Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic plants. It involves cultivating these populations under controlled conditions. Aquaculture can take place in both freshwater and saltwater environments. It is considered a form of agriculture for aquatic species. Globally, aquaculture production supplies about one third of all fish for human consumption and its growth rate has averaged 8% annually for over 30 years. China is the world's largest aquaculture producer, accounting for 70% of global production in 2005.