Exploring Environmental Sustainability through AQUACULTURE Dr. Julia Rankin Morandi The Science Collaborative, Inc.

What is Aquaculture? The reproduction and culture of aquatic organisms in a controlled or semi-controlled environment.

How Old is Aquaculture? Aquaculture began some 4000 years ago Aquaculture began some 4000 years ago Artificial hatching first practiced in China in 2000 BC. Artificial hatching first practiced in China in 2000 BC. Began in the US in the 1850’s with oysters and trout Began in the US in the 1850’s with oysters and trout

Aquaculture Systems Ponds Ponds Cages Cages Raceways Raceways Re-circulating systems Re-circulating systems

Production by Method

Fresh Water Ponds

Tilapia Nile Tilapia Red Tilapia Indoors in the U. S. Outdoors in Ecuador and Indonesia

Raceways

Rainbow Trout Raceways

Cages

Atlantic Salmon Cages

Recirculating Systems

Aquaponics Plants and Fish Together

Aquaponics Aquaponics uses no chemicals, requires one tenth of the water needed for field plant production and only a fraction of the water that is used for fish culture. (Aquaculture) This is truly a remarkable system, because it works so well. The fish actually supply nutrients to a bed of plants and plants clean up the water that the fish live in, making a mutually beneficial environment for both. The only external input to the system is food for the fish.

Sweet Water Organics, Inc. Milwaukee, WI Fish and Vegetable farm Local community (agrarians, artists, engineers, mechanics, educators, construction workers) transformed dilapidated industrial building into aquaponics demonstration project Able to raise 50, ,000 tilapia, perch & potted plants Self-sustaining means of organic food production and commercial income Encourages community entrepreneurship, innovation, self-reliance, education, charity, sustainability and healthy, frugal living.

Sweet Water Organics

Why Aquaculture?

- At current human population growth, an extra 35 million MT of food fish will be needed by 2030 just to maintain the current level of consumption. The Demand for Fish is Increasing

Build bigger, faster boats with longer ranges Developed new technologies to locate and aggregate the fish - GPS It is estimated that the “catching capacity” of the fleet has increased 4-8 X faster than actual catch rates. What We Have Done?

With leveling of capture fisheries and increased human population growth, aquaculture is one way to help meet an increasing demand for seafood.

Growth of Aquaculture 1950’s = 1 MMT 1950’s = 1 MMT 2004 = 59.4 MMT: 2004 = 59.4 MMT: –Valued at $70.3 billion USD

Aquaculture Production: Developed vs Developing countries

China’s and Asia’s Contribution

U. S. Balance of edible seafood trade in 2007 U. S. edible seafood exports in 2007: value = 4.0 billion dollars U. S. edible seafood imports in 2007: value = 13.7 billion dollars U. S. trade deficit in edible seafood = 9.7 billion dollars

Over 2,025,580 MT of farmed tilapia were harvest world-wide in China = 43% of world harvest U. S. tilapia Production 2005: 13,803 MT 135,000 metric tons of whole and filleted tilapia was imported into the U. S. in 2005

World aquaculture production in 2007 was valued at over $89 billion. World aquaculture production in 2007 was valued at over $89 billion. Globally, nearly half (47%) of all food fish consumed by humans comes from aquaculture. Globally, nearly half (47%) of all food fish consumed by humans comes from aquaculture.

US domestic aquaculture production is valued at ~$1 billion. US domestic aquaculture production is valued at ~$1 billion. The federal government has plans to double national aquaculture production by 2025 The federal government has plans to double national aquaculture production by 2025 However, government regulations have slowed this down However, government regulations have slowed this down Aquaculture in the United States

California has the largest ocean economy in the nation, a coast-line winding over 3000 miles, and diverse inland areas suitable for aquaculture California has the largest ocean economy in the nation, a coast-line winding over 3000 miles, and diverse inland areas suitable for aquaculture Aquaculture in California

California grows over 30 species of aquatic plants and animals valued at ~ $80M California grows over 30 species of aquatic plants and animals valued at ~ $80M In California there are ~ 190 aquaculture facilities, ~1/3 of these have sales of over $25,000. There has been relatively little expansion of the industry over the past decade In California there are ~ 190 aquaculture facilities, ~1/3 of these have sales of over $25,000. There has been relatively little expansion of the industry over the past decade

From , California’s living resources sector of the coastal economy lost 11% of its wages, 20% of its workforce and 28% of its gross sales product. From , California’s living resources sector of the coastal economy lost 11% of its wages, 20% of its workforce and 28% of its gross sales product. Aquaculture can revitalize coastal and inland communities through economic development. Aquaculture can revitalize coastal and inland communities through economic development. Aquaculture can help restore and maintain aquatic communities through providing “ecosystem services”. Aquaculture can help restore and maintain aquatic communities through providing “ecosystem services”.

Hubbs Sea World Research Institute HSW-RI "We are currently importing over 80 percent of our seafood," said Don Kent, the institute's president and a marine biologist. "There's no reason why the U.S. shouldn't be employing our own people to make our own food."

Yellow Tail & Sea Bass The goal is to produce as much as 6 million pounds of fish annually, three times the amount of seafood currently brought to the docks by commercial fishermen in San Diego County

“With Earth’s burgeoning human populations to feed we must turn to the sea with new understanding and new technology. We must farm it as we farm the land.” Jacques Cousteau 1973 Jacques Cousteau 1973