Aquaculture is the managed production of aquatic organisms under controlled environmental conditions. It is the fastest-growing segment of agriculture in North Carolina, the United States and throughout the world. NC Aquaculture activities fall under the NC Department of Agriculture.

Aquaculture or mariculture (saltwater aquaculture) involves the practice of commercial production of seafood for consumers.

It also involves the sciences of natural resource management and enhancement, specimen collection methods, aquarium technology, facility construction and maintenance, and biotechnology production from marine organisms.

Carteret Community College emphasizes applied marine sciences and mariculture. Lecture courses are offered in the traditional classroom and online with the use of Blackboard (Internet portal with rich media content to enhance comprehension). The focus of the program is on salt-water species like oysters, clams and marine finfish like flounder, drum and bait minnows but freshwater species are also covered.