Aquaponics is IMTA (Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture)

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

There is a growing field of sustainable aquaculture called IMTA (Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture). To use the Wikipedia description which is actually reasonably accurate: 

"Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) provides the by-products, including waste, from one aquatic species as inputs (fertilizers, food) for another. Farmers combine fed aquaculture (e.g., fish, shrimp) with inorganic extractive (e.g., seaweed) and organic extractive (e.g., shellfish) aquaculture to create balanced systems for environment remediation (biomitigation), economic stability (improved output, lower cost, product diversification and risk reduction) and social acceptability (better management practices).^[1]

Selecting appropriate species and sizing the various populations to provide necessary ecosystem functions allows the biological and chemical processes involved to achieve a stable balance, mutually benefiting the organisms and improving ecosystem health.

Ideally, the co-cultured species each yield valuable commercial "crops".^[2] IMTA can synergistically increase total output, even if some of the crops yield less than they would, short-term, in a monoculture.^[3]"

To me this describes Aquaponics perfectly, yet the discipline is not fully recognized as such. What is your opinion?

Here are a couple of links for your review:

Wikipedia Link: http://bit.ly/Xusrb3

2010 White Paper on IMTA: http://bit.ly/XutFmE

I look forward to your comments.

[George]

I first read of it in the book Four Fish.  

There is potentially no waste in an aquaponics system, when excess or scrap vegetation is fed to soldier flies or worms, which are fed to fish.  Castings from that process are another valuable product.  Sustainable means there are no waste products, only resources.  Increasing production by synergy is interesting to think about.  I went on a slug hunt last night and dropped a few into the fish tank.  The system predators turned into an input.  The pests sometime become a permanent part of the system.