The Aqua Culture Expo 2026, New Grain Market, Karnal, Haryana, India.

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms like fish, shellfish, algae, and plants in controlled environments (freshwater, brackish, or saltwater), essentially "farming in water" to supplement wild catches, provide food, create ornamental species, or support ecosystem restoration, contrasting with traditional fishing by managing lifecycles with feeding, stocking, and predator protection. It encompasses diverse practices, from land-based tanks to sea cages, aiming for sustainable protein and other products while managing environmental factors. 

Organisms Farmed: Finfish (tilapia, salmon, trout), shellfish (shrimp, oysters, mussels), algae (seaweed), and aquatic plants (lotus).

Methods: Rearing in ponds, tanks, pens, or nets, with interventions like seeding, feeding, and water quality control.

Environments: Freshwater, saltwater (marine), and brackish water systems.

Purposes:

Food Production: Protein-rich food for humans.

Stock Enhancement: Rebuilding populations of threatened species.

Bait & Sport: Production for fishing bait and sport fisheries.

Ornamental: Raising colorful fish and plants for aquariums.

Industrial: Providing feedstock for other industries.