Professional Documents
Culture Documents
This report is a joint project of the Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch.
Copyright © September 2009 by Food & Water Watch. All rights reserved. This report can be viewed or downloaded at
www.foodandwaterwatch.org.
Land-Based Recirculating
Aquaculture Systems
a more sustainable approach to aquaculture
Table of Contents
iv Executive Summary
1 Introduction
1 What Is RAS?
3 Why RAS Can Be an Important Fish Production Method for the United States
4 RAS Factors
10 Future Improvements
13 Conclusion
14 Endnotes
Executive Summary
This report, Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, provides an introduction to Recirculating Aquaculture
Systems (RAS). RAS are closed-loop fish farming facilities that retain and treat water within the systems. This form
of land-based aquaculture is quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture
Systems addresses why RAS could be an important method of producing more fish for the United States; highlights
research, development and technical innovations in RAS; and discusses concerns and recommendations for the
future of these systems. Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems also provides commercial case studies of
existing successful RAS operations in the United States.
Consumer demand for cleaner, greener, safer seafood is on the rise. Many popular fish, like tuna, cod and certain
snapper are depleted in the wild from many years of poor management, overfishing and other ecological problems
like pollution and damage to key habitat areas. There is a need to supplement wild-caught fish to meet consumer
demand for seafood. One method to produce more fish is known broadly as aquaculture — the rearing of aquatic
animals in captivity. Aquaculture is also often called “fish farming,” as it can be likened to the farming of other food
animals, like chickens, pigs and cattle. Aquaculture is increasing worldwide; between 2004 and 2006 the annual
growth rate of this industry was 6.1 percent in volume and 11 percent in value.
Widespread open-water fish farming methods, such as coastal ponds and open-ocean aquaculture (OOA), can seri-
ously damage marine ecosystems and are far from providing the safe and sustainable seafood many consumers want.
In particular, OOA — the mass production of fish in huge floating net pens or cages in open ocean waters — raises
concerns about consumer safety, pollution of the marine environment and conflicts with other ocean uses.
Fortunately, RAS can likely provide a cleaner, greener, safer alternative to open-water farms that does not compete
with other ocean uses. These systems are usually land-based and reuse virtually all of the water initially put into the
system. As a result, RAS can reduce the discharge of waste and the need for antibiotics or chemicals used to combat
disease and fish and parasite escapes — all serious concerns raised with open-water aquaculture.
RAS provide a diversity of production options. Tilapia, catfish, black seabass, salmon, shrimp, clams and oysters are
just a few examples of what can be raised in these systems. RAS can also be operated in tandem with aquaponics —
the practice of growing plants using water rather than soil — to produce a variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables such
as basil, okra, lettuce, tomatoes and melons. RAS range from small-scale urban aquaculture systems in individual
homes to larger, commercial-scale farms that can produce fish and produce equaling millions of dollars in sales each
year.
Currently, research and development is being conducted at academic, government and business facilities across the
country to continuously improve the techniques and methods used in RAS. With innovations in waste management
systems, fish feeds and energy usage, RAS has the potential to be a truly safe and sustainable aquaculture industry.
In recent years, the U.S. government has been shockingly insistent that development of open-water aquaculture,
in particular ocean aquaculture, is the best way to have an increased seafood supply in the United States. Given the
many ecological concerns associated with OOA, rather, the United States should be looking to explore more sus-
tainable fish production, such as RAS. This report challenges natural resource managers and consumers to be more
active in helping to promote a cleaner, greener, safer domestic seafood supply by learning more about RAS and re-
questing grocery stores and restaurants carry RAS products rather than those from open-water aquaculture systems.
Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch
Introduction
C onsumer demand for cleaner, greener, safer seafood is on the rise. Popular species
of wild fish are depleted,1 leaving many people looking to aquaculture to help meet
the demand for seafood. Aquaculture production — the rearing of aquatic plants and
animals in captivity — is increasing worldwide; between 2004 and 2006 the annual
growth rate was 6.1 percent in volume and 11 percent in value.2 There are many forms
of aquaculture; recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), coastal ponds and open-
water net pens are a few major types. Open-water aquaculture systems are, as they
sound, open to air and water, and can therefore have a risk of air- or water-borne
contaminants.3 RAS are closed, controlled, bio-secure systems that retain and treat
water within the system, reducing the risk of contamination from air- and water-borne
contaminants.
What Is RAS?
Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are closed- Various methods can be used to clean the water from the
loop facilities that retain and treat the water within the fish tanks and make it reusable. Some RAS fish farms
system. The water in RAS flows from a fish tank through incorporate aquaponics — the practice of growing herbs
a treatment process and is then returned to the tank, and vegetables in water — into their system. Plants need
hence the term recirculating aquaculture systems.4 RAS 13 elements to grow; the wastewater from the fish tanks
can be designed to be very environmentally sustainable, naturally provides 10 of these elements.7 The plants
using 90-99 percent less water than other aquaculture thrive in the nutrient-rich system water, and they actu-
systems.5 RAS can reduce the discharge of waste, the ally help to purify it for reuse — the plants absorb the
need for antibiotics or chemicals used to combat disease, nutrients and the “cleaned” water can go back to the fish
and fish and parasite escapes. RAS have been under tanks!
development for the over 30 years, refining techniques
and methods to increase production, profitability and
environmental sustainability.6
1
Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture: A More Sustainable Approach to Aquaculture
2
Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch
3
Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture: A More Sustainable Approach to Aquaculture
systems to grow to market size.17 It takes 197.6 acres of their gills. The amount of DO that a fish needs to stay
open ponds to produce the same amount of shrimp that alive and grow depends on the species and size of fish,
a RAS farm can raise on just 6.1 acres.18 Tilapia, cobia, as well as the effects of the other water quality param-
black sea bass, branzini, salmon, trout and shrimp are eters.21 A fish with a higher metabolic rate will consume
among the many seafood products being raised in RAS. DO at a higher rate. 22 Oxygen is also critical to the meta-
Aquaponic RAS produce a large array of herbs, vegeta- bolic processes of the bacteria living in the system that
bles, fruits, flowering plants and seaweeds as well. break down ammonia and solid waste.23
4
Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch
Temperature
Fish are cold-blooded; the temperature of the water in
which they live controls their body temperature. Water
temperature directly affects the physiological processes
of fish such as respiration rate, efficiency of feeding and
assimilation, growth, behavior and reproduction.30 Fish
are often grouped into three categories based on pre-
ferred temperature ranges: cold-water species below 60
degrees Fahrenheit, cool-water species between 60 F to
68 F and warm-water species above 68 F.31 To ensure
maximum growth and minimize stress, temperatures
need to be maintained in the species’ optimal range.
Indoor RAS allows the farm to have greater control over
the temperature of the ambient air that can impact the pH testers.
water temperature. Heaters and chillers can be added to Photo by Eileen Flynn
RAS to maintain temperature, though this is not ideal in concentrations of ammonia from fish wastes. When fish
terms of energy efficiency. waste is produced, most of it eventually breaks down
into nitrate, and nitrate accumulation tends to produce a
At Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Dr. Richard Lee, drop in pH and alkalinity, which can be harmful to fish if
an emeritus professor of oceanography, uses geothermal it is not monitored properly.34
chilling and solar heating to regulate the temperature of
his RAS. The geothermal chilling is conducted through The scale of pH ranges from 0 to 14, with lower numbers
a closed-loop pipe running down into the groundwa- demonstrating increased acidity and higher numbers
ter and back up to the surface (no water is exchanged showing greater basicity. Seven is considered the equi-
between the facility and the groundwater). The ground- librium point of freshwater, where it is neither acidic nor
water is approximately 64.5 F and the contact of the cool basic. In freshwater RAS, pH is generally maintained
water on the outside of the pipe transfers the heat so that around 6 to 7.5. In aquaponic systems, pH may be main-
the tank can maintain its temperature between approxi- tained at a slightly lower level (around 5.5 to 6.5), where
mately 79 F and 82.5 F during a Georgia summer.32 The the slightly higher acidity level helps plants to obtain nu-
solar heating is conducted by running pipes carrying trients. Some studies have been done in aquaponics sys-
system water through sheets of black plastic that trans- tems to reconcile the lower optimal pH of plants with the
fer the heat they absorb from the sun to the water in the higher optimal pH of fish, and it has been found that a
pipes. Using this method the RAS system had tempera- pH as high as 7 can be maintained without reducing the
tures between approximately 70 F and 77 F in the winter productivity of plants.35 Marine RAS needs to maintain
when air temperature was not above 60 F in the same a slightly higher pH, as the average pH of ocean saltwa-
time period.33 ter is around 8, which makes it somewhat basic. People
who work with recirculating systems need to monitor
pH and Alkalinity pH carefully in order to keep levels within an accept-
able range for health and growth of the fish. Some of
Monitoring of the pH level is among the most im-
the aforementioned technologies, such as high rate algal
portant tasks in RAS. The pH is directly affected by
ponds, can act as a counterbalance to the accumulation
5
Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture: A More Sustainable Approach to Aquaculture
of certain chemicals within an RAS and can help to bal- Waste Removal: Ammonia, Nitrite,
ance pH levels naturally. Nitrate, Solid and Suspended Waste
(Without Aquaponics)
Alkalinity is a measure of the pH-buffering capacity
One major benefit of RAS over other forms of aquacul-
of water.36 The principle ions that contribute to alka-
ture is the ability to capture, treat and/or utilize waste
linity are carbonate (CO3-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-).
from the system. In general, solid wastes, including
Supplements may be added to water to adjust the alka-
feces and uneaten feed, are filtered and removed from
linity. Alkalinity of fresh water ranges from less than
the system. Once removed, these solids can be treated
5mg/L to more than 500mg/L and salt water is about
or utilized in a secondary function (converted to energy,
120mg/L CaCO3.37
fertilizer and possibly even feed). Systems that do not
effectively and quickly remove fish fecal matter, uneaten
food and other solids from the water will never produce
fish economically.38
6
Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch
Carbon dioxide which break down carbon dioxide and reformulate it into
Dissolved carbon dioxide is another product that can lesser molecules.
accumulate in high-density RAS. Large-scale RAS
Another process for carbon dioxide elimination is called
systems must supplement their tanks with pure oxygen
aeration stripping, a process in which water is forced
for a greater quantity of fish to be bred, but this results
through a series of cascading “stripping columns” that
in insufficient natural removal of the carbon dioxide
expose the water to air and result in the release of dis-
(CO2) that is then produced.49 (In lower-density systems,
solved CO2 into the atmosphere. Experiments have been
oxygenation is generally unnecessary, as sufficient water
done to determine the optimal ratio of air to water as it
exchange and aeration occurs to naturally balance levels
cascades through the stripping columns, and for now,
of both oxygen and CO2.)
experiments suggest that higher ratios of air to water
Excessive levels of CO2 can result in changes in pH — implying a slower filtration process — improve the
towards acidification, which can be detrimental to fish efficiency of carbon dioxide stripping from a recirculat-
if the pH level drops too low. Various technologies have ing system.51
been tested to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in
Similar to aeration stripping, a third type of carbon
the water of these high-density systems. One method of
dioxide removal is performed by vacuum degassing, a
addressing excessive carbon dioxide is the use of chemi-
process that vents excessive gasses through a vacuum or
cals, which can balance pH levels and thereby eliminate
pump system. The process of carbon dioxide elimination
the CO2 in RAS.50 Sodium hydroxide and sodium bicar-
is similar to the manner in which it is eliminated in the
bonate are two chemicals commonly used in aquaculture
aeration stripping process.52
for this purpose. Both function by increasing alkalinity
in the water, resulting in a series of chemical reactions
7
Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture: A More Sustainable Approach to Aquaculture
The overall waste-capture efficiency of a full RAS facility is conducting research on RAS he calls “urban aquacul-
can be 100 percent.53 ture.” Dr. Schreibman is working with RAS of various
sizes that can be run virtually anywhere, in warehouses,
Researchers and industry experts are developing a vari- on brownfield sites or right in your own home, utilizing
ety of resourceful ways to deal with the waste produced the hydroponic component of aquaponics to clean the
by RAS fish farms, such as creating fertilizer for crops water. One aspect of his research involves “aeropon-
and plants. Some RAS farms turn the waste into pellets ics,” in which plants are suspended above the tanks
to create a feed ingredient for other fish or shrimp. Still and sprayed with system water every 10 to 15 minutes
other RAS turn the waste into methane gas, which can be instead of being submerged in the water.55 This process
used to help power generators. 54 reduces the horizontal space needed to run the system
when compared to other aquaponic systems. “Urban
aquaculture” can be located in or near populated areas,
Research and Development so it can provide positive socio-economic benefits — like
Currently, research and development is being conducted jobs — as well as fresh, safe seafood and produce to local
at academic, government and business facilities across markets.56
the country to continuously improve the techniques and
methods used in RAS to offer consumers cleaner, green-
Larger-Scale Aquaponics
er and safer products.
Dr. James Rakocy, director of the University of the
Virgin Islands Agricultural Experimental Station, con-
Urban Aquaculture as a Community- ducts RAS aquaponic research in a large-scale system
Based Option with plants growing on floating rafts. Foam rafts float on
Dr. Martin Schreibman, founder and director of the the surface of large water-filled hydroponic tanks. Plants
Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center develop and expand atop the rafts, basked in sunlight,
at the City University of New York’s Brooklyn College, while roots get maximum exposure to water by growing
This is an urban aquaculture/aquaponics system (it grows both fish and plants) in a small setting — in fact it is in a part of a classroom at Brooklyn College!
Photo courtesy of Dr. Martin Schreibman at Brooklyn College, CUNY, Aquatic Research Environmental Assessment Center (AREAC)
8
Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch
9
Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture: A More Sustainable Approach to Aquaculture
Future Improvements
RAS is not yet perfect, but the benefits of a controlled,
closed system with waste management should not be
overlooked. Additional research is being done to devel-
op new techniques and methods to continually improve
RAS.
Chemical Usage
Water supply is a common means of pathogen entry.
Water for RAS is often disinfected, or obtained from a
source that does not contain fish or invertebrates that
could be pathogen carriers (rain, spring or well water are
common sources).62 Biosecurity in RAS requires that the
systems be designed to be cleaned easily, completely and
frequently to reduce pathogens.63
Energy Usage
RAS facilities require varying amounts of energy to run
the machinery that moves the water through the system
and treatment processes. Some producers using aqua-
ponics and facilities raising shrimp may be able to use
fewer pieces of machinery to run the systems therefore
having reduced energy demands. Research is being Lettuce and other vegetables growing in RAS aquaponic tanks at UVI.
Photo courtesy of Dr. James Rakocy at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Croix.
done by Dr. Timothy Pfeiffer at the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service to de-
where the RAS are located.68 Wind energy has also been
termine the specific energy requirements for different
tested as a means to power reverse-osmosis membrane
aspects of the treatment processes and how to get the
filtration, which separates purified water from a concen-
most efficient water treatment with the least amount of
trated “brine” of fish effluent, with some success.69 Many
energy.66 Dr. Yonathan Zohar, Director at University
of these technologies have been proven viable at a small-
of Maryland Biotechnology Institute’s Center of Marine
scale, and implementation on large-scale (high-density)
Biotechnology (COMB), is using waste captured from
RAS are ongoing.
RAS to produce energy in the form of methane that
can be fed straight into a generator.67 Dr. Zohar and
researchers at COMB are also working to convert algae Feed Efficiency
biomass, produced in RAS, into bio-fuel. In the production of farm-raised fish, the feed plays a
large role in determining sustainability and quality of
Both freshwater and marine RAS have been the sub- farmed fish. Farmed fish are often fed wild forage fish,
ject of experiments to enhance energy efficiency. such as anchovies, sardines and herring, after being
Implementing solar heating for the maintenance of processed into fishmeal or oil. These prey fish are a
proper temperature within the fish basin has been found crucial part of the marine ecosystem, serving as food for
to reduce conventional energy requirements by 66 per- marine mammals, birds and large predatory fish. Since
cent to 87 percent, depending on the regional climate
10
Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch
taking these fish from the oceans can disrupt food chains treatments. Other forms of aquaculture that allow water
and ecosystem balance, feed conversion rate is always to flow freely in and out of the holding ponds or cages
a concern with farm-raised fish. The ideal feed conver- can not control what chemicals and pollutants are being
sion is one pound or less of wild fish to raise one pound carried with the water. Some RAS/aquaponic facilities
of farmed fish. Although existing feed sources do not have been certified organic for the plants produced.
always have completely efficient 1:1 conversion rates,
RAS farms and scientists are conducting research and
Not a Natural Environment, but Still a
developing techniques that can improve feed quality and
Healthy One
reduce the need for wild fish. Examples of innovations
in RAS feed efficiency include finding alternative feed To achieve economic viability, RAS farms run their sys-
ingredients, such as worms and algae, improving feed tems with a higher density of fish per tank than would be
quality by using algae to increase protein content and found in the wild. Density depends primarily on water
raising prey fish in RAS, instead of harvesting wild for- quality, fish species and size.71 Overcrowding of younger
age fish, to feed larger predatory fish.70 fish is avoided to allow them optimal room to grow dur-
ing their rapid growth stage.72 As fish grow they may
be moved to reduce densities to maintain good water
“Organic”? quality and to optimize fish health and growth until they
Organic foods are produced under conditions in which reach market size. RAS fish farmers avoid keeping fish
all inputs are controlled. RAS is the only method of at densities that can be detrimental to fish health; for ex-
raising fish that can completely control the production ample, trout raised at high densities can develop eroded
environment. Being a closed-loop system, RAS can fins.73 Researchers regularly experiment with densities to
better ensure fish and plants are not being exposed to ensure optimum health and productivity.
synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, growth hormones,
sewage sludge, antibiotics or any other artificial feed or
11
Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture: A More Sustainable Approach to Aquaculture
12
Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch
Conclusion
Consumers love seafood, and with wild fish stocks de- in this report, are just a few examples of successful com-
pleted, aquaculture is likely to be supplying increasing panies that are producing RAS seafood.
amounts of fish for food. However, not all fish farming
methods are equal. In order to ensure safer and more Technical innovations are essential for the continued
sustainable seafood, consumers are more regularly ask- growth of the aquaculture sector. Instead of pushing
ing about how their fish was produced before making OOA, which can damage the marine environment and
seafood choices. Common forms of aquaculture, such may pose a threat to consumer health, the U.S. govern-
as open-water systems, can pollute the marine environ- ment needs to play a vital role in promoting opportuni-
ment with chemicals and waste, and may produce sea- ties to develop cleaner, greener, safer aquaculture in the
food contaminated with pesticides and antibiotics. These United States, such as RAS. 95
are not acceptable factors for most consumers seeking
greener, more healthful options.
Recommendations
RAS, on the other hand, are closed, controlled, bio- Federal and State governments should increase funding
secure systems. Since RAS retain and treat water within to RAS researchers to help provide consumers with a
the system, they reduce waste discharges and the need cleaner, greener, safer seafood aquaculture option.
for chemicals and antibiotics. RAS can be efficient in
production and space usage and can range from small- If standards must be set for an organic label for fish, RAS
scale to commercial operations — growing a variety of raised fish should viewed as the only true option, due to
different fish and plants. the controlled, closed-loop nature of RAS.
RAS are currently operating in the United States. In Consumers should ask grocery stores and restaurant
fact, RAS have been under development for over 30 managers whether the seafood they sell comes from
years, refining techniques and methods to increase pro- domestic RAS farms. If not, they should request U.S.
duction, profitability and environmental sustainability. 94 RAS-produced seafood as an alternative to imported,
Academic, government and business facilities across the open-water farmed fish.
country are conducting research and further improving
and expanding RAS. Premier Organic Farms, Marvesta
Shrimp Farms and Blue Ridge Aquaculture, highlighted
13
Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture: A More Sustainable Approach to Aquaculture
Endnotes
1 Fishwatch.gov 33 Lee, Richard. “Rapid growth of black sea bass Centropristis stria-
2 FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Food and ta in recirculating systems with geothermal cooling, solar heating,
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. “The State of tilapia diet and microbial mat/seaweed filter.” Clean, Green,
World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2008” Rome, Italy. 2009 at 16. Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture Summit. Washington
3 Timmons, M.B. and J.M. Ebeling. (2007) “Recirculating D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch. January 2009.
Aquaculture.” Cayuga Aqua Ventures at 3. 34 Neori, Amir, et al, “Biogeochemical processes in intensive
4 Timmons at 30. zero-effluent marine fishculture with recirculating aerobic and
anaerobic biofilters.” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology
5 Timmons at 6.
and Ecology 349 (2007): 241.
6 Timmons at 1.
35 Tyson, et al, “Effect of Water pH on Yield,” 2019.
7 Rakocy, James. “The UVI Aquaponic System.” Clean, Green,
36 Timmons at 56.
Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture Summit. Washington
D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch. January 2009. 37 Timmons at 57.
8 Tyson, R.V. et al, “Effect of Water pH on Yield and Nutritional 38 Timmons at 115.
Status of Greenhouse Cucumber Grown in Recirculating 39 Timmons at 53.
Hydroponics.” Journal of Plant Nutrition 31.11 (2008): 2019 40 Timmons at 275.
9 Ibid. 41 Timmons at 54.
10 Metaxa, E., et al, “High rate algal pond treatment for water reuse 42 Timmons at 54.
in a marine fish recirculation system: Water purification and fish 43 Timmons at 55.
health.” Aquaculture 252 (2005). 44 Timmons at 275.
11 Pagand, P. et al, “The use of high rate algal ponds for the treat- 45 Timmons at 277.
ment of marine effluent from a recirculating fish rearing system.” 46 Timmons at 281-283.
Aquaculture Research 31 (2000).
47 Timmons at 56.
12 Timmons at 621
48 Timmons at 275.
13 Timmons at 620.
49 Summerfelt, Steven T., et al., “Evaluation of full-scale carbon
14 Torsten, E.I. Wik, et al. “Integrated dynamic aquaculture and dioxide stripping columns in a coldwater recirculating system.”
wastewater treatment modeling for recirculating aquaculture Aquacultural Engineering 28 (2003).
systems.” Aquaculture. 287. 2009 at 361-370.
50 Summerfelt, Steven T., et al, “Oxygenation and carbon dioxide
16 Timmons at 7. control in water reuse systems.” Aquacultural Engineering 22
17 Zohar, Yonathan. “Environmentally compatible, recirculated (2000).
marine aquaculture: addressing the critical issues.” Clean, Green, 51 Summerfelt, et al, “Evaluation of full-scale carbon dioxide strip-
Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture Summit. Washington ping columns,” 2003.
D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch. January 2009.
52 Summerfelt, et al, “Oxygenation and carbon dioxide control,”
18 Conversion of information from hectares to acres by Food & 2000.
Water Watch from: Moss, Shawn. “An integrated approach
53 Timmons at 10.
to sustainable shrimp aquaculture in the U.S.” Clean, Green,
Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture Summit. Washington 54 Zohar, Yonathan. “Environmentally compatible, recirculated
D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch. January 2009. Samocha, marine aquaculture: addressing the critical issues.” Clean, Green,
Tzachi. “Overview of some sustainable, super-intensive micro- Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture Summit. Washington
bial biofloc-rich shrimp production systems used by Gulf Coast D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch. January 2009.
Research Lab, Waddell Mariculture Center and AgriLife Research 55 Schreibman, Martin. “Urban Aquaculture: The promises and
Mariculture Lab.” Clean, Green, Sustainable Recirculating constraints.” Clean, Green, Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture
Aquaculture Summit. Washington D.C.: hosted by Food and Summit. Washington D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch.
Water Watch. January 2009. January 2009.
19 Timmons at 39. 56 Schreibman, Martin. “Urban Aquaculture: The promises and
20 Timmons at 47. constraints.” Clean, Green, Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture
Summit. Washington D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch.
21 Timmons at 88.
January 2009.
22 Timmons at 88.
57 Rakocy, James. “The UVI Aquaponic System.” Clean, Green,
23 Timmons at 90. Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture Summit. Washington
24 Timmons at 89. D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch. January 2009.
25 Timmons at 412. 58 Food & Water Watch staff email exchange with Dr. James
26 Timmons at 413. Rakocy, University of the Virgin Islands. June 22 – September 7,
27 Timmons at 413. 2009.
28 Timmons at 413-426. 59 Steve Craig and other from the Summit
29 Timmons at 50. 60 Kidd, Karen. “Effects of Synthetic Estrogen on Aquatic
30 Timmons at 51. Population: A Whole Ecosystem Study,” Freshwater Institute,
31 Timmons at 51. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
32 Lee, Richard. “Rapid growth of black sea bass Centropristis stria- 61 “Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.: Soybean
ta in recirculating systems with geothermal cooling, solar heating, Varieties.” Data Set, Economic Research Service, United
tilapia diet and microbial mat/seaweed filter.” Clean, Green, States Department of Agriculture. www.ers.usda.gov/Data/
Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture Summit. Washington BiotechCrops/ExtentofAdoptionTable3.htm
D.C.: hosted by Food and Water Watch. January 2009. 62 Timmons at 621
14
Alliance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Food & Water Watch
15