Aquaculture, which is also referred to as farmed seafood, plays a crucial role in supporting seafood production, employment, the restoration of protected species and habitats, and the improvement of coastal resilience. Aquaculture encompasses activities such as breeding, nurturing, and harvesting various aquatic organisms including fish, shellfish, plants, and others. It aids in seafood production and contributes to the restoration of protected species and habitats. Aquaculture is practiced in coastal areas, oceans, as well as inland tanks and ponds across the United States.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization states that aquaculture, which is the farming of aquatic species, is an effective method for producing protein and has played a significant role in enhancing nutrition and food security in various parts of the globe. Currently, over half of the seafood consumed by humans is derived from aquaculture, and this percentage is expected to further increase. Global aquaculture practices encompass the farming of more than 500 different aquatic species.
In the US, aquaculture can be found in coastal areas, oceans, as well as in inland tanks and ponds. Across the globe, over 500 aquatic species are currently being cultivated.
Both multinational companies and farmers in developing countries, including some of the poorest, practice aquaculture.
Eating fish holds a traditional significance for many cultures, and it also boasts an exceptional nutritional profile, providing protein, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and essential micronutrients which contribute to its health benefits.
Aquatic plants, like seaweed, serve as a crucial resource for aquaculture due to their provision of nutrition, livelihood opportunities, and various significant industrial uses.
Animals low in the food chain, such as herbivorous fish and mollusks, contribute to eighty percent of the current aquaculture production.
Aquaculture is expected to be the primary source of future growth in the fisheries sector, considering its consistent catches from capture fisheries and the dynamic performance observed over the past 30 years.
What is aquaponics?
Aquaponics involves the organization of a comprehensive ecosystem comprising three primary groups of organisms, which are fish, plants, and bacteria.
Aquaponics integrates recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics into one system. An aquaponics system incorporates water from a fish tank as it cycles through filters and plant grow beds, which then cycles back to the fish.
In the process of aquaponics, fish waste, including ammonia, is eliminated from the water. This is accomplished by firstly employing a mechanical filter, which eliminates solid waste, followed by a biofilter that treats dissolved waste.
The biofilter serves as a facilitator for the process called nitrification, enabling bacteria to convert harmful ammonia into nitrate, which is a beneficial nutrient for plants. As the water, which is rich in nitrate and nutrients, flows through the plant grow beds, the plants absorb the nutrients. Ultimately, purified water is returned to the fish tank.
If the system is properly balanced, flora and fauna can thrive symbiotically and collaborate to form a closed biome for each other through this process.
Aquaponics diverts aquaculture waste from being released into the environment by directing it through plant beds. Additionally, the plants receive nutrients from a sustainable, cost-effective, and non-chemical source.
Top 5 Pros and Cons of Aquaponics
Pros of Aquaponics
When considering aquaponics, it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Factors like water efficiency play a significant role in the environmental and economic benefits of these systems, which are crucial for sustainable farming.
- Water-Efficiency
Aquaponics offers a major advantage in terms of water efficiency, as it uses significantly less water compared to traditional agriculture, potentially up to 10 times less. This is achieved through the recirculation system, which not only minimizes water wastage but also enables the recycling of other components like fish feed.
- Climate Adaptive
Many new technologies claim to be sustainable but are not truly resilient to climate change. With a rising global population and more concerns about food security, the significance of climate-adaptive farming methods has increased significantly. Aquaponics, which is a closed system with controlled conditions, is a genuinely climate-adaptive approach to cultivation. It enables producers to make energy-saving adjustments and easily implement techniques that can adapt to climate change, such as temperature fluctuations.
- Economically Viable
The long-term viability of sustainable agriculture depends on its economic incentives, rather than being a passing trend. Aquaponics is not only efficient, but it also generates profits. This industry is rapidly expanding and can be implemented in both small and large-scale operations. Although the initial setup expenses can be high, it is a valuable investment for farmers who can now sell two distinct crops with the same resources.
- Chemical Free
Similar to other hydroponics systems, pesticides are not necessary in aquaponics. In fact, the use of chemicals can harm the fish, which is why growers need to be cautious about maintaining water quality. By avoiding chemicals, not only are input costs reduced, but there are also various advantages for the environment and human health.
- Environmental Benefits
The most attractive features of aquaponics are its environmental benefits. In terms of water and power usage, aquaponics requires very minimal amounts. Since it operates as a closed system, there is no water pollution or waste. Moreover, aquaponics allows for higher crop production per square foot compared to traditional farming, making it essential in meeting the food demands of a growing population.
Cons of Aquaponics
Although there are numerous advantages associated with aquaponics, there are also certain drawbacks. The initial expenses of establishing aquaponics systems can be high, which might prevent some medium-scale producers from adopting commercial systems due to infrastructure requirements.
- Limited Crops
Aquaponics has the potential to accommodate various species of fish and different types of vegetables; however, the options for selection are restricted. Despite its compatibility with both fresh and saltwater species such as tilapia, carp, and bass, the choice of vegetables is confined to water-rich crops like cucumbers and leafy greens such as lettuce.
- Electricity Consumption
Aquaponics does not necessarily demand a vast amount of energy, although the energy needed is considerable. While utilizing renewable energy for an aquaponics system is a potential option, it is important to acknowledge that relying on electricity may be too expensive for certain growers.
- Set-Up Cost
The cost required to establish an aquaponics system initially poses a challenge for mid-sized growers who want a system larger than one for a home but smaller than a commercial scale. The expense of commercial operations varies, ranging from $25,000 to over $100,000, contingent upon the type of system utilized.
- Poor Resiliency
While aspects of an aquaponics system are extremely climate-adaptive, with low inputs and low water usage, other aspects make it a bit more tricky. The infrastructure and exact conditions that a healthy aquaponics system requires make it less resilient than soil-grown crops, which can often adapt to changing weather conditions and temperature changes. Aquaponics, on the other hand, may fail unexpectedly due to system issues or power outages, which would result in a complete crop loss.
- Infrastructure Requirements
Although aquaponics systems can be set up in various locations, such as densely populated urban areas, the installation of infrastructure can pose challenges. The presence of tanks and pumps, essential for biofiltration, and the inclusion of stocking units for fish and waste purification are vital. While such necessities may not impose a significant burden on commercial growers, they can be prohibitive for small-scale producers seeking to enhance food security.
