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BRITISH AQUAPONIC ASSOCIATION CIC SUSTAINABLE FOOD FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
BRITISH AQUAPONIC ASSOCIATION CIC SUSTAINABLE FOOD FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
WHAT IS AQUAPONICS ?
• A sustainable form of food production in which plants and fish are grown together in a closed, constructed system for their eventual consumption.
• Aquaculture + hydroponics = Aquaponics
• Utilizes the natural waste from aquaculture and combines the filtration properties of hydroponics.
HISTORIC OVERVIEW
• Cyclical processes can be observed naturally in rivers and lakes
• Aquaponics first observed in China, 1500 years ago
• 70’s / 80’s aquaponics was transformed into a viable food production system attracting both commercial and backyard growers (tropical climate).
• Recent interest in more temperate climates due to research and improvements in technology.
BENEFITS OF AQUAPONICS • Intensive
• No artificial inputs – ‘Organic’
• Non Soil based
• It is sustainable e.g. uses 10% of the water required conventional agri.
• It requires minimal labour
• It is cost-effective
• It can be grown anywhere; Urban / Rural; Indoors / Outdoors
• Inclusive and accessible
• Social, economic and environmental benefits
3 BASIC TECHNIQUES
1. Deepwater culture
2. Growbed
3. Nutrient Flow Techneque
BRITISH AQUAPONIC ASSOCIATION (BAQUA)
• Formed 2012
• Community Interest Company (CIC)
• BAQUA is a non-profit organisation
• Representative body in the UK to unite and connect all people working to promote and develop aquaponics in the UK
• Voluntary organisation at present ( currently seeking funding to support its aims ).
BAQUA AIMS
1. Promote and facilitate the aquaponic production of sustainable edible plants and fish.
(Commercial, hobby and social)
2. Act as one single voice to improve food security, the efficient use of land (urban and rural)
and sustainable food production.
3. Drive the integration of aquaponics with the wider socio-economic agenda.
4. Support, widen and strengthen the network associated with aquaponics.
5. Raise awareness and educate the benefits of aquaponics in the UK.
BAQUA OBJECTIVES • Establish and facilitate a Research and Standards Committee. Ensure free
distribution of information
• Continue to build a UK aquaponic community. i.e National & international networking, advice and guidance under one strong umbrella.
• Create and operate a Aquaponic City Farm in Herefordshire that benefits repeat offenders and disabled people, thereby creating a template for further expansion.
HEREFORD CITY AQUAPONICS PROJECT • Based local with significant community involvement
• Management of offenders • Education • Local health agenda • Utilisation of urban waste land / buildings
• System Design • Four fish rearing tanks, 7.8 m3 each • Six hydroponic tanks, 11.3 m3 each • Land area, 0.05 ha
• Producing :
• 900kgs Tilapia / year
• 50,000 heads of leaf lettuce / year
