Pen Culture

• Also known as enclosure culture in Nepal.
• Defined as the raising of fish in a volume of water enclosed on all sides except the bottom, permitting the free circulation of water at least from one side.
• Considered a hybrid between pond and cage culture.
• Contains benthic fauna which serves as food for the fish.
• Environment characterized by a free exchange of water with the enclosing water body and high dissolved oxygen concentrations.

Advantages

• Economical use of natural water resources which are unsuitable for other means of fish culture.
• Greater production in limited space owing to continuous water movements with rich food supply and oxygen besides maintaining good water supply.
• Removal of organic matter and nutrients accumulated in plankton as fish flesh.
• Low investment but high return.
• No need for fertilization.