Love underwater sports, constant contact with marine or fresh water environment? Maybe Aquaculture is your next big business.
The broad term "aquaculture" refers to the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of water environments, including ponds, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Similar to agriculture, aquaculture can take place in the natural environment or in a manmade environment. Using aquaculture techniques and technologies, researchers and the aquaculture industry are "growing," "producing," "culturing," and "farming" all types of freshwater and marine species.
More specifically, marine aquaculture refers to the culturing of marine species, while freshwater aquaculture focuses on the culturing of freshwater species. For example, marine aquaculture production includes oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, and salmon, while freshwater aquaculture operations produce trout, catfish, and tilapia.
With respect to marine aquaculture, the major technological barriers are:
- Finding suitable sites in coastal areas, where aquaculture must compete with many other coastal uses;
- Clarifying the regulatory and environmental requirements for existing as well as new marine aquaculture operations, including offshore (federal waters); and
- Developing technologies and best management practices to ensure that various types of production systems are compatible with marine ecosystems.
It can be extremely expensive to start a business like this in the US, that’s why everyday global entrepreneurs evaluate also established markets like Peru or Ecuador. For example, Peru has a good variety of exportable offers in the Seafood and Aquaculture business: http://www.prompex.gob.pe/catalog/empresa1.asp?idsector=1 from scallops to tilapia.
Remember that always is a good idea to assess your ideas or business ventures with a complete business plan. It will cost you time, not money.
