved commercial yields (see: Polyculture tilapia and shrimp)

The controlled production of shrimp in constructed facilities.

The controlled production of shrimp in constructed facilities.

Production of tilapia includes the following production steps. In brackets, the approximate weight of the fish). Spawning (egg to 0.3 g); primary nursery (0.3-1.0 g), nursery (1.0 to ~ 80 g), Grow-out I (80 - ~350 g), Grow-out II (350 – 900 g); Processing.

Adding the fish population into the pond or tank, to initiate the production cycle.

T

Optimal growth, development and propagation of tilapia is in the range of 25-30 °C, gradually decreasing between 22-25 °C. Spawning activity ceases at about 22 °C. Feeding ceases at about 18 °C and mortality occurs at around 12 °C. The most cold-tolerant commercial Tilapia strain is ND-41.

A group of freshwater fish species belonging to the family Cichlidae, native of Africa and the Middle East, including three genera: Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia. The most commonly used commercial strains are Oreochromis niloticus and Oreochromis aureaus.

Applying genetic selection procedures to bring about improved economic traits of the crop organism.

The parental breeding flock, both males and females with specific traits which are used to produce high performance hybrid fry of Tilapia with advantageous economic traits for stocking the aquaculture facility (More >>).

The controlled production of tilapia in constructed facilities.

Tilapia is an omnivore. In advanced commercial aquaculture systems tilapia feeds on regular or extruded pellets 22-25% protein. The main commodity feed ingredients include: Soy, Corn, Wheat middling, Cottonseed mill, fishmeal, meat meal and others.

(Packed Tilapia fillets) The fillets portions of tilapia fish, skin-on or skinless, in fresh non-frozen form.

The process of cutting the fillets off the frame of the whole Tilapia fish. Cutting can be done manually using knives or automatically by filleting machines. Fillets can then be skinned, de-boned and trimmed.

A specially designed aquaculture farm for the commercial production of Tilapia.

Young Tilapia larvae after hatching from their eggs.

The products of mating males and females tilapia from different ecotypes or families to obtain hybrids with improved economic traits.

The controlled production of high stocking density of tilapia in constructed facilities in order to achieve high production capacity.

Normal population includes 50% Males and 50% Females. Mating occurs at age of 3-5 months. Female spawns eggs from which larvae hatch. Under captive conditions larvae grow to market size fish of about 1 Kg in one year.

Tilapia is consumed worldwide in different forms, either whole or as fillets. Whole fish, fresh or frozen is sold primarily in domestic markets, while fillets, fresh or frozen, are exported to developed markets (US and EU). (More >>)

Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus originates from sub-Saharan Africa used worldwide in commercial aquaculture systems characterized by rapid growth rates, relatively aggressive behavior, high fecundity and sensitivity to low temperatures.

Advanced procedures and facilities required to complete the life-cycle of Tilapia in high-yield aquaculture system, operating as an economically viable farm.

The process of laying fertilized eggs by female Tilapia and their subsequent hatching. This process occurs in specially designed Spawning ponds.

Tilapia types with special economic traits, selected using conventional genetic improvement programs, and used to obtain hybrid fry Tilapia for stocking in aquaculture systems (More >>).

U

For more information visit the official site: United States Department of Agriculture

V

W

Funds required to fulfill the gap between creditors and debitors of an operation.

A virus found in wild and farmed crustaceans, such as: shrimp. The disease resulting from WSSV is lethal to shrimp and highly virulent. Transmission of the virus often occurs through ingestion of diseased tissue or cohabitation with virus carriers. The virus is killed by cooking and does not pose danger to humans.

Total output of worldwide aquaculture facilities on an annual basis. Annual figures on world aquaculture production are published by the FAO.

X

Y

Z