A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering of the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1972

The role of fish pond culture and its potential for development as a source of inexpensive high-grade animal protein and its significance as a means for alleviating the proteins shortage in developing countries are. discussed. Using Thailand as an empirical case study the major inputs, constraints, and key production factors in fish pond cultures ate identified. Techniques in fish farm management are examined in details and the institutional constraints discussed. An outline for feasibility evaluation of fish pond culture is presented. Recognizing the profit motive as. the prime incentive for fish pond culturing a mathematical model was developed to aid in economic analysis and decision-making of fish farming· The mathematical model proposed can be employed to upgrade· decision making and culture methods to increase yields per unit effort and to reduce production-costs per unit of weight of fish produced. A demand analysis for fish, in the case of Thailand, is performed so as to identify the desirable national increment and potentials for outside financial support in marine fisheries and in fish pond cultures. Problems of finance and capital in fish pond culturing are evaluated also. The need for a combination of biological and engineering skills to exploit fish pond culture is delineated from a 'systems approach·'