Which definition best describes aquaculture?

The definition that best describes aquaculture is the production of aquatic plants and animals. Aquaculture encompasses the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants for various purposes, including food, restoration, and other economic uses. It involves managing the entire lifecycle of these organisms in controlled environments, such as ponds, rivers, lakes, and marine systems.

This definition captures the essence of aquaculture as it relates to human practices aimed at cultivating aquatic life for consumption, economic benefit, and ecological restoration. In contrast, the options focusing on the ecology of aquatic plants and animals or the scientific study of fish do not fully encompass the production aspect central to aquaculture. They focus on different disciplines—one being more about environmental science and the other about biological research—rather than the specific practices and purposes involved in aquaculture.