Aquaponics combines the concept of soil-less growing of plants (hydroponics) in a looped system with aquaculture, which involves raising either fresh or saltwater fish in various aquatic environments under controlled conditions. The combination of the two practices takes advantage of the natural food chain to create a symbiotic system with a shared water supply that contributes to the health and growth of both elements. Generally, fish are fed a quality organic food, high in nutrients. They generate waste, which is broken down into nutrients used by the plants. The plants provide oxygen and maintain optimal water quality for the fish.
In today’s world, agricultural products are usually concentrated in one particular region: cotton in the south, wheat and corn in the midwest, and potatoes in Idaho. With the ascendance of industrial farming focused on efficiency and production, small local farms have been wiped out and the food you buy has generally traveled over 2000 miles to reach your plate, suffering nutrition loss and contributing up to 17 times more carbon emissions than locally produced food. Aquaponics is envisioned to correct many of these problems. Locally produced produce and fish can provide fresh and highly nutritious food while generating far less environmental damage. Aquaponics farms can produce significantly more food and use significantly less water than traditional agriculture, and can be sited in unused spaces like vacant lots, unused warehouses, or even on rooftops. The advantages of food grown through a system like this include that it is 100% pesticide free, it reduces or eliminates pressure on wild fish populations, and it provides critical resiliency from potential disruptions in the food distribution network that could lead to shortages.
