Interesting Challenge... moving the research community to "support" the local community!

[Amy D Crawford]

Got back from the 8th annual engineering conference on Aquaculture, Roanoke, VA.

I was impressed by two things:

1) how much they have accomplished in the high density production of fish, and

2) how hard they are working to solve the very problems that aquaponics solves so well.

Research papers presented and attended by engineers from 23 countries!

They are investing an enormous amount of time, money, and energy (literally, electrical energy) to produce tonnes of fish. Most of the major issues, DO (dissolved oxygen), waste products, water treatment can be managed effectively with aquaponics but not at the tonnage that they are trying to achieve.

Most of the papers presented were on the order of how to solve those problems within a high density aquaculture setting; raising fish in isolation.

One of the newest research topics: bio-floc... feeding fish from the microorganisms that grow in the system. The concern is that the cost of "fish meal" is sky rocketing (not so much the fact that the oceans are being stripped to feed the aqua-cultured fish), with wheat & soybean to follow.

excerpted definition: Bio-floc farming encourages a bacterial community in the pond or raceway. Once established and maintained, bacteria-dominated ponds or raceways are more stable than algae-dominated ponds. The bacteria accumulate in clumps called flocs, more about flocs in a moment, and gobble up the nitrogenous wastes ten to a hundred times more efficiently than algae, they work night and day, pay little attention to the weather—and turn those nitrogenous wastes into high-protein feed for the shrimp.Bio-flocs consist of variety of bacteria, funghi, microalgae, and other organisms suspend with detritus in culture water. Flocs treat and bio convert both dissolved and particulate wastes into microbial biomass. Flocs play roles in water treatment and natural food production, reducing feed and disposal waste costs.

But why the high density? why that approach?

The majority of funding, of course, comes from the "industial" corporations at the university research centers. Think CAFO ... i.e. confined animal feeding operations... feed lots (cattle, hog, chicken, etc) that can maximize profits on the smallest footprint.

I saw some stunning results... tanks full of atlantic salmon, 8 lbs each, at least... in pristine water, with an annual tonnage of 50, being projected, for delivery. Incredibly dependent on very, very high energy input, O2 injectors (cost of the O2), fed by the ocean "junk" fish, wheat, and corn currently. With the bio-floc development the dependence on ocean fishmeal can be reduced.

BioFloc, at this point, is filtered, drawn off, dried, pelleted, and fed back to the fish (again, a very high energy intense process).So most of the research is done which will support the current industry model as they are providing the grant money.

When asked what our interest was (my husband & I) many conference attendees were fascinated by the idea of including grow-beds to round out a fish growth system! Explaining that we are developing a sustainable farm with grass fed beef, heritage pork, dairy cows, and free range poultry... and would like to add fish, as well as hydroponic grow-beds, in addition to our organic gardens, for our local market.

Our interest is to develop a system that could work in small communities with minimal energy and water use. It did not have to produce tonnage... just enough for a local food market (i.e. the 100 mile diet). We were repeatedly asked to have information forwarded to them. Many of these requestors where PhD's, MD, and industry experts!

The challenge I think, is to develop the documentation, collect the data, and then present it as a very viable alternative for the niche market/local sustainability.

Anyone have thoughts on this subject???? Seems to me that this education facilities are built with tax paper money and the research that is being done there, should also benefit the "layman". I think for some of these guys, if there was a request, they would be more than happy to "work" on a project that has a broader base in a less centralized system.

AmyD

1 hr N of San Francisco

This conference is held every two years...

[Carl Smith]

This disconnect is common for the big business industrial model in just about everything. Because of the ability now to centralize data the distributed or multi node model is becoming more effective and efficient for production.
The new objective is how do I most efficiently produce just 1 as needed instead of thousands for inventory.
The future is in the distributed nodes of low cost production nearest the point of purchase especially in the area of food quality and food security. Imagine how small the impact of the current egg situation if everyone purchased eggs produced within 100 miles of home.

[Sylvia Bernstein]

wow, Amy. This is a very powerful blog post. You are pointing out a frightening disconnect between our industrial food providers and what some of us know to be both the best solution for the planet and for our bodies...or shall I say yet another frightening disconnect. Please let me know what I can do to help you in what sounds to be the beginnings of a worthy crusade. In the short run I will do what I can to bring attention to your post!