Optimising aquaculture management of a single-species fish population

An aquaculture fish management model is designed, capable of optimising operations so as to maximise producer's profits. Use of capital theoretic formula and optimal control methods enabled us to consider a complicated system where fish ponds are integrated with a field crop through a sharing of irrigated water. Fish size is non-symetrically distributed-to be accounted for in the selective harvesting. Growth rates are a function of time, feed quality and availability, and biomass density. Optimising feeding and harvesting schemes under various market and environmental conditions is possible. Optimal initial stocks, length of growing cycles and water flow rates can be calculated. Flexible computer programming allows for sensitivity analysis and practical use in decision making. It becomes very clear, though, that the key to proper utilisation of this tool is a good data base-representing the biological processes and economical conditions. Obviously, some of this information requires more research.