Aquaponics and nature conservation

[Vincent Joris]

I am watching a documentary on nature conservation initiatives (Non Gov organizations, national parks, "hotspots"...) and one comment strikes me as particularly relevant to our community: nature conservation as it is currently conceived does not take into account the social impact of having to move populations or asking them to modifiy their ancestral survival techniques.  Take South Africa, where national parks are artificial oases protected by electric fences, out of which all traces of human occupation have been removed (populations forcefully exiled).  Many other examples can be found, where the balance between man and biodiversity is a nightmare to preserve.

A very large number of traditional agricultures are based on burnt clearing.  This technique takes a heavy toll on wildlife, and is not reliable for sustaining populations, as the output is heavily dependent on skill and environmental factors.

That is where aquaponics can come to the help of local populations, and local biodiversity.

But aquaponics is still in its teenage stage, it is not considered a globally applicable technology yet.

I think we have a responsibility, beyond the basic enjoyment of taking part in the development of a new experience.  We have to be assertive about the future of aquaponics, which is to be the new way of raising crops for subsistence, and which has to encroach on the sacred domain of extensive agriculture.  If we are not militant enough to impose aquaponics as a key player in the preservation of our world and of our fellow humans' welfare, we will not achieve anything but short lived enjoyment.

 

[Sander Tel]

Aquaponics is coming of age I am sure...It is time for those in needing in regard to food security to act now and embrace Aquaponics. Ready or not, Aquaponics is the argricultural way forward...