Aquaculture

Aquaculture, controlled raising of marine animals and seaweed for harvest. Aquaculture takes place in enclosures built on land or in natural bodies of water. China has practiced aquaculture for 4,000 years and is still the leading world producer of cultivated freshwater fish. Production in the United States is growing rapidly. In addition to fish, Asian sea farmers cultivate seaweed, from which are produced agar, algin, and carrageenan, used in food thickeners and in drugs.