8/8/2019 Interest Rises In Back-Yard Aquaculture

1/2

,I

Back-yard aquaculture refers to growout systems that arelarger than home aquariums but less than about 0.4 ha in area.These systems are usually modeled after larger commercial growout systems. There is no limit to the variety of designs availablefor back-yard systems. They range from something as simple as asmall stand-alone tank to very complex automated systems usingsophisticated water treatment equipment.System Types, Species

Back-yard aquaculture can be generally classed according tothe water temperature. Coldwater aquaculture requires watertemperatures of 10 to 21 0 C with the optimum temperaturebetlveen 12 and 1r c. Th e most popular species of fish grownin coldwater back-yard systems are t rout an d salmon.

Warmwater aquaculture requires water temperatures betlveen18 and 32 C with the optimum temperature betlveen 27 and 30C. The most popular species of fish grown in these conditionsare bass, sunfish, catfish, tilapia and carp. Additional species canbe considered in varied parts of the world.

Climatic conditions, geographic location and environmentalfactors must be considered when selecting the best species of fishfor back-yard aquaculture. Tilapia, one of the easiest fish speciesto raise, is growing in popularity around the globe where climaticconditions and water temperature are right.

Tilapia can tolerate variable water quality, including fairlylow dissolved-oxygen levels. In addition, tilapia grow relativelyquickly on a low-protein diet and readily breed in captivity. Theyare fairly easy to handle and are widely accepted as food fIsh. In

global aquaculture advocate September/October 2009 87

the downturn in the global economy, many newbecoming interested in back-yard aquaculThe level of sophistication required varies

can range from simple stand-alone tanksthat require complex filtration, aeration andequipment. Aquaponics, the combination of

and hydroponics, is also of growing interest.

, ... .. .

back-yard systems are rather complex and use a recirculating setup with fliters, aerators and other equipment.

\

Rises In Back-Yard AquacultureRangeFrom Simple Organic Setups To ComplexAquaponics

-scale growout of fish in an aquarium, small pond or

e demonstrated a renewed attention to growingThere appears to be a

so by raising

8/8/2019 Interest Rises In Back-Yard Aquaculture

2/2

AquaponicsAn increasingly popular type of back-yard aquaculture is

aquaponics, a combination of aquaculture and hydroponicsfor the production of both aquatic animals and plants. In aquaponics, the water is cycled from the fish tank into trays or bedsholding plants. The plants utilize the nutrients in the water, andthe "treated" water is returned again to the fish tank.

Greenhouse aquaponics can be fairly complicated, requiring ahigh level of management and equipment. Many of these backyard aquaponics systems use a recirculating setup. These systemsinclude additional equ ipment like filters or clarifiers to removesolids, degassing columns, aeration systems and dosing systemsthat add chemicals required by the plants.

Some back-yard aquaponics systems are very simple but canstill be very productive. Th e goal of many of these producers isorganic food production. They desire an efficient system thatuses little power while producing both fish and vegetables to eat.Because fish are living in the water, aquaponics systems are typically organic, and no herbicides, insecticides or fungicides areused.Aquaponics combines aquaculture and hydroponics These systems can combine a variety of plants and fishfor the production of both aquatic animals and plants. depending on location and conditions. Tilapia, trout, catfish orhybrid striped bass can be grown wi th vegetables such as tomatoes,lettuce, cabbage, beans, basil, peppers and cucumbers.

some areas, tilapia are preserved by drying or salting, and may besmoked or pickled. Additional ConsiderationsBack-yard aquaculture systems require special permits inSystem Components some locations. It is the owners' responsibility to become familMost back-yard aquaculture projects use recirculating sys iar with local and national laws regarding home aquaculture systems, although other systems have been developed for growout tems and determine if permits and/or registration are required.in cages, raceways and ponds. Some of the more popular water They should consider laws regarding water sources, water usecontainment approaches include aquariums, lined and unlined and wastewater discharge; permits required to hold, produce andponds, barrels, swimming pools, water troughs, and steel or sell fish; and laws regarding the location of back-yard aquaculfiberglass tanks. Water depths are usually about 0.75 to 1.00 m, ture facilities.although shallower tanks can also be used. -----Because fish spend all of their lives in water, it is very impor

tant to maintain good water quality. If the water is not treated, An increasingly popular type ofback-yardvery little production may be expected. Aeration and filtrationare required for increased production. Beginners often start with aquaculture is aquaponics, a combinationlower densities of fish and increase production as they gain con of aquaculture and hydroponicsfidence in their systems and equipment. It is also a good idea to for the production ofboth aquatichave emergency back-up systems to insure that aerators andpumps run during blackouts. animals and plants.\ \ ~ . , WOODHOUSE SHANAHAN P.A. \ ~ ~ / /

\ '. \ A Florida Professional Service Corporation .// /Attorneys-at-Law

Philadelphia, PA Haddonfield, NJ Washington, DC Gainesville, FL Legal Counsel to tbe Seafood, Aquaculture, Produce, and Floral Products IndustriesUSFDA, USDA, US Customs (CBP), HACCP, PACA, CITES, and National Organic Regulatory Compliance

Food Label Compliance Review for US, Canada, and tbe European UnionCivil Litigation, Administrative Law, and Criminal Defense in Food Industry Regulatory MattersBorrower's Counsel for Aquaculture and Agribusiness Trade and Project FinanceCharles F. Woodhouse, Esq. *

224 N. E. 10th Ave. Gainesville, FL 32601 Tel (352) 371-0101910 17th St., N.W. - Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006 Tel (202) 293-0033FAX Central (202) 478-0851* Admitted to the Practice of Law at the Bars of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the State of Florida

* Admitted to the Ba r of the United States Court of International Trade in the City of New York* Admitted to the Ba r of the United States Conrt of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ill Washington, DC

E-mail cfwoodhouse@woodhouselaw.comHablamos Espafiol www.seafood-and-produce-law.com Falamos Portugues

1999-2009 TEN YEARS OF SERVICE TO TH E SEAFOOD AND PRODUCE INDUSTRIES88 September/October 2009 global aquaculture advocate