1. Aquaponics and the Desert Agriculture Research Initiative
Kevin Fitzsimmons University of Arizona, Professor
World Aquaculture Society, Past-President
American Tilapia Association, Sec./Tres.
Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, 25 October, 2011

2. Trends in food markets Demand for more locally grown, organic foods
Increasing demand for vegetables and fish for health reasons
Need to increase economic and environmental efficiency (energy, water, land area, recycling of nutrients)

3. Need new model for food production
Green Revolution – huge increase in food production, but heavy reliance on irrigation, fuel and fertilizer
Blue Revolution – more than 50% of all seafood is now farm raised, but many environmental impacts (effluents causing eutrophication, algae blooms, cage and raft conflicts with other users in oceans, bays and lakes)

4. Aquaponics Projects The Land Pavilion – Disney World, Florida
Biosphere 2 – Tucson, Arizona
High school education
Mexico systems
Jeddah salt water system
Commercialization

5. Disney World – EPCOT – The Land
University of Arizona provided technical design, layout, training of staff, and 10 years of updates.
Selected hydroponics and aquaculture as two critical food production systems for the future.

6. Disney World – EPCOT – The Land
30,000 guests a day learn about hydroponics, aquaculture, tilapia, and advanced farming techniques
Products are served in the Good Turn Restaurant

7. Development trials for Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 – A one hectare greenhouse. Completely sealed, with eight people living inside for two years.

8. Early trials for Biosphere 2
University of Arizona provided overall technical support and designed the food system.
Intensive food production
Healthy foods with minimal need for external inputs
Replicated trials with tilapia and lettuce

9. Various growing techniques
Growing in floating boards
Growing in gravel/biofilter

10. Density and micronutrient trials
Low density of fish
High density of fish

11. Nutrient film technique
Growing in troughs/gutters with flowing water

12. Nutrient film technique
Flood and drain version in troughs/gutters

13. Fish and grain crops
Tilapia and barley
Nutrient dynamics in recirc
Low density mid density high density
Determined that integrated fish and irrigated crops were most efficient food production system for Biosphere 2

14. Educational systems in high schools
Fish instead of traditional farm animals
Hydroponic vegetables and ornamental flowers

15. Aquaponics in Mexico
Building fish tanks
Building aquaponic beds

16. Aquaponics in Mexico
Planting peppers
Stocking fish

17. Aquaponics in Mexico
Harvesting peppers
Harvesting fish

18. Jeddah Fish Farming Center Fish, Shrimp and Seaweeds Gracilaria and Ulva

21. Tilapia and lettuce Arizona

22. Tilapia & lettuces & freshwater shrimp
Effluent from fish and shrimp fertilizes plants, plants absorb nutrients, bacteria provide additional water treatment
Commercial sponsors, three Tucson high schools with similar systems, several back yard producers testing systems.

23. Data collection and analysis
Light measurements (PAR)
Computer monitoring

24. Data and video live on Internet

26. What’s needed next? Determine water and nutrient parameters
Determine temperature regimes
Settle on aquaculture hardware
Train production staff and semi-skilled farming staff