Aquaponics is a sustainable / closed circuit way of growing fresh vegetables, herbs and fish together symbiotically. It combines two technologies; aquaculture and hydroponics, into one ongoing eco-system.

Similar to Aztec chinampas, which were man-made floating islands used to grow plants using the nutrient-rich river water, the idea is to use a by-product from fish, as an ongoing, renewable resource for growing food.

How it works:

The nitrogen-cycle is the key element in aquaponics.

You keep edible fish e.g Tilapia, trout or ornamental fish such as goldfish in a tank.

Their waste (ammonia) is converted by nitrifying bacteria into a nutrient-rich solution, ideal for plants (N, P, K are the key components of plant fertilisers).

The plants, in their water-based grow-bed, absorb this food through their roots, and in doing so, clean the water, which is then returned back to the fish and so the cycle repeats again! This self-cleaning fish tank effect is known as a ‘closed-loop’ system and can require as little as 2% of the water used in traditional soil-based farming.

Could it be part of the answer to food security issues?

It is recommended we eat two portions of fish a week and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy, balanced diet. But with fuel and food prices rising, a lot of us can’t afford organic, non-GMO fruit and veg, nor responsibly sourced fish, so aquaponics can provide a source of pesticide-free vitamins, minerals and protein- locally and sustainably. There are no food miles, no wild fish stocks being depleted and no fish species being introduced into sea lochs or offshore pens.

Overfishing globally has had a major impact on marine ecosystems. Demand in China and India has outstripped the possible supply by such a margin globally that almost half the fish consumed is produced / farmed in aquaculture. Aquaponics takes this a step further, as there are numerous environmental issues associated with aquaculture – mostly dependant on where the fish farms are sited, what they are fed and how much waste is produced. High commercial aquaculture stocking densities mean disease and parasites, as well as escapes, are commonplace.

One of the best bits about aquaponics, in contrast to fish, is that it deals with the issue of waste products, which standard aquaculture often does not.

Community aquaponics schemes could be a fun, community building way of approaching this aspect of transition to low carbon, low waste, low water, local food. It’s not only educational and enjoyable for all ages, but importantly it puts us back in touch with what we eat. Aquaponics can be set up both indoors and outdoors ranging from a windowsill size, right up to an off-grid farm.

If you’d like to learn more, Aquaponic Life are a not-for-profit company who are running ‘Introduction to Aquaponics’ and ‘DIY Aquaponics’ courses in East Sussex, they aim to help inspire communities to reconnect with the nature of food and become more self-sufficient.

Contact Neil or Emerald at Aquaopnic_life@icloud.com