business plan in fish farming

How to write a business plan for a fish farm?

Do you have a business idea for a fish farm, or are you an existing fish farm looking to grow and expand? Writing a business plan is essential in ensuring your venture is viable and grows into a healthy business.

This guide provides an in-depth look at how to write the perfect business plan for your fish farm, from why it's important and what information it should contain to exploring the tools that can help you create one.

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a fish farm?

What information is needed to create a business plan for a fish farm.

• How do I build a financial forecast for a fish farm?
• The written part of a fish farm business plan
• What tool should I use to write my fish farm business plan?

There are several reasons to write a fish farm business plan. Below, we cover some of the most important ones.

To draw up a roadmap

Writing a business plan for a fish farm is an essential step for entrepreneurs looking to launch their venture or grow an existing one, as it helps them set objectives and goals for the next 3 to 5 years. 

A well-crafted business plan allows fish farm owners like you to identify potential areas of growth or improvement while also helping them stay focused on their long-term vision. 

Moreover, having clear objectives can help guide decision-making when it comes to investing capital into new projects or technologies that could be beneficial in the future. 

Ultimately, writing a business plan can make all the difference between success and failure in this highly competitive industry.

To maintain visibility on future cash flows

A comprehensive fish farm business plan provides a valuable reference point to monitor the business' progress against goals and objectives. 

It enables you to regularly compare your fish farm's financial performance with what was planned and to adjust your forecast accordingly to maintain visibility on your future cash flows. 

This helps you stay on track towards achieving your long-term goals while allowing you to quickly identify areas where you may need additional resources or expertise. 

For example, you can consider adding more concrete tanks or farm personnel to increase the output.

To secure financing

Writing a fish farm business plan is a vital step for any startup or an existing business looking to secure financing. 

Banks will use your business plan to assess whether your farm has the capacity and resources to repay the money they are lending to your business. 

A well-crafted, organized, and thorough business plan can also help you get financing from equity investors.

Investors will want to see that an investment in your fish farm will provide them with strong returns on their capital. Thus will meticulously assess the business plan to make sure their money will be utilised effectively on your fish farm. 

Your business plan should include projections for healthy growth, profitability and cash generation; all of which are key indicators of how successful your fish farming endeavour could be. 

Now that we know why it's important to write a business plan for a fish farm, let's take a look at what information is needed to create one.

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Before you can start writing your fish farm business plan, you need to have the appropriate information to ensure your financial forecast uses credible assumptions, and so that you present the business opportunity using facts. 

In this section, we cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your plan.

Carrying out market research for a fish farm

Carrying out market research before writing a business plan for a fish farm is key to ensuring that the forecasted revenues are accurate.

Before you can forecast revenues, you need to form a view regarding the supply and demand for the fish species your farm will be breeding. 

It's only once you have this information that you will be able to plan with confidence how much of each species to produce, at what price they will sell, and who will buy them.

Market research will help you identify potential customer needs and preferences, as well as any existing competitors in the market. 

Plus, it also provides valuable insight into current trends, pricing strategies and industry regulations that may affect the success of your fish farm business. 

For instance, you can survey potential customers in your intended location if they can pay a premium for sustainably farmed fish.

Gathering this information will also allow you to clearly and factually explain the business opportunity for your fish farm in the market analysis section of your business plan which we will detail later in this guide.

Developing the sales & marketing plan for a fish farm

To create an accurate financial forecast for your fish farm business plan you need a well-defined budget for sales and marketing expenditures. Therefore, you need to have a clear go-to-market strategy in place before you can start drafting the plan.

The first step in creating an effective marketing plan is to identify and define your target market. 

For instance, your fish farm can increase revenue streams, such as bulk fish sales to shops or restaurants and retail fish sales to customers. Additionally, you can also offer water management, pond equipment, and maintenance services. 

Allowing consumers to rent a spot to fish for the day can also be another source of revenues for your fish farm.

Additionally, it’s important to research competitors in the industry and look for areas of opportunity where you can differentiate yourself and stand out. 

The staffing and equipment needs of a fish farm

Thinking about the sizable human resources, facilities and equipment needed for your fish farm is a key requirement before writing a business plan. 

You will need to establish how much resources are allocated to staff salaries, the recruitment plans (hiring process), and any other operational expenses.

Additionally, you need to assess what investments the farm itself requires (hatchery building, concrete tanks, POS) and the cost required for each.

Once you have gathered all the information needed to create the business plan for your fish farm, you can start creating the financial forecast which we will discuss below. 

What goes in the financial forecast for a fish farm?

The financial forecast for a fish farm includes four key components: 

• The Profit and Loss (P&L) statement shows all the money earned and spent by the fish farm. 
• The balance sheet lists all of the assets, liabilities and equity of the business. 
• The cash flow statement tracks money moving in and out of business.
• Lastly, a sources & uses table explains where the funding for the project is coming from and how the funds will be used.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for a fish farm tells us about how much money the fish farm anticipates making and how much it’s expected to grow in future. It helps us know if running a fish farm is a good idea or not.

The projected balance sheet of your fish farm

The balance sheet shows the assets owned, liabilities, and net worth of your fish farm at a given point in time.

The balance sheet also allows stakeholders such as lenders, investors, or the business owner to gauge the solvency and liquidity of the farm.

The projected cash flow statement

A projected cash flow statement for a fish farm shows how much money the farm expects to make and spend. 

The cash flow statement enables you to assess if your fish farm has enough cash to meet current and future financial commitments or if it needs to raise additional capital from outside sources.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan (also called the source and uses table) shows how much financing is needed at the start of the business plan, where it will come from, and what it will be used for.

Now that we understand what the financial forecast looks like, let’s take a look at what should be included in the written presentation of your fish farm business plan.

What goes in the written part of a fish farm business plan?

The written part of a fish farm plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services section
• The market research analysis
• The strategy section
• The operations section
• The financial plan

Below, we go over each section in more detail. 

1. The executive summary

The executive summary of a fish farm business plan should provide an overview of the business, market, and key financials. 

When writing an executive summary, start by introducing the company and its mission. Give a brief overview of the market for fish farming, including current trends in your target market and industry in general. 

Explain the key financials, such as startup costs and projected profitability over the next three to five years, so that investors and banks can understand what their money is going into. 

Lastly, ensure you state how much financing you are trying to secure from banks or investors.

2. The presentation of the company

When it comes to the presentation of the company in a fish farm's business plan, three important parts must be addressed: structure and ownership, location, and management team.

The structure and ownership section should include details such as the legal form of the business entity (i.e. LLC or sole proprietorship), who the owners are, and how much each person owns and has invested. 

This section should also include a presentation of the location and farm’s facilities. When presenting on this topic, take into consideration factors such as access to transportation, local regulations and environmental concerns. 

Finally, the management team of your fish farm should also be fully described here, including the owners, farm managers, and other important individuals who will be in charge of running the farm.

List an overview of the qualifications and experience related to fish farming as this is important to the stakeholders. 

Potential investors and stakeholders should be confident that the business is being run by experienced professionals with the right expertise and resources to succeed.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section should provide detailed information about the type of fish being raised, how they will be raised, and what value-added products or services can be offered to customers. 

This section should also include any unique features that may set this particular fish farming operation apart from others in the area. 

For example, you can say you intend to use cutting-edge technology to monitor water quality or automate feeding to help boost the quality of fish.

It's crucial for banks and investors to have a clear understanding of the nature of the product or service they're considering, enabling them to make informed decisions

Therefore, business owners need to provide as much detail as possible when discussing their products and services in the business plan. 

For instance, include any specialized techniques or processes used to raise specific types of fish or produce other value-added items such as smoked salmon or canned trout.

4. The market research analysis

In this section of your fish farm business plan, it is essential to include information about demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers at entry and regulation. 

This will give potential investors or banks an idea of how successful launching this business could be and that you understand the industry you are entering or already operating in. 

Demographics and segmentation should provide details on the types of customers who would be interested in purchasing from the fish farm. 

It should also explain what segments need to be targeted such as restaurants, retailers, food manufacturers, etc. This will help you maximize profits by focusing on customers with higher spending power or larger demand for the fish.

Furthermore, it is important to understand which competitors exist in the local area as well as any national players that may have an impact on sales. 

Knowing these details can help identify areas where there are gaps in service that your fish farm can fill. 

Lastly, understanding any regulatory requirements associated with operating a fish farm can ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations while making it about existing businesses as well.

5. The strategy section

When writing the strategy section of a business plan for their fish farm, a business owner should include information about competitive edge, pricing strategy, marketing plan, milestones and risks and mitigants. 

A competitive edge is essential for any fish farm as it will help them stand out from competitors in the same industry. 

For instance, you could indicate any discounts or promotions campaigns you have. Pricing strategy should also outline how the farm will remain profitable while attracting new customers by offering competitive prices.

Furthermore, a marketing plan needs to be outlined which details how you intend to keep existing customers and how to reach your target customers through various channels such as social media or promotional events, or reaching out to grocers and local restaurants.

Additionally, milestones should also be identified that mark major achievements in the coming years so that progress can easily be monitored by potential investors/banks. 

Finally, risks and mitigants need to be discussed - this will allow investors/banks to understand what kind of risks are involved with investing in your fish farm but more importantly what measures have been taken (or can potentially take) to mitigate those risks if they occur.

6. The operations section

The operation section of a fish farm business plan should include information about the staffing team, their roles and the recruitment plan.

This includes how many staff members are needed, what their roles are, and how they will be recruited. 

It is also important to include details about operating hours, as well as any key assets and intellectual property that the business needs to operate. 

Finally, the business plan should provide details about any suppliers that the fish farm plans to work with.

By including this information in the operations section of a business plan, potential investors or lenders will be able to gain an understanding of how the fish farm intends to operate. 

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where you will present the financial forecast we mentioned earlier in this guide.

Once you have an understanding of the content that should be included in a fish farm business plan, it’s time to look at the tools available for creating one. 

What tool should I use to write my fish farm's business plan?

In this section, we will review three solutions for creating an effective business plan for a fish farm: using Word and Excel, hiring a consultant, and using online business planning software.

Create your fish farm's business plan using Word or Excel

Using Word or Excel to create a fish farm business plan has both advantages and disadvantages. 

On the plus side, using these applications is cost-effective, as they typically come pre-loaded with most computers or devices. 

However, there may be better choices than Excel for a fish farm owner as it is requires a proficient understanding of accounting and financial modelling to create accurate forecasts. 

Additionally, a financier may not be convinced that a financial forecast created with Excel by a fish farm owner is reliable. 

Lastly, using Word to write the business plan requires starting from a blank page and spending time formatting the document manually.

Hire a consultant to write your fish farm's business plan

Outsourcing the fish farm business plan to a consultant or accountant can be beneficial in some respects, as it allows for an experienced professional to craft the plan with their expertise and knowledge of the industry. 

Consultants are well-versed in writing business plans, and accountants are adept at creating financial forecasts with accuracy. 

However, there are some drawbacks to outsourcing the business plan that should be taken into consideration. 

Outsourcing your fish farm business plan will come with a hefty price tag. You should budget a minimum of $2,000 (or £1,500) to get a business plan from a consultant. Plus, if there are revisions required after the first version of the business plan (this is often not included in the price).

Lastly, not all consultants are experts in fish farm business plans, and even if that’s the case, they may not have the same level of expertise as an entrepreneur who is very familiar with their business. Accountants, in particular, may lack the industry expertise required to forecast sales accurately and challenge your assumptions.

Use an online business plan software for your fish farm's business plan

Another alternative is to use online business plan software.

There are several advantages to doing so:

• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• Already-written business plan templates can inspire you
• You can easily make your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you
• You get a professional document, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily compare your forecast against your accounting data to make sure you are on track to deliver your plan or make adjustments if needed

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try our software for free by signing up here.

We hope that this article has helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for your fish farm. Do not hesitate to contact us if you still have questions!

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• Mistakes to avoid in a business plan
• How to write your business plan's executive summary
• How to write the business plan for a poultry farm

Know someone in the fish farming industry? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

Published on 22 Mar 2023 , last update on 27 Jun 2023 , as per our editorial standards .

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Fish Farming Business Plan For Beginners

Table of contents.

• Read Mud Crab Farming.
• Read Tilapia Fish Farming.

Fish Farming Business Plan:

Introduction to Fish Farming Business Plan: 

If you are planning for a commercial fish farming business, no doubt fish farming is a more profitable venture. In a commercial fish farming business plan, first need to study about the process of farming fish for a good profits.

Market analysis and business plan are the must to initiate a fish farming business. You should do an intensive market research before getting into it. Then analyze the local market trends and demand for type of fishes. If you are planning for commercial fish farming business for exporting, then talk to fish processing units prior. Choosing exact fish species for your business to get success in fish farming business. Choose fish species for farming depends on the climatic conditions, market demand, maintenance point of view, and as per the availability of resources etc.

To get complete knowledge about fish farming business, you can get training from Government running farms that conduct training. Or working at a successful fish farm give you a good knowledge of farm management, water quality management, disease control, feeding, marketing and processing skills.

For a profitable farming, you should get the complete information about hatching fish, eggs and then grooming them to the maturity.

There are two basic methods of farming fish based on the species of fish you have chosen. Starting a fish farm business, you need to ready to face many hurdles, fish farming indeed a profitable business venture. First, decide whether you are planning for a small scale or on a large scale commercial fish farming based on your financial status.

Fish Farming Business Plan – A Complete Guide

Industry Overview

The Aqua Industry is no doubt a leading industry in most countries of the world: commercial fish farming business plan includes farming of different species of fishes.

The Fish and Seafood, Aquaculture industry is a large, very large industry and have good market in all parts of the world, especially the countries, United States of America, India, Canada, United Kingdom, Portugal Germany, Australia, the Caribbean etc.

Most fish farmers do commercial fish farming business, some best niches of commercial fish farming are:

• Raising and harvesting finfish (e.g. Catfish, trout, tilapia and minnows)
• Raising and harvesting shellfish (e.g. Clams, oysters, crustaceans, mollusks and shrimp)
• Raising and harvesting ornamental fish (e.g. Goldfish and tropical fish)

Fish Farming Business Plan – Types of Fish Farming:

There are many varieties of fishes that can be raised for commercial fish farming business. In you fish farming business plan, type of fish farming plays a key role. Most common fishes farmed in commercial farms are salmon, carp, tilapia, catfish and cod.

• Catfish Commercial farming

Catfish most suitable and profitable species for commercial fish farming. Catfish has huge market demand for its amazing health benefits and market demand. In a commercial fish farming, catfish takes 18 months to get ready, catfish grown in fish pond is smaller than the wild catfish. There are several varieties of catfish species, most popular catfish varieties are blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish.

• Tilapia Commercial farming

Tilapia is another profitable fish species suitable for commercial fish farming after carp and salmon.  These fish have great demand for its high popularity and rich in proteins and vitamins. Tilapia fish grow to large size depending on the capabilities. Tilapia fishes are tropical varieties requires required warm water to grow. The ideal water in the fish should be temperature be between 28 to 30 degrees. These fish ponds need intensive management. Tilapia’s are more resistant to disease and parasites. Tilapia fish should be fed with cereal-based diet and these fish don’t eat other fishes, and these fish are considered as more invasive fish species.

• Salmon farming

Salmon is another popular variety for commercial fish farming.  Salmon fish comes in two other varieties are – Chinook and Coho. These fish species are not disease resistant, these should be vaccinated to prevent from diseases and they even need additional medication in extreme conditions.

• Tuna Commercial farming

Tuna fish are saltwater species that give more profits in commercial fish farming. There are different varieties of Tuna fishes, bluefin, yellowfin, and albacore. Commercial farming Tuna fish is a bit difficult as these fishes are massive and very active. Tuna fish are carnivores and these fishes eat other fishes. Farming of Tuna fishes is done in net pens offshore and in recirculation systems. Japan is the largest consumer of Tuna Fish.

• Eel Commercial farming

Eel fish farming is the profitable species for commercial fish farming. These fishes have huge demand in export markets.  Eels fishes are a carnivorous and catadromous fish, means these fishes grow in fresh water when they are young, and they migrate to sea water for breeding. Asia, China, Japan and Taiwan are leading producers of commercial eel fishes as the biggest producers. Eel farming can be grown in – high intensity recirculating tank (indoors) or intensive pond facilities.

• Shrimp Farming

Commercial shrimp farming has a great market in the Asian market. Commercial shrimp farming has a simplest culture approach. Shrimp has a great market demand is very high and you can initiate small and large-scale shrimp farming very easily with less effort.

• Ornamental Fish Farming

Ornamental fishes are colorful and attractive and generally known as aquarium fish. According to an NABARD report the ornamental fish trading industry with a turnover of US $ 6 Billion and an annual growth rate of 8 percent offers lots of scope for development.

Fish Farming Business Plan – Fish farming supplies for Commercial Fish Farming:

You require many fish farming supplies for in commercial fish farming business. A commercial farming equipment’s and systems required for commercial farming business are fish feeds and fish feeders, filtering systems, air pumps, heating and cooling systems, lighting equipment, hydroponics equipment, predator control fences, tanks and water treatment products.

Feed and feeders Feed quality plays a key role fish farming. Feeding depends on desirable color, growth and overall health and well-being of the fishes. There are a wide variety of different feeds are required for different types fish species.

Water Filtration Systems:   Water filtration systems are important, that shows the great impact on pond environment.  Filtration includes removal of waste products in the pond water.  There are several varieties of filtering systems that can be used, depends on the requirement.

Hatchery supplies : Commercial fish farming required hatchery equipment’s like fish graders, shipping supplies to spawning and handling containers.

Predator control: You should take necessary steps in controlling predators. Take the necessary steps like fences, and physical deterrents like visual and audio deterrents.

Construction of Fish Ponds for Fish Farming Business:

Fish farming business is an ancient farming method that has increased its market these days. Fishes are a great source of vitamins and proteins, through commercial fish farming that is done in fresh water can help you to grow different variety of fishes for consumption.

Building a fish farming pond is a tough task, but running a fish farming business is rewarding, fun, and can earn you good returns in the long run.

Read: Dairy Farming Courses, Fees in India .

Here we give you a complete information about a fish farming pond in a fish farming business plan:

Pond Building Preparation

First, Decide the type fish farm: Before you are planning for fish pond construction and design, first decide,

• Type of fish you are planning to farm.
• The size the fish you can grow when they are grown up.

How Many fishes you can grow in a fish pond?

The Pond size should be capable of handling the type of fish you are planning to grow. If growing too large size fish, pond size may be sufficient when they are small in size, but if they attain a large size, the space may be congested. So, make a deep study about the type of fishes and their required pond size.

Select A Suitable Location for constructing fish pond: 

The Position of the fish pond plays a key role in good and healthy growing fishes. If planning a fish farm in backyards or any other place, select an appropriate position. Consider the following steps before choosing a location for the fish pond:

• The level of the ground in the site should be a bit low and flat. If not first thing is level up the ground completed.
• The fish pond should have a good provision to collect natural rain water or runoff. This helps to keep the pond water fresh.
• Construct the barriers around the fish pond.
• If the area you are constructing a fish pond, where there are more chances to face extreme hot and extreme cold climates. In these areas the depth of the pond should between 8 ft to 12 feet, so that the fishes can get enough space to get shelter during peak summers and peak winters.

Consider these tips before to determine a good location that is suitable for your fish pond.

How to dig a site for Fish Pond:

Once the location is decided, now draw the sketches and map exact measurements and the dimensions of the pond.

Mapping can help to you to visualize the size and the design of the pond. You can also use ropes or garden hoses to draw the design of the fish pond.  Once the layout is ready, now ready to dig the fish pond.

Things to be considered before digging:

• The gas pipes, electric lines, water pipes or sewerage lines should be buried below the ground.
• The roots of the big plants may be left at the bottom the pond and there are chances to grow again and occupy the tree. If digging the ponds next to big trees, make sure that the root system of the trees should take care properly to stop them growing in the pond.

Fish Farming Business Plan – Building Your Fish Farming Pond:

Digging Your Fish Farming Pond

• Depending on the size of your fish farm, if planning to dig manually using large shovels and labor, it consumes a lot of energy and a lot of time. A bobcat or excavator that is used in digging up the pond will save a good amount of time.
• Don’t dig at the top of the hole on a slope.
• While digging, it is better to dig 16 inches at once on the outer edges and place the waste soil as a pile at the backside of the pond.
• When digging in the center, start to dig deeper this helps to create an even slope in your fish pond. This will help the excavator move easily in and out of the pond easily.
• Measure the depth constantly to get the exact depth of pond that you are planning.
• To form defined edges at last and dig around the outer edge with a shovel to level it better.

Considering these tips will help you be able to dig your fish pond more successfully without hurdles.

Fish Farming Business Plan- Lining the Fish Pond:

Once the fish pond is dug, line it up with a rubber liner or a tarp. This tarp or liner used in fish ponds should be suitable for fish ponds so that is doesn’t harm the fishes. Before laying the trap at the bottom first make a thin layer of sand across the surface area of the hole to reduce the tears.

And to protect this liner or trap you can also use some geotextile fabric that protects runner liner from getting damaged. The main reason for using a trap is it protect the water from seeping out into the surrounding lands.  If trap not used water should be supplied constantly into the pond to maintain the water level in the fish pond.  Otherwise, you need to fill the pond with to maintain the water level.

Ponds can be sealed without rubber liners or traps, these are also many other best and cheapest options other than liner or traps. But this process depends on your soil type and the clay content of the soil.  Even you can get a sell sodium bentonite clay that is used as a pond sealer.

Even there are many sustainable traditional pond liners that are worth safe for using. We also use polyethylene with ethanol-based plastics which is better than fossil-fuel based plastic liners.

If you are using a rubber liner or tarp at the bottom, it is a good idea to start to place it from the center of the pond. The size of the traps or liner depends on the size of the ponds, order a sufficient number of liner that can cover a complete pond area.

Next is filling the Pond With Water:

• Once the pond is fitted with the liner or trap, then place a big stone at the center of the pond, this protects liner or traps from lifting and floating when water level falls.
• Filling up the pond depends on the size of the pond. Water should be filled from the side, so that it will help trap to conform slowly to the weight of the water. And place stones at the outer edge liners, that helps liners or traps from falling as the amount of water increases.
• If you are not using pumping system, then fill the pond with fish. Fish need oxygenated water to live and stay healthy. Place the running hose in water to generate oxygen in water, water should be oxygenated 2 to 3 times in a week and time duration should be 15 to 30 minutes.

Fish Farming Business Plan – How to Introduce fish into the fish pond:

While introducing fish into pond, fish make water to settle completely, so that dirt gets settled completely.  Now mix fishes slowly in the fish pond water in a bucket water first for 10 to 15 minutes that will help the fish to acclimatize to the new water PH levels.

Now slowly tip the fish into the fish ponds. Minimizing the stress levels in the fish will increase the rate survival and make to adjust new environment quickly.

Don’t make mistake by adding all the fishes at once, add in small amounts and check wait for 2-3 weeks. If the maximum number of fishes is alive, then add remaining fishes.

If you see more dead fish, them check with cause, before adding remaining fishes. The pH levels in the soil can cause death of fishes, some fishes require a set PH level to survive in. If the pH level is under control, check with an expert to address the exact problem.

Fish Farming Business Plan – Fish Feed in Fish Farming Business:

Feeding is the main part in the fish farming business. Fish needs good and nutritious feed for proper growth and survival. Feed management plays a key success in fish farming business. The feed should be well balanced, nutritious feed which includes protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. The moss or aquatic insects are considered as a natural feed that in available in that pond, which not sufficient for all the fishes. These natural feeds consumed by the fish during early stages. Some fertilizers are available that produces natural feed in the ponds, but these are not recommended.   Along with natural feeds, supplementary feed ensures the fast growth of fish. So, for a commercial fish farming business, we must use supplementary feeds to increase production of fish in short span of time.

Fish Farming Business Plan – Different Types of Fish Feed:

There are two different types of fish feed. One is Natural feed and other is supplementary feed.

Natural Fish Feed

The natural fish feed is which grows naturally in the pond, this feed increases the natural fertility of soil and water and this feed can be developed in pond by applying fertilizer is called a natural feed of fish. Natural feed is the main and the best feed for surviving of fish at early stages. Below are some natural feeds for fishes that should be available in the pond.

• Wolffia, eichhornia, pistia, lemna
• Tiny aquatic insects
• Rotted part of animal and plants
• Basal organic elements
• Varieties of grasses like napier, para etc.

Supplementary Fish Feed

Along with natural feed we should also provide some supplementary food for fishes for a healthy growth. As the natural feed available may not be sufficient when they grow bigger. These supplementary feeds which we provide for the fishes are called supplementary fish feeds. Supplementary fish feeds are available in the market or you can prepare yourself.

Supplementary Fish Feeds:

• Refined pulse and wheat roughage
• Mustard or sesame cake
• Fish-meal (fish powder)
• Silk kit meal
• Blood and excreta of bird or animal
• Green leaves of various vegetables
• Minerals and vitamins
• Kitchen leftovers
• Maize powder and refined chaff
• Dried molasses, etc.

How to store the Fish Feed:

• Low moisture fish feed and dry pellet feeds are stored only for two to three months, and these should be stored in a dark cool and dry place.
• High moisture feed and moist pellet feed can be stored for a one week, store them in a freezer, if that facility is not available, use them as soon you buy the feed.
• The Powdery fish feed will pollute water if left in the water for a long time. They should be cleaned regularly.

Fish Farming Business Plan – Marketing Plan in Fish Farming Business Plan:

A successful approach in developing a business plan for fish farming, there are important components to consider before you develop a marketing plan. Below is some feature to consider in fish marketing.

• Fish Market Trends

As the many marketing reports all over the world, the global fisheries and aquaculture production was more than 300 million tonnes by the end of this year. So, by checking the huge demand for fish has increased the fish farming business all over the world. The global aquaculture industry has created the waves for profits in these years. The commercial fish farming has been being increased day by day to meet the demand of the market.

As the people are influenced by the nutritional value of seafood, which increased the demand in all parts of the world. And USA is the largest consumer of fish and the China comes the next.  And 90% of fish consumed in the USA are imported from other countries. This shows the potential of fishes in the international market.

But the most interesting facts is that over 90% of the seafood consumed in the US is imported from other countries around the world. That is why the fish farming industry has a lot of potential in the US and can be immensely profitable if you plan it successfully.

• Marketing Segmentation

In a successful fish marketing plan, the customers or consumers or clients are differentiated into different types.

• Individual clients:

In this you can open a small retail outlet in your farming area in the early stages to grab attention of local people. This mainly targets individual buyers, people will be easily attracted by the fresh and natural fish.

• Departmental Stores or super Market or Meat Stores:

Contact with the nearby departmental stores or supermarkets or meat stores and make a contract with them for supplying the fresh farmed fish. These departmental stores are the best source to market the fishes that can earn good amount of profits.

• Restaurants and Hotels:

Make a contract with the surrounding restaurant and hotels who need fishes on a regular basis throughout the year. The restaurants and hotel are the potential clients after the departmental stores.

Make a detailed study of the market where you can find the potential clients.

• Set a Business Target:

Aim the top is the best formula in a fish farming business. Set the business targets with a time limit that should be achieved in a certain amount of time.

• Balance the investment cost with earned profits by the end of the first year.
• And try to achieve the 10% net profit margin per month by the end of the first year, and 15% of net profits per month by the end of the second year, and 25% net profits per month by the end of the third year. This plan will keep you safe in your fish farming business.

How to Give Price for your fish:

Before setting the price considering the market demands, give the price like the price of all your competitors. The main reason in pricing policy is to attract customers, the minimum attractive rate will keep your business at safer zone at the early stages of business. Don’t give too low prices that give you loss.

Fish Farming Business Plan- Quick Tips to be noticed in a Fish Farming Business Plan:

• Make sure that the fish farm site should have a constant water supply.
• Make sure that the water temperature is optimal for the fish species reared or not.
• Make an easy access to the pond for feeding and harvesting.
• Test the water before you start fish farming both chemical and bacteriological.
• Learn about the modern technical method of risk assessment and as well as risk management.
• Find the qualified suppliers for fish eggs, fingerlings and fish feed which is very crucial in the fish farming business.
• Legal compliance and permission should be fingered out before starting a fish farming business in your locality.
• The site should have a good transport facility, that shows good impact on marketing your products and purchasing necessary commodities from the market.
• Take necessary suggestion from experts or the people who are in the same profession in building up your business.

Read Mud Crab Farming .

Read tilapia fish farming ., 28 comments.

I need a supplier of material for pond lining in Uttar Pradesh or nearby

I have passed M. Sc Zoology with fish & Fisheries and now I want to know fish farm project details.

Check this: RAS Fish Farming Project Report .

I want to start a fish farming business without equipment

I need a consultant for fish farming to start a fresh farm project. I need a person who can help prepare a business plan and end to end advice before , during and after the project

Can you please send me your quote for the same

I want to start fish farming business in navi mumbai, who can guide me on this ?

I want to start fish farming, Hence theres still a lot for me to learn and how can I embark in this journey. I’ll be happy if thers someone who can help from their goodness of their heart.

> How many baby fish of Catla/Rohu/Mrigel of 50 grams each ( in combination of 30:40:30) can be reared for 3 years in a 6 Bigha pond with6 to 6 to 7 ft water depth in eastern fringe of Kolkata? > Planning to sale 50% of first year’s stock in the 2nd year and the balance 50% of first year’s stock in the 3rd year .Full stock of first year would again be stocked in the 2nd,3rd,4th year and so on so that the process continues? > Average good feed cost per month for the suggested quantity just to ensure that the baby fish grows to at least 1 kg/2 kgs and 3 kgs in first,2nd and 3rd year respectively. > What would be best hatcheries in and around Kolkata wherefrom the best baby fish of 50 grams each could be obtained ? > What could be price per unit of 50 grams per 1000 pcs?

Shall be thankful,if the said information is provided to me at the earliest.

I wish to start a catfish farming in the northern Namibia, I m looking for an investor or anyone to partner up with me,

I want to start a fish farming business in sivagangai( tamil nadu), who can guide me on this?

Are u started ur fish farming..if u started means …plzz guide me ….tell some information .I am from Madurai (tamilnadu).I wish to start a fish farming business.so plz guide me with ur knowledge

I want to start a fish farming in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, please I need someone to guide me by helping me build the ponds and guiding me through the preliminary stages, thanks

I want a complete manual for this type of fishing. Mpika, Zambia.

want start pond fish farming in malawi, looking for guidance manual

Hello, I want to start pond fish farming in Afghanistan, i want complete manual and a sample of business plan in soft please. Thanks

I too is a student in uganda studying agriculture and I am very happy to learn and share experiences with every body many time I will ask questions and I may think you will help me iam very glad for joining this flat form

I wish to start a fish pond farming in Cameroon,I need guidance on how to go about it;will be grateful if I can have a manual on the plan and processing.

I would like to start a fish farm in ernakulam,kaloor area.please let me know who can help me in this area. I like to see one fish farm in this area.

I want info about fish farming I am from Nagpur Maharashtra

I’m writing to everyone willing to support me in this, I can do it without any problems, I have good land, natural water, easy transport and even the market.

Thank you. loved your article. It was really helpful for my business. Wish to see more in coming days.

I want to start fish farming or mud crab farming…Where I will get the training for this business.

I want to start fish farming in Lonavla for personal use, can someone guide and help with end to end process.

I’m looking for investors in Ghana

Wanted to start sea fish farm in Tanzania need someone to guide me

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How to do mud crab farming in my terrace?

I would like to start a Fish Farming Project in my rural area , the fresh water supply is not a problem and the land is available just asking a guidance as to how get started .

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Fish Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their fish farms. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a fish farm business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your fish farm as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.  

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a fish farm, or grow your existing fish farm, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your fish farm in order to improve your chances of success. Your fish farm business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.  

Sources of Funding for Fish Farms

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a fish farm are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for fish farms.

If you want to start a fish farming business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your fish farm business plan template:  

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of fish farm you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a fish farm that you would like to grow, or are you operating fish farms in multiple markets?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the fish farm industry. Discuss the type of fish farm you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of fish farm you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of fish farms:

• Inland pond fish farm : this type of fish farm specializes in inland artificial ponds around 20 acres in size and has an aeration system to add oxygen to the ponds.
• Open-net pen and cage system fish farm: this type of fish farm is usually located offshore and in freshwater lakes. Mesh cages are installed with the fish in it.
• Mariculture fish farms: this type of fish farm involves the use of seawater and can be done next to an ocean or in ponds that contain seawater.

In addition to explaining the type of fish farm you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, reaching X amount of clients served, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the fish farm industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the fish farm industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your fish farm business plan:

• How big is the fish farm industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your fish farm? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your fish farm business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: restaurants, grocery retailers, and the local public.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of fish farm you operate. Clearly, grocery retailers would respond to different marketing promotions than the average citizen, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other fish farms.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes grocery stores and restaurants. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other fish farms with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be fish farms located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of fish do they farm?
• What type of fish farm are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Are your fish more responsibly farmed than the competition?
• Will you provide fish products that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a fish farm business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of fish farm company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to a fish farm, will you provide delivery, shipping, gutting and/or preparation, and any other services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your fish farm company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your fish farm located near an ocean, a river, a large pond, etc. Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your fish farm marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to grocers and local restaurants
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your fish farm, including prepping the nets, pulling in the fish, cleaning the fish,weighing and pricing the daily catch, and updating inventory and pricing.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to catch your XXth fish, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your fish farm to a new location.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your fish farm’s ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing fish farms. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a fish farm or is an experienced aquaculturist .  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you take on one new grocer or restaurant at a time or multiple new grocers or restaurants ? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your fish farm, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a fish farm:

• Cost of boats and nets.
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your boat and equipment lease or the list of the different types of fish you will be farming.  

Putting together a business plan for your fish farm is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the fish farm industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful fish farm.  

Fish Farm Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my fish farm business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Fish Farming Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of fish farm you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a fish farm that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of fish farms?

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Fish Farm business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.  

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Fish Farm Business Plan Template

Fish farm business plan.

You’ve come to the right place to create your Fish Farm business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Fish Farms.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Fish Farm business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

AquaHarvest Fish Farm is an aquaculture business located 30 miles north of Madison, Wisconsin. The farm is owned by Jason Newcomb, a fish farm manager for over ten years, who had responsibility for all operations and customer supply in his former position. Now that Jason has garnered a sizable reputation as an experienced fish farmer, several former clients of his last employer are asking Jason if they can begin using his services to supply the fish they need. Jason plans on recruiting a team of professionals to help manage and operate the day-to-day activities found at the AcquaHarvest Fish Farm.

The AquaHarvest Fish Farm will provide high-quality, locally sourced fish to meet the growing demand for fresh and sustainable seafood in the region. By utilizing advanced aquaculture techniques and maintaining a focus on environmental stewardship, AquaHarvest Fish Farm aims to become a leading provider of farm-raised fish in Wisconsin.

Product Offering

The following are the products that AquaHarvest Fish Farm will provide:

• Fresh, locally-sourced, farm-raised trout and tilapia
• Fish products, such as smoked trout, fish jerky, fish for stocking ponds
• Sustainably produced farmed fish in a low-impact environment

Customer Focus

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will target a wide range of customers, including individual consumers, restaurants, grocery stores, and seafood distributors. Additionally, we will focus on promoting our fish as an alternative to wild-caught fish, emphasizing the traceability and sustainability of our farming practices.

Management Team

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will be owned and operated by Jason Newcomb. He recruited his former marketing and sales manager, Tim Olsen, to be the new marketing and sales director for AcquaHarvest Fish Farm.

Jason Newcomb holds a certification from the National Institute of Fish Farming in Sustainable and Environmental Protections. He has been working at a well-known fish farm outside Madison for the past decade. Recently, he determined that he could take the best attributes of his former employer, apply them to his new business, and add several improvements to the fish farming process that would appeal to consumers and lower the environmental toll on the land he purchased.

Tim Olsen, who will be the new Marketing and Sales Director, has been working in his former position for over thirteen years and has won the “Outstanding Sales & Marketing Promotions” award multiple times within the fish farming community groups in Madison, Wisconsin. Tim is known for his ability to strategically market and sell long-term contracts from fish buyers on both a national and international level.

Success Factors

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team of AquaHarvest Fish Farm
• A selection of farmed fresh fish, sustainably raised and locally-sourced
• Fish products; including fish for stocking ponds, fish jerky, and smoked trout
• AquaHarvest Fish Farm will offer the best pricing in town. The pricing structure is the most cost-effective when compared to the competition.

Financial Highlights

AquaHarvest Fish Farm is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its AquaHarvest Fish Farm. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office building and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office space build-out: $20,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for AquaHarvest Fish Farm.

Company Overview

Who is aquaharvest fish farm.

AquaHarvest Fish Farm is a newly established, full-service fish farm 30 miles from Madison, Wisconsin. AquaHarvest Fish Farm will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and efficient choice for customers in Madison and the surrounding communities. AquaHarvest Fish Farm will provide a comprehensive menu of fish and fish products for multiple customer segments to utilize. Their full-service approach includes a comprehensive array of locally-sourced, sustainable fresh fish, smoked fish, fish jerky and other fish products.

  AquaHarvest Fish Farm will be able to effectively provide 300 fresh fish each week, with fish products numbering 200-300 pounds per week. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in the fish farming industry and the management and operations of a fish farm. AquaHarvest Fish Farm provides the perfect one-stop shop for all the fresh, locally-sourced fish customers may need, including filets, steaks, whole fish, fish for sushi, and other expanded customer uses. AquaHarvest will meet every customer expectation or offer refunds, if ever needed.

AquaHarvest Fish Farm History

Since incorporation, AquaHarvest Fish Farm has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered AquaHarvest Fish Farm, LLC to transact business in the state of Wisconsin.
• Has a contract in place at one of the office buildings, where the operations and management teams will set up office space within the 10,000 square foot area.
• Reached out to numerous former clients to include fish handlers, maintenance workers and other staff members for the new fish farm company.
• Began recruiting a staff of ten associates and office personnel to work at AquaHarvest Fish Farm.

AquaHarvest Fish Farm Services

The following will be the products AquaHarvest Fish Farm will provide:

Industry Analysis

• The fish farm industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $202 billion.
• The growth will be driven by the increased need for regulated raising and harvesting of fresh fish and crustaceans.
• The growth will also be driven by the consumer demand for sustainable fish-farmed sources of fish.
• The growth will be driven by the increased interest by consumers in healthful eating practices, including fresh fish.
• Costs will likely be reduced as more fish farms are established and can provide fresh, locally-produced fish.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will target customers within the Madison, Wisconsin region. They will target individual consumers, restaurants, grocery stores and seafood distributors.They will also target consumer groups focused on traceability and sustainability of food, including fish.

Customer Segmentation

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Restaurants
• Grocery stores
• Seafood distributors
• Individual customers

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Fresh SeaPack Fish

The Fresh SeaPack Fish Company is located in Chicago, Illinois. The company is owned by Jerome Packson, a former restaurateur who now oversees the supply of fish and seafood into the finest Chicago restaurants. The company sources locally-raised fish, vacuum-packs and seals each filet, and ships the fish to regional and city-wide restaurants. With one-day service, the fish is as fresh as when it was shipped, which offers excellent flavors for consumers.

Jerome Packson established Fresh SeaPack Fish in 2000, when it became apparent the fish supplies coming in from Alaska were being depleted by wild-caught fishermen. This created in him a drive to change the process, so his company could guarantee a “fresh fish” result in restaurants, while processing and packing up to 24 hours in advance of shipment.

Sea & Land Distributors

Sea & Land Distributors are co-owned by brothers, Dean and Dave Lancaster, who have located their distribution company in Suamico, Wisconsin. From this location, vacuum packed fish can be flown to customers within a multi-state area, typically within 4 hours. The distribution company was formed in 2004 by Dean Lancaster, a former sales manager for a fish industry networking company, and Dave Lancaster, a former seafood salesman for the large, well-known fish and fish product provider.

In addition to fish and fish products, Sea & Land Distributors began distributing fresh beef to restaurants and grocery stores. Using the same processes and techniques, the beef filets, steaks, ribs and other choice cuts are sent to regional clients within 4-hours of processing. This addition to the company has resulted in a significant increase in revenue and the addition of staff to cover the beef portion of the business.

Harris Seafood Company

The Harris Seafood Company is a certified “organic and sustainable” seafood distributor, focusing on the Madison region of Wisconsin. Trent Harris is the owner and president of the company, while six employees process and pack seafood for delivery to Madison restaurants. The company was formed in 2021 and has an estimated 100 customers or clients, who are served weekly or monthly with vacuum-packed seafood.

The Harris Seafood Company has plans to open another processing center in Chicago within three years in order to grow the highly successful seafood sales industry into high-end Chicago restaurants. With demand rising, the Harris Seafood Company plans to meet that demand and exceed current company expectations.

Competitive Advantage

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Highly-qualified team of skilled employees that is able to provide an array of fish and fish products, including smoked trout and fish jerky.
• Fresh locally-sourced fish farmed include: trout and tilapia. These two fish are the most sought-after and easily raised fish in the species, leading AquaHarvest to recognize their prominence in the restaurant industry and provide these two fish for all customers.
• Fish that is sustainably-raised and locally-sourced. Unlike other fish farms, AquaHarvest depends on aqua hydroponic techniques to successfully bring the oxygen and nutrients needed by the fish. These are not harmful to the environment; in fact, these elements enhance our environment over all.
• Unbeatable pricing for clients; AcquaHarvest will offer the lowest pricing in the region.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for AquaHarvest Fish Farm is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

AquaHarvest Fish Farm has built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by providing exceptional service and products to former clients. AquaHarvest Fish Farm will garner the former clients before they begin advertising and marketing to new clients. The former clients have already committed to referring associates to AquaHarvest Fish Farm, as well.

Professional Associations and Networking

Both Jason Newcomb and Tim Olsen are well-known in the fish farm industry and have extensive networking contacts. As such, they will work to secure long term contracts with their core target audience to raise the awareness of the new company as soon as possible.

Print Advertising

Two weeks prior to launch, a direct mail piece will be sent to every restaurant, grocery store, seafood distributor and related fishmonger to announce the opening of the company. A discount for clients to sign contracts in the first month will be announced and special packages of service and products will be offered at that time, as well.

Website/SEO Marketing

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will fully utilize their website. The website will be well-organized, informative, and list all the products and services that AquaHarvest Fish Farm provides. The website will also list their contact information and available fish and fish products each day. The sales and marketing director, Tim Olsen, will also manage AquaHarvest Fish Farm’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics. When someone searches in the Google or Bing search engine “fish farm” or “fresh fish near me”, AquaHarvest Fish Farm will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of AquaHarvest Fish Farm will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for AquaHarvest Fish Farm. Operation Functions:

• Jason Newcomb – will be the Owner and President of the company. He will oversee all staff and manage client relations. Jason has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Nancy Dyce – will be the Office Manager, who will manage the office administration, client files, and accounts payable.
• Tina Stevens – whose role will be the Staff Accountant, providing all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
• Tim Olsen – Sales and Marketing Manager, who will provide all marketing for AquaHarvest Fish Farm and each product offered.
• John Quinten – Farm Manager, who will operate all fish tanks and facilities and provide all maintenance at the properties.

Milestones:

AquaHarvest Fish Farm will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space
• 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the AquaHarvest Fish Farm
• 6/1/202X – Finalize contracts for AquaHarvest Fish Farm clients
• 6/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events
• 6/22/202X – Begin moving into AquaHarvest Fish Farm office
• 7/1/202X – AquaHarvest Fish Farm opens its office for business

Tina Stevens will be the Staff Accountant, providing all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting to Jason Newcomb.

Nancy Dyce will be the Office Manager, who will be responsible for the office administration, client files, and act as an executive assistant, upon request.

John Quinten, will take on the role of Farm Manager, in charge of the tank operations, cleaning, facilities oversight and all maintenance at the property buildings.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for AquaHarvest Fish Farm are the customer fees they will charge to the target audience for their services.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff AquaHarvest Fish Farm. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

AquaHarvest Fish Farm is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its fish farm. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of Customers Per Month: 185
• Average Revenue per Month: $44,500
• Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, fish farm business plan faqs, what is a fish farm business plan.

A fish farm business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your fish farm business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Fish Farm business plan using our Fish Farm Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Fish Farm Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of fish farm businesses , some examples include: Inland pond fish farm, Open-net pen and cage system fish farm, and Mariculture fish farms.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Fish Farm Business Plan?

Fish Farm businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Fish Farm Business?

Starting a fish farm business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Fish Farm Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed fish farm business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your fish farm business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your fish farm business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Fish Farm Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your fish farm business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your fish farm business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Fish Farm Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your fish farm business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your fish farm business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

• Vegetable Farming

Fruit Farming

Flower farming, livestock farming, aquaculture, poultry farming.

How to select the area for fish farming?

• Select the areas that clean and fertile. Don’t go for sloped lands.
• Don’t select the flooded and polluted lands, these can harm your business.
• Don’t select the land near the farming lands, as fertilizers and pesticides used in farming lands may mix with water and can the fishes.
• You should select the land that is slightly lower than the main water source. Areas near main water resources can reduce the cost of filling water to your farmland.
• Area your select should have a good transportation system that can be easy to market your products and other necessities.

Select the type of fish farm for your Fish Farming Business Plan:

Fish farming business can be started in many types, cage system, tank system, or pond system.

Cage System of Fish Farming Business Plan: Make a suitable cage and place it in lakes, ponds, bayous, or oceans and start feeding the fish until they grow for marketing.

Tank System of Fish Farming Business Plan: In this system fishes are raised in tanks, make of a few tanks, and grown fish in them .

Pond system of Fish Farming Business Plan:  In this pond system, first you should construct the pond;

• Fish Farming Business Plan – Pond Construction: Construct the suitable pond in the area you selected for fishing. For that, you make a perfect design and construct the pond according to that. The design of the pond depends on the fish species you opted to raise. While designing the ponds, you should ensure the availability of all types of facilities for maintaining a profitable fish farming business. In designing the ponds, you take suggestions from the nearest fisheries institute to learn about the specific pond design. The pond environment should good and clean, which promotes the healthy growth of fish.
• Fish Farming Business Plan – Pond Management: Successful fish farming depends on the pond ecosystem. The source of water can be a river, lake, or other natural ways like rainwater and underground water. Ponds should have the facility to change water weekly or monthly. For high fish production, the pond water should be changed or replaced only when it would lose from evaporation or seepage. Changing the whole water more and more may reduce the reduce production. Small-sized and medium-sized ponds are easy to maintenance. Giant ponds are not suitable for good maintenance.
• Fish Farming Business Plan – Size of the Pond: The size  of the farming depends on your farming type.  If your cultivating fish commercially you must make a large one. The shape of the pond should be square or rectangular.
• Fish Farming Business Plan – The depth of the Pond: The water depth will be 30% in one corner and 100% in another corner. The depth of the water depends on the species of fish you are cultivating. The depth of the pond can be more if you want to use it for reserving water for the dry season .  

The pond should be well-drained to remove all water while collecting the fish. The shore of the fish pond should be wide enough for reducing the erosion problem. Fishpond should be prevented from theft, so you should construct the pond near the residence or it should keep people for security. Another way is by keeping bamboo poles or tree branches with thorns in the ponds, it will make it impossible to collect fish with the net. The bamboo pole and tree branches not only prevent fish from theft but also serves fish come extra natural food.

For commercial fish farming you need some additional equipment:

• Aerations Devices.
• Net or seine reels.
• Handling and grading equipment.
• Water testing equipment.

Selecting the suitable species is very important that keeps your business in profits. You should select the breeds that have a huge market and high prices in your local and export markets. The most famous fish breeds that used in fish farming are carp, salmon, tilapia, and catfish. There are even many other fish species that have many varieties that are suitable for farming in all types of agro-climatic conditions. You should the fish species for farming, depending on your local climate, facilities, demand, and price.

Fishes that are grown in Saltwater: Prawn, Green Tiger shrimp, Indian White Shrimp, Horina Chingri, Bhetki, Bombay Duck, Rupchanda, Lalpoa, Hilsa, Tuna, Lakha, Dogfish, Ribbon Fish.

Fishes Grown InFresh Water: Katla, Ruli, Kalibaus, Ghonia, Mrigal, Nandina, Common crap, Sharpunti, Titpunti, Mola, Chela, Dankina, Boumach, Gutum, Aier, golsa Tangra, Rita, Pangas, Magur, African Catfish, Shing, Gozarm Taki, Kuche, Vheda, Nilotica, Koi, kholisa, Tepa, Chapila, FOli, Chotal, Lobster.

There are different fish species that are raised on fish farms, the most common fish species raised are salmon, carp, tilapia, catfish, catla, and cod, etc.

• Catfish Farming of a Fish Farming Business Plan: Catfish farming is suitable for the warm climate. These grown in freshwater ponds and fed with soybean, corn, and rice. This is more sustainable fish species for fish farming. It is popular for its health benefits. Harvesting periods for catfish are 18 months. There are a number of varieties of catfish some popular ones are blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish.
• Tilapia Farming of a Fish Farming Business Plan: One of the most popular fish used in fish farming in Asia. This fish has great demand for high protein, size, and production capability. Tilapia grow well in the warmer climate. Water temperature should be between 28 to 30 degreesCelsius of temperature. Tilapia fish require a cereal-based diet and don’t eat other fish. The reproduction rate in this fish species is very high so managing them is a bit challenging. These fish’s good resistance power in fighting the diseases.
• Salmon Farming of a Fish Farming Business Plan: One of the most popular fish farming species having great demand in the market. There are two other varieties of Pacific salmon that are also farmed-chinook and coho. These fish should be vaccinated to prevent diseases. Salmon feed is made to conserve wild fish stocks .
• Tuna farming of a Fish Farming Business Plan: These fish are saltwater fish and have great demand in the commercial fish farming business. Japan is having a great market for this fish species. Their many species of tuna are bluefin, yellowfin, and albacore. Tuna are carnivorous and eat other fishes, these are farmed in net pends offshore and recirculation systems.
• Eel Farming a Fish Farming Business Plan: These fishes have a huge export market. Eel fish farming majorly is done in Asia, Japan and Taiwan are leading producers of Eel fish. Eel fish live in freshwater they are young, and as they are mature they migrate to the sea for breeding.

Feeding the most important part of fish farming. You should always provide fish a high quality and nutritious food. As the quality of food leads to maximum production but also keeps the fish healthy with more weight. You should provide them both supplementary fish feed along with natural food. There are many brands of supplementary fish feed is available in the market depends on the specific fish species. The fish feed can be prepared on your own, you can learn preparation. You should take care that the feed should have all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, minerals, salt, etc. Feeding time depends on the fish species. Overfeeding may affect the fish .

• Natural Fish Feed: Water is the medium for surviving fish. There are much natural fish feeds available in the water.  This natural feed depends upon water and soil fertility. This natural fish feed can be increased by using fertilizer. Natural fish feeds are Plankton(microscopic plants), Aquatic plants and insects, tiny moss, the organic substance of pons, various types of grasses in water.
• Supplementary Fish Feed:
• Rice Bran- A very common and cheap better fish feed. It contains 10 to 14% proteins, Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and many enzymes .
• Wheat Chaff: Contains more fiber, controls many types of fish diseases. The amount of protein is 10 to 15%.
• Maize: Best fish supplementary feed, it contains proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamin A, and E.
• Tiny moss: Floaty water plants, contain 14 to 20 % protein.
• Fish Powder: Easily digestible fish meal, contains 55 to 60% protein.
• Bone Powder: Best food for Fishbone, contains calcium and magnesium .
• Other supplementary feeds are Vitamins, animal blood, etc

For best fish production you provide both natural and supplementary fish feeds.

The food you provide to fish should be fresh and nutritious. Pond maintaining plays a major role in fish productions. Water in the pond can be changed occasionally or can use some necessary chemicals according to the suggestion of an expert. Fish health should be monitored regularly on a regular basis. All the necessary far tasks should be done timely. The pond environment should be maintained properly with timely maintenance for good fish production and growth. Regular soil and water quality test should be done on regular basis. You should keep stock of necessary drugs on your farm. Should take all necessary steps to prevent all types of predators, including frogs, snakes, etc.

Fish may get infected by diseases for many reasons. Some reasons for diseases in fishes:

• Bacterial, fungus, viral, and germ attack.
• Parasites like worms, leech, lice, etc.
• Malnutrition.
• Changes in water.
• Pollutions in water.
• Using excessive organic and chemical fertilizer.

Types of Diseases:

• Bacterial Diseases: Tail and fin rot diseases, gill rot diseases, etc.
• Fungus Diseases.
• Viral Diseases.
• Parasite Diseases: White spot diseases, argulosis fluke diseases, etc.
• Malnutrition’s Diseases: Caused due to lack of protein food.

Fish Farming Business Plan – Disease Symptoms in Fish:

• Fish stops consuming food.
• Losing physical balance.
• Floats over water.
• Rubbing their body to stones in water.
• Swimming restlessly.
• Head grows large.
• Losses bright looks.
• The natural color of fish get changes and becomes light or dark.
• Excessive release of mucus.
• Belly gets swelled and eyes come out.
• Fish become very sick.
• Rotation can be seen in the gill of the fish.

Fish Farming Business Plan  – Prevention Method for Fish Diseases:

Some prevention methods to keep your fishes away from diseases:

• Pond or tank environments should be favorable for fish farming.
• Should maintain the quality of soul and water suitable for fish.
• Always stock healthy, strong, and high-quality minnow in the pond.
• Fishpond should in an open place and free from aquatic weeds.
• Ponds should be kept safe from harmful animals.
• Don’t allow floodwater to enter the pond.
• Supply sufficient quality fertilizer and food in the pond regularly.
• The pond should be germ-free by using lime in the pond 2-3 times a year.
• Test the fish health once a month.
• Diseases or infected fish should be removed from the pond.
• The net used for removing infected fish should not used to catching healthy fish.
• You should maintain the balance between the number of stocked fish and the stocking power of the pond.
• Should provide nutritious food at regular times .

Harvesting in Fish Farming Business Plan

Read this: tilapia fish farming ..

Fish takes a certain period of time to become suitable for harvesting. Each fish species take a different period to get ready for harvesting.  You can start harvesting when fish start reaches a marketable weight for marketing. For harvesting, you can use nets or by removing water from the pond. Harvesting of the fish should be done during the morning or afternoon when the temperature is low. After harvesting, send the fish directly to the market as soon as possible.

Marketing is not a big task in fish farming. There are many markets available where you can market your products. All types of fishes are in great demand in the market. After harvesting, you can sell your fish at your nearest markets. Even there many companies that export the fish to other countries. So, there no matter to worry about marketing you just need to focus only on producing quality fish.

Commercial fish farming is really a very profitable and good source of earning living. If you are planning to enter into this business, you need to fish make a complete study of fish farms and fish breeds. For this, you need to visit nearby fish farms.

Indoor fish farming is the best alternative to cultivate fish outdoor in a cage system. Under many technological advances, raising fish indoor is now possible with proper control production methods.  Indoor fish farming is a bit troublesome below are some advantages and disadvantages of fish farming.

Advantages:

• Fish will be safe from predators and weather changes.
• Fish are grown under suitable temperatures in good water with regular feeding.
• Fish escaping can be prevented and getting loose amongst wild fish populations.
• Allows higher stock densities and often saved farm labor input costs.
• Indoor fish farming is flexible and can save transportation costs .

Disadvantages:

• Huge maintenance like electricity, infrastructure.
• Huge investment.
• Fish raised indoors are carnivorous, they require a large amount of other fish for their diet.

In case if you miss this: Growing Vegetables Hydroponically .

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Thanks, Mr. Reddy. I read your article on fish farming. It is a very insightful document for aspiring fish farmers. Thanks a lot

Thank you Mr Reddy for your effort to provide the required information related to the poultry and fish farming project. I am a newcomer in the farm sector but your articles reduced my doubts in this segment.

Thanks with regards

Thank you for your information,I love to start fish farming businesses in my compound Nigeria Delta state warri

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Fish Farming Business Plan and Financial Estimation

by Tuesday Best Saint

Fish farming means 'raising fish commercially in tanks, ponds or other enclosures for the purpose of producing food'. Commercial fish farming has already established as a profitable business venture throughout the world. Fish is a great source of food and protein. The demand and price of fish and fish related products are also increasing rapidly, in accordance with rapid population growth. This is the main reason of increasing this business around the world. Almost all countries around the world are somehow suitable for fish farming business. But the countries with coastal areas are very suitable for this business. There are many areas, where fish farming business is the only way of livings for the people. However, here we are describing more about the advantages of fish farming and the steps for starting this business commercially. Why Fish Farming? There are many advantages of starting commercial fish farming business. Here we are describing the main advantages of fish farming business. • According to the demand, commercial fish farming business allows for large supplies of fish. Catching fish from the wild can't always fulfill the consumer's demand. In such cases commercial fish farming can meet up this demand. • Fish can be raised in tanks until they are ready for marketing, and they don't require the extensive capture of wild fish. Thus commercial fish farming helps to preserve natural ecosystems. • Compared to the wild brethren, some farm raised fish species are more nutritious. Fish are usually fed a wide variety of protein and nutrient enriched foods or pellets on commercial fish farms. So farm fish become more healthier than the wild fish. • Various types of fish species are available throughout the world. So you can choose your desired species for your fish farming business. • Fish are very popular as food around the world. So there is an established fish market, and you don't have to worry about marketing your products. • You can start fish farming business in both large or small scale production purpose. • If you don't have enough capital for starting this business, then you can apply for bank loans. Many banks will allow loans for starting this business commercially. • Fish farming business is a great source of employment. More than 1 billion people around the world depend on fish as their primary protein source. And most of this people are directly or indirectly involved with fish products or fish farming business. As a result, fish farming creates a great income and employment source for the people. Global fish exportation business is now earning more money every year, than any other food commodity. • Even you can meet up your daily family nutritional demands through small scale fish farming in tanks or ponds. How to Start Fish Farming Business? For maintaining a profitable fish farming business, you have to go through some step by step process. The steps for starting a fish farming business includes selecting suitable farm land or area, fish farm type (cage, tank or pond), cage or pond construction, selecting fish species,

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EIra Carballo

Md. Rabiul Islam

The present study was conducted to reveal the present scenario, problems and the prospect of fish farming of Gazipur Sadar upazila Bangladesh. The primary data were collected through field survey, questionnaire interview and focus group discussion from the fish farmers of several villages and urban areas of the upazila. Secondary data were collected from the Department of Fisheries and aquaculture extension section. Gazipur Sadar upazila has 14462.42 ha potential fisheries resources of which floodplains, seasonal water bodies, and ponds comprise 71.01%, 13.04%, and 8.57%, respectively. The total fish production of the upazila in 2016-17 was 14492.7 MT, 27% of the Gazipur district. The highest fish production of 5436 MT and 4.39 MT/ha/year came from the pond sector. Among different pond culture systems, the semi-intensive system had the highest fish production output (2826 MT). Exotic carps were the highest produced fish in the ponds. However, in spite of comprising a huge proportion of seasonal floodplains the fish production from this sector was only 0.42 MT/ha/year in 2016-2017. This indicates the poor utilization of inland open water resources for fish production in the study area. The major areas were identified to improve the existing pond fish farming situation were access to low-interest loan, quality seed, supply of advanced technologies, need-based training, and marketing facilities. Along with improving the pond fish farming, community-based fisheries management and some aquaculture initiatives on private own seasonal floodplains should be taken on a priority basis to improve open water management and to flourish inland fish production in the study area.

Sourabh K Dubey

petrus sutanto

Venugopal Gandikota

adithya prakash

Muhammad Chowdhury

2004, Urban Ecosystems

This paper describes the present status of aquaculture activities in Dhaka City and its surrounding areas including the system of fish marketing and distribution and environmental and socioeconomic issues. Dhaka City contains over 10 million people and is expanding day by day. Demand of fish in the last 10 years has increased as a result of increases in population and income levels. The annual per capita consumption of fish is reported to drop by 0.5 kg since 1985. The reason for this decline is increased prices and decreased supply of fish. Fish supply to the city comes from catch in the rivers-estuaries and floodlands of Dhaka district, neighboring districts, imports from other areas and aquaculture in surrounding areas of the city. Considerable quantities of fish are imported from India, Myanmar and Thailand. Seasonal patterns are common both in supply and consumption of fish. Along with traditional rural household aquaculture, in recent years, urban and peri-urban aquaculture has also been popular. Three broad types of aquaculture activities are found in and around Dhaka City; these are polyculture of carp in ponds, monoculture of catfishs in ponds, and pen and cage aquaculture in open waters. The carp includes both Indian major carp and Chinese carp and some minor carp. The catfish group includes mainly Thai pangas (Pangasius sutchi). Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is also widely popular among the farmers. The technology used for aquaculture is improved extensive to semi-intensive. Increasing demand for fish in the city markets has encouraged the expansion of peri-urban aquaculture with a corresponding increase in the proportion of farmed fish in the markets.

Abiodun Osokoya

Jonas W Ng'ambi

Gyanu Basnet

Walubita Nasilele

Louis Landesman

Matama Alphonse

Flower Msuya

Baadruzzoha Sarker , Dr. Muhammad F O R H A D Ali

2016, Research in Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries

The potential and prospect of fish farming of Sreemangal, Moulvibazar was carried out from January to December 2015 by interviewing of 90 fish farmers with a well-structured questionnaire. The survey revealed that 40% of the ponds were seasonal and 60% perennial, of which 85% with single ownership and 15% accompanied by multiple ownership. The average pond size was 0.13 ha and depth 2.6 m. The ponds were prepared using of lime, cow dung, urea and TSP at the rate of 250, 250, 40 and 20 kg/ha, respectively. Nearly all of the farmers practiced polyculture with Indian major carps and exotic carps. Fish was stocked from March to June and average stocking density was 15,500 fingerlings/ha. To sustain natural food production, farmers generally used cow dung, urea and TSP at the rate of 2,600, 300 and 150 kg/ha/yr, respectively. Healthy environmental condition was maintained by applying lime and salt at 600 and 60 kg/ha/yr, respectively. The fish were fed by supplementary feed (45% farm) e.g., rice bran and mustard oil-cake with an average quantity of 2,200 and 550 kg/ha/yr, respectively and artificial pellet feed (55% farm). The average fish production, production cost and profit were found 2,945 kg/ha/yr, 1,25,940 and 94,935 Tk./ha/yr, respectively. The major constraints for sustainable pond fish farming were non-availability of fish fingerlings during stocking period, insufficient water in dry season, high production cost, poor technical knowledge, lack of money etc. By establishing more hatcheries, arranging training at farm level, providing interest free or at lower interest loan to the farmers the existing fish production could be increased. To cite this article: Sarker B and MF Ali, 2016. Fish farming status at Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar district, Bangladesh. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish., 3 (2): 361-368.

Nesar Ahmed

2010, Aquaculture International

This paper examines freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming in southwest Bangladesh where a large number of farmers have converted their rice fields to export oriented prawn farms, locally known as gher. The gher design potentially provides good opportunities for diversified production of prawn, fish, rice and dike crops, that has brought about a ‘blue revolution’. The average annual yield of prawn, fish and rice was estimated at 467, 986 and 2,257 kg ha−1, respectively. Large farmers produced higher production due to more inputs, larger farm size and longer experience of prawn farming than others. All farmers in different gher size categories (i.e., small, medium and large) made a profit, with seed and feed dominating variable costs. Despite a higher production costs per hectare, the average annual net return was higher in large farms (US$2,426), compared with medium (US$1,798) and small (US$1,420) farms. Prawn production in gher systems has been accompanied by a great deal of social and economic benefits. Most farmers associate the blue revolution with increases in income and living standards. Socio-economic benefits of the households of prawn farmers depend on resource ownership (i.e., farm size) and are very apparent. Nevertheless, a number of significant challenges, particularly social and environmental issues, are vital in translating its benefits effectively to the thousands of rural poor.

Zambia Agribusiness Society - ZAS Small Scale Fish Farming Business Plan – Mr. Keith Soboya

Executive Summary: 

The main focus of the business is to raise different species of fish that is found of the Zambian market such asTilapia and Catfish. The industry has had a good market price over the year's cause of its high demand, so we plan to run as a medium scale for a year and later expand to different production size. 

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