Fish are generally considered good quality food for human consumption because of the low saturated fat levels and generally high levels of n-3 fatty acids. Fish tend to retain the fatty acids that are in their diet. Thus, we can manipulate the fatty acid concentrations of fish and produce "designer fish" for targeted markets. Further, we can control the fat concentration in muscle through selected feed and produce a low-fat or high-fat fish depending on the demands of the market. Cultured aquatic animals can be safer products for consumption than wild fish because they are raised in a defined environment, and pollutants can be eliminated. Wild fish can be exposed to environmental pollutants and retain those they encounter. .

NOAA defines aquaculture as the propagation and rearing of aquatic organisms in controlled or selected aquatic environments for any commercial, recreational, or public purpose. NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which is the leading agency on aquaculture. It has dedicated federal guidance and financial aid to states in order to develop aquaculture regulation, policy and physical systems.

There is an emerging trend to site new marine aquaculture facilities in open-ocean environments where they are submerged, out of sight, and out of reach of storms, coastal pollution, and shipping traffic.

Aquaculture serves two purposes, the first of which is to support commercial marine fisheries. Secondly, it is used to rebuild wild stock populations, a typical example being trout hatcheries used to restock rivers, ponds and streams.