David Zurick, winner of the 2006 National Outdoor Book Award, recounts an event in his life that seems exceedingly uncomplicated: he builds a goldfish pond in his backyard. Yet, there is more to a goldfish pond than meets the eye. Zurick's compelling story travels the world, encompassing places of extraordinary beauty and rich cultural traditions, but the core of it is in Wolf Gap Holler, Kentucky, where he lives among hard-working and community-minded neighbors, cuts firewood to keep warm in the winter, and enjoys morning coffee by his goldfish pond . . . often with his neighbor George. Entertaining and informative, the book at first seems so simple that one barely notices its treatises on the sacred qualities of place, the contemplative virtues of nature, the dilemmas of sustainability, and the spiritual framework that undergirds life. Yet, this is what this book is about: a sacred and seamless landscape that extends from the highest mountain plateaus in Tibet to the deepest hollers of Kentucky.

Winner of the 2006 National Outdoor Book Award, David Zurick recounts an event in his life that seems exceedingly uncomplicated: he built a goldfish pond in his backyard. Yet, there is more to a goldfish pond than meets the eye. Zurick's compelling story travels the world, encompassing places of extraordinary beauty and rich cultural traditions, but the core of it is in Wolf Gap Holler, Kentucky, where he lives among hard-working and community-minded neighbors, cuts firewood to keep warm in the winter, and enjoys morning coffee by his goldfish pond . . . often with his neighbor George. Entertaining and informative, the book at first seems so simple that one barely notices its treatises on the sacred qualities of place, the contemplative virtues of nature, the dilemmas of sustainability, and the spiritual framework that undergirds life. Yet, this is what this book is about: a sacred and seamless landscape that extends from the highest mountain plateaus in Tibet to the deepest hollers of Kentucky.

An understanding of the ecology of a fish pond is essential for the achievement of steady and high fish production in ponds. For the ecologist, the fish pond is a small laboratory: easy to investigate and responding rapidly to manipulation. For the aquaculturist, the ecology shows the ways and means of interventions ensuring an increase of production. The book deals with the different aspects of natural production within a pond, referring it to African conditions: considering first the role of soil as source and sink of nutrients for the water, then nutrient cycling within water and the fate of fertilizers added to ponds, and finally the contribution of natural productivity to fish production. The important sum of information brought together in this volume is valuable for both aquaculturist and ecologist, who lack a handbook on the ecology of a fish pond. It will capture the interest of African aquaculturists and stimulate aquaculture research on natural production.

Integrated fish farming is a sustainable and effective tool for improving rural economy due to its cumulative cost effectiveness, low investment and higher profitability. It optimizes the farm productivity per unit area through incorporation of recycling wastes and residues from one farming system to the other with due environmental consideration. It plays very important role in many aspects of women/youth development and empowerment and more profitable than unitary system of farming as it ensures a spread of financial risk for its varied diversified nature in rearing fish, animals and crops; it has a capacity of making more food available thus enhancing food security. Besides, it provide employment, thus alleviating poverty and enhancing the economic status of the rural population in India and reduce to the barest minimum the level of violence from disenchanted youth that is characteristic of the country in recent times. The benefits of integrated fish farming result either from direct consumption of fish by the producing households or from gains in income resulting in the purchasing of other cheaper foods, which lead to improved household food consumption in India. This book lays down the basic concepts and practice of integrated fish farming in terms of the history, present status, necessity, types, combination ratios etc. Cost-benefit analyses of some Integrated Fish Farming systems are also explored; the health risks to human beings and fish from Integrated Fish Farming systems and water quality issues are also treated. The book will be of interest to students, researchers, farmers, extension agents, health authorities and the general public.