Agriculture ยท GS3
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
One line
A commercial tropical Recirculating Aquaculture System facility demonstrated year-round rainbow-trout farming under controlled conditions in Telangana.
Summary
Recirculating systems reuse treated water and control temperature, oxygen, and waste. They can reduce land and water demand, but require capital, energy, skilled operation, biosecurity, and reliable markets.
PYQ pattern
UPSC often links fisheries with food security, water use, livelihoods, disease, and the blue economy. See the official UPSC question-paper archive.
Core notes
- Water is filtered and returned to culture tanks rather than continuously discharged.
- The project tested a cold-water fish in a tropical climate through environmental control.
- Closed systems can reduce escape and disease exposure, but a technical failure can affect dense fish stocks quickly.
Prelims lens
- Rainbow trout is normally associated with cold, oxygen-rich water.
- Recirculation reduces water exchange but does not make aquaculture impact-free.
- Aquaculture is farming of aquatic organisms, unlike capture fishing.
MCQ 1
The main feature of a recirculating aquaculture system is:
- A. Treatment and reuse of culture water
- B. Dependence only on ocean currents
- C. Complete absence of energy use
- D. Wild capture without enclosures
Reveal answerHide answer
A
Water treatment and reuse allow environmental conditions to be controlled inside the system.
MCQ 2
Rainbow trout generally prefers:
- A. Cold, oxygen-rich water
- B. Hypersaline desert ponds
- C. Dry soil
- D. Anaerobic sewage lagoons
Reveal answerHide answer
A
Trout physiology is adapted to cool water with high dissolved oxygen.
Mains
Question, 10 marks, 150 words: Assess the potential and constraints of intensive recirculating aquaculture in India.
Approach:
- Explain the technology and resource advantages.
- Discuss high-value species, training, and urban markets.
- Examine energy, feed, disease, welfare, and financial risk.
- Suggest standards, extension support, insurance, and renewable-energy integration.