Reasons why fish farming is profitable in USA are many and that is so because America is one of the largest consumers of the market. The first fish hatchery in America was in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1887 and it has over the years multiplied it fish-selling base into hundreds in each state if not thousands.
Fish farming (otherwise known as pisciculture) involves commercial breeding of fish, usually for food, in fish tanks or artificial enclosures such as fish ponds. It is a particular type of aquaculture, which is the controlled cultivation and harvesting of aquatic animals such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and so on, in natural or pseudo-natural environment.
Fish is a very proteinous food which is classified as essential to the growth and development of the human body. Thus, the consumption of any types of fish is necessary and important to every household in the USA. Following this therefore, the country begins to increase the number of its fish farmers through their huge demand for fish and the many realizations that venturing into the fish business is capable of maximizing profits and expanding financial coasts.
On the contrary, fish farming does not come without its cons even though this article is basically preoccupied with the pros of the business. Some of the challenges and risks that may be attached to the profitability of the fish farming are:
- Fish are very sensitive to management, and minor mistakes can lead to degradation or even death of the fish, which can result in a huge loss of income.
- Establishing fish farms is capital-intensive; Far more than poultry and Turkey farming. Fish farms require more careful planning and a lot of money. A relatively small fish farm (cage) may require 1 square meter to build, while a larger farm (pond) requires 8.5 square meters.
- Because of production costs, fish from farms cost more than fish from rivers and ponds. So, if there are a lot of farming fish in the market, you may find it hard to sell, because people prefer cheaper fish.
- Unlike poultry, there are no by-products, and even dung can be harvested and sold to other farmers for extra profit. In fishery, what you get is flesh.
Reasons Why Fish Farming is Profitable in USA.
The profitability of fish business cannot be undermined in the farming business of America. This means to say that reasons why fish farming is profitable in USA are undeniable parts of the American agricultural and business reality. Some of these reasons shall therefore be highlighted below for you to digest:
1. Fish is a Popular Food
One of the reasons why fish farming is profitable in USA is because fish is a highly respected food all across the world. And as a respected kind of food, it is widely accepted and easily chosen in the market.
2. Fish is Nutritious
It’s worth noting that fish is the primary protein source for over 1 billion people all over the world. Protein is the strongest nutritional value for the development and growth of the human body. This is one of the reasons why fish farming is profitable in USA.
3. Fish has a Ready-Made Market
Given all the facts that fish is popularly consumed daily by a wide number of people, highly nutritious, and considered one of the best food essential for human survival, anyone who wishes to go dive into the pool of fish farming business should understand that it already has a ready-made market.
4. Fish has Different Species
Fish is the most diverse group among the vertebrates, with over 33,000 different types of fish species. This provides people with choices of tastes and preferences; thus, it makes fish one of the most sought-after. For such fact, it is one of the reasons why fish farming is profitable in USA.
5. Fish is Used in Pharmaceutical Industry to Make Drugs
Fish farming is also very profitable in the United States of America because across the world, America is one of the largest producers of drugs after India, and as so, fish becomes useful as it is an essential ingredients in the production of some drugs. Big pharmaceutical industries buy a very large amount of fish from fish farmers who have so far grown into large scale business.
Types of Fish Farming
- Fish Hatchery
Hatchery is a kind of artificial fish breeding place, which carries out reproduction, hatching and growth in various stages of the life cycle of fish. Choosing the right fish is very important. Some common fish in hatcheries are shrimp, Tilapia, Salmon, Scallops, Carp fish, etc.
- Tilapia Fish Farming
Tilapia farming is very profitable. Some of the main reasons tilapia is profitable include its high protein content, rapid growth and large size compared to other fish.
- Cat Fish farming
This is one of the most common fish farming operations. The cat-fish business is so profitable that farmers can easily combine it with other fish. In any case, startup costs are reasonable, depending on your location. You can easily start small.
- Carp Fish Farming
This is another fish farming business where you can delve into and capture the market. Carp are known as omnivorous fish, although they tend to eat animal foods as mollusks, as well as worms and insect larvae. You may not necessarily spend too much on feed when you are in the carp farming business.
- Shrimp Farming
Shrimp farming is another fish farming business that is considered profitable. The demand for shrimp is so high that you can start small or large.
- Crab Farming
Crab farming is another lucrative business. When running a crab farming business, you can reduce land and labor costs, and you can produce commercial quantities in a small area. Crabs grow very quickly and are highly accepted and desired in the market. Pricing is also great.
- Prawn Farming
Prawn farming is another fish farming business, where there is a lot of profit, probably due to the high demand for prawn.
- Ornamental Fish Farming
Ornamental fish are loosely called ornamental fish. They are beautiful, gorgeous and colorful. The demand for ornamental fish has increased greatly and there is a good market for them.
- Salmon Fish Farming
Salmon is a fish that is considered a carnivore. You can also drill down into salmon farming and start producing commercial quantities.
- Indoor Fish Farming
You can start an indoor fish business from your backyard, in a tank, for very little money.
I have a huge interest in fish farming.