55. What is "fish farming" and where is it practiced? 



For the most part, man's role is still that of a hunter rather than a 

 farmer of the sea. In the future, however, it is probable that food 

 shortages will require regulation of the life cycles of marine animals and 

 plants in much the same way as on land. This might include altering the 

 bottom environment, hatching of fish eggs, fencing breeding areas, 

 fertilizing plants, and use of drugs to control diseases. 



Japan has developed fish farming and aquaculture to a higher degree 

 than any other country. Fish-farming centers have been established in 

 the Inland Sea to offset the decrease in catch of high quality ftsh in 

 coastal waters. Eggs are hatched and fries released into the waters of 

 the Inland Sea. 



By growing oysters on ropes hanging from rafts, the Japanese have 

 increased the yield per acre to 50 times that of conventional methods. 

 Oyster culture is also highly developed in the Mediterranean Sea where 

 oysters are harvested from sticks thrust into the shoal bottom. 



Off the coast of California old streetcars and automobiles have been 

 dumped into the ocean to form artificial reefs to attract fish. 



Possible methods of fencing sea areas include the use of nets, elec- 

 trical impulses, and ultrasonics. 



Fertilizers have been used experimentally in enclosed areas of the sea, 

 but they have stimulated growth of weeds and unwanted species as well 

 as of desirable fish. 



Clarke, Arthur C. 



The Challenge of the Sea, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1960. 

 Deacon, G. E. R. (Ed.) 



Seas, Maps, and Men, Doubleday and Company, 1962. 

 Hull, Seabrook 



The Bountiful Sea, Prentice-Hall, 1964. 



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