What does AquaFarm do?

• AquaFarm is simulation and decision-support software for aquaculture design and management planning.

• AquaFarm uses computer modeling and simulation as an analytical foundation for system design and performance testing.

• AquaFarm can be applied to all types of aquaculture systems, including finfish, crustacean, mollusk, and microalgae and macroalgae production facilities.

• AquaFarm can be used for purposes of aquaculture design and management planning, enterprise development, research, and education. 

• AquaFarm is not intended for daily operations management and record keeping.

How does AquaFarm work?  

AquaFarm uses modeling and simulation to test and analyze aquaculture systems.  AquaFarm is based on published methods and models of aquaculture science and engineering.  These methods and models are described in:    

• Ernst, D.H., Bolte, J.P., Nath, S.S., 2000. AquaFarm: simulation and decision support for aquaculture facility design and management planning, Aquacultural Engineering (23)1-3, pp. 121-179.  >>>  Paper available as a PDF document.  Printed copies are also available from the author (see Contact menu to request).

• Ernst, D.H., 2000. AquaFarm: simulation and decision support for aquaculture facility design and management planning. PhD Dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. 383 pp.  >>>  Dissertation available at http://wwwlib.umi.com/dxweb/.  Order number [9973877], Author [Ernst, Douglas Henry], Title [AquaFarm: Simulation and Decision-Support Software for Aquaculture Facility Design and Management Planning].

• A slide show of the methods and applications of AquaFarm (to be completed).

Software Applications

AquaFarm can be applied to a wide range of finfish, crustacean, mollusk, microalgae and macroalgae production facilities, including (1) static and recirculating green-water pond systems, (2) intensive water reuse and recirculation systems, and (3) flow-through and cage (net pen) systems.  AquaFarm can be used for aquaculture design and management planning, enterprise development, research, and education.

Users of AquaFarm have complete control over facility system configurations, physical components, culture species, and management strategies and methods.  Following facility specification, the physical, biological, and economic performance of the facility is predicted by simulation.  Simulation results are then compiled into tabular and graphical summaries for review.  This procedure provides a powerful analytical basis for decision making, ranging from scenario testing and what-if analyses to fine-tuning of system specifications and management planning.

Software Architecture

The object-oriented software architecture of AquaFarm is shown below.