A model for restocking and harvesting aquaculture: A case of multi-pond, multi-cycle, and multi-fish type farming

Aquaculture rotation problem is a continuous operation in which harvesting decision affects factors such as payoff, product size/growth and the growing of a new crop. To maximise the overall returns, a manager must balance the returns from a new crop after harvesting the current one. The situation is more complicated when dealing with large numbers of small-scale farmers and year-round demands in crop variation from month to month. In this study, a mathematical model and a heuristic based on the genetic algorithm (GA) for multiple ponds, multiple fish types, and multiple cycles for restocking and harvesting decision, with the objective of profit maximisation, are developed. A scheduling and restocking plan demonstrates the simplicity and ease in facilitating the decision.