The Zambian Government, in collaboration with FAO, undertook the elaboration of this curriculum (part I) within the framework of the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (UTF/ZAM/077/ZAM). Furthermore, FAO complemented the practicality of this curriculum by drafting and refining the Training Manual (part II), which has been tested in many African countries and with different stakeholders. To ensure complementarity of opportunities and clear progression of education and capacity development, each actor involved in the sector should strive to network with teaching institutions, researchers and producers to guarantee that the curriculum remains relevant and stays abreast of developments for aquaculture practitioners; this will include developing national, regional and international linkages with institutions involved in aspects of training for aquaculture. Therefore, this curriculum will function as a living document.

A practical introduction to aquaculture for those who are new to fish farming or have become involved in farming a different species. The first part covers the basic biology of those fish and shellfish which are commonly farmed, their frowth, nutrition and reproduction, and also outlines the various methods of farming. The second part deals specifically in more detail with the farming of salmonids, catfish, tilapia, carp, milkfish, mullet, turbot, marine prawns, freshwater prawns, oysters, mussels, eels and scallops.

Complementing Module 1 on the technical dimension of commercial aquaculture, this training module looks at the economic aspects of aquaculture development and discusses sustainability and business planning. It provides guidance for small- and medium-scale fish farmers on assessing the economic and financial viability of their fish farms, including the technicalities of cost structure and cash flow analyses.

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing, successful approach to improving diets by providing more high quality fish and shellfish protein. It is also an industry with major unresolved issues because of its negative impact on the environment. This book is a pioneering effort in the development of environmentally benign aquaculture methods.

This first module on managing aquaculture as a business covers technical aspects such as primary productivity, carrying capacity, growth rate and yield in water, general classification criteria for aquaculture systems and the main features of pond- and cage-based fish farming systems. It will be complemented by a second module on the economic aspects.