How aquaponics can improve aquaculture and help feed a hungry world.

181 Pages·2017·8.48 MB·English

Master‘s thesis

How aquaponics can improve aquaculture
and help feed a hungry world.

Iona Flett

Advisor: Rannveig Björnsdóttir

University of Akureyri
Faculty of Business and Science
University Centre of the Westfjords
Master of Resource Management: Coastal and Marine Management
Ísafjörður, May 2017

Supervisory Committee

Advisor:
Dr Rannveig Björnsdóttir

Reader:
Name, title

Program Director:
Dr Catherine Chambers

Iona Flett
How aquaponics can improve aquaculture and help feed a hungry world.
45 ECTS thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of a Master of Resource Management
degree in Coastal and Marine Management at the University Centre of the Westfjords,
Suðurgata 12, 400 Ísafjörður, Iceland
Degree accredited by the University of Akureyri, Faculty of Business and Science,
Borgir, 600 Akureyri, Iceland

Copyright © 2017 Iona Flett
All rights reserved

Printing: University Centre of the Westfjords and/or Printer, town, Month YEAR
Declaration

I hereby confirm that I am the sole author of this thesis and it is a product of my own
academic research.

__________________________________________
Iona Flett

Abstract
Aquaponics is the practice of combining aquaculture with hydroponics. This methodology
not only improves the water quality of aquaculture effluent, but also maximises the use of
the resources involved in fish and vegetable production. Aquaponics, and the related model
of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture, are still at relatively early stages of research and
development, but they have great potential to improve the way that aquaculture is managed,
to increase the value of aquaculture businesses, and to increase the amount of sustainably
produced food available for human consumption.
This thesis explores the idea that aquaponics is a viable and important production strategy
because its design is based on the interconnectedness of an ecosystem; this is the principle
of agroecology, which some say is vital for the future of agriculture.
Part of the project is a case study of an Icelandic aquaculture company, Matorka, whose
directors were interested in re-designing their production system to incorporate aquaponics
principles and increase the amount and variety of marketable produce. A trial was conducted
in collaboration with the company, to grow edible plants using the aquaculture effluent, and
scientifically analyse the nutrient content of the water in different parts of the system. The
results of the trial may be used by Matorka to help improve the sustainability of their business
in the future.
The discussion in this thesis uses the results of the trial and other literature to demonstrate
that aquaponics has the potential to improve aquaculture, advance ecosystem-based coastal
management and contribute to international sustainable development goals.

Table of Contents
LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................................................... XI
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ XIII
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................................ XIV
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 15
1.1 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................................... 15
1.2 RESEARCH AIMS ..................................................................................................................................... 17
1.3 ECOSYSTEM BASED MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................ 19
1.4 AGROECOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................... 20
1.5 AQUAPONICS ........................................................................................................................................ 21
1.6 RESEARCH OUTPUTS AND THESIS STRUCTURE ............................................................................................... 22
2 RESEARCH METHODS ....................................................................................................................... 25
2.1 TECHNICAL LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................ 25
2.1.1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 25
2.1.2 Limitations and problems ........................................................................................................ 26
2.2 SURVEY ................................................................................................................................................ 26
2.2.1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 26
2.2.2 Survey method ......................................................................................................................... 27
2.2.3 Limitations and problems ........................................................................................................ 28
2.3 MATORKA AQUAPONICS TRIAL .................................................................................................................. 29
2.3.1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 29
2.3.2 Experimental and analytical methods ..................................................................................... 31
2.3.3 Limitations and problems ........................................................................................................ 47
2.4 SWOT ANALYSIS.................................................................................................................................... 49
2.4.1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 49
2.4.2 Method .................................................................................................................................... 49
2.4.3 Limitations and problems ........................................................................................................ 49
3 RESULTS ........................................................................................................................................... 51
3.1 TECHNICAL LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................ 51
3.1.1 The theoretical system ............................................................................................................. 51
3.1.2 Types of systems ...................................................................................................................... 52
3.1.3 Hydroponics techniques ........................................................................................................... 55
3.1.4 Water chemistry ...................................................................................................................... 57
3.1.5 Filtration .................................................................................................................................. 61
3.1.6 Fish ........................................................................................................................................... 61
3.1.7 Fish feed ................................................................................................................................... 63
3.1.8 Food safety .............................................................................................................................. 64
3.1.9 Plants ....................................................................................................................................... 66
3.1.10 Pests .................................................................................................................................... 70
3.1.11 Energy ................................................................................................................................. 71
3.1.12 Technology .......................................................................................................................... 73
3.1.13 Advice, guidance, and the internet ..................................................................................... 74
3.2 SURVEY RESULTS .................................................................................................................................... 75
3.3 MATORKA AQUAPONICS TRIAL RESULTS ...................................................................................................... 80
3.3.1 Plant growth characteristics .................................................................................................... 80
3.3.2 Nutrient and water analysis .................................................................................................... 85
3.3.3 Microalgae growth .................................................................................................................. 92
ix
4 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................................... 95
4.1 DISCUSSION OF MATORKA RESULTS ............................................................................................................ 95
4.1.1 Characterising the Matorka effluent ........................................................................................ 95
4.1.2 Growth under different conditions ........................................................................................... 96
4.1.3 Efficacy of nutrient removal ................................................................................................... 100
4.1.4 Developing aquaponics at a commercial scale in southern Iceland ....................................... 102
4.2 AQUAPONICS STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES ........................................................................................... 107
4.2.1 Resource efficiency ................................................................................................................. 108
4.2.2 Making money ........................................................................................................................ 109
4.2.3 Industrial food production has issues ..................................................................................... 111
4.2.4 Consumer choice .................................................................................................................... 112
4.2.5 Aquaponics for everyone ........................................................................................................ 112
4.3 WEAKNESSES AND THREATS .................................................................................................................... 116
4.3.1 Know-how .............................................................................................................................. 117
4.3.2 Time and effort ....................................................................................................................... 117
4.3.3 Costs and risks ........................................................................................................................ 118
4.3.4 Regulation .............................................................................................................................. 118
4.3.5 Unscrupulous salesmen .......................................................................................................... 119
4.4 AQUAPONICS AS AGROECOLOGY .............................................................................................................. 121
4.4.1 Fish ......................................................................................................................................... 124
4.4.2 Plants ...................................................................................................................................... 126
4.4.3 Nutrient and energy flows ...................................................................................................... 126
4.4.4 External elements ................................................................................................................... 127
4.5 IMPROVING AQUACULTURE ..................................................................................................................... 129
4.6 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................... 131
4.7 STRATEGIC PLANNING ............................................................................................................................ 134
4.7.1 Strategies ............................................................................................................................... 138
5 RESEARCH SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... 141
5.1 MAIN FINDINGS .................................................................................................................................... 141
5.2 POTENTIAL IMPACTS .............................................................................................................................. 144
5.3 LIMITATIONS AND WEAKNESSES ............................................................................................................... 145
5.4 FURTHER RESEARCH .............................................................................................................................. 145
6 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................... 147
7 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................... 157
APPENDIX A – SURVEY DETAILS ......................................................................................................................... 157
APPENDIX B – SURVEY RESPONSES ..................................................................................................................... 159
APPENDIX C – COMPLETE EXPERIMENT RESULTS ................................................................................................... 164
APPENDIX D – 2030 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS RELATING TO FOOD, AGRICULTURE, COASTS AND OCEANS. ......... 174
APPENDIX E – POSTER FOR GEORG MEETING, 2012 ........................................................................................... 179

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