Fish are a popular source of food worldwide. However, our oceans are already over-fished and the wild fish stocks are declining rapidly. As demand for locally-grown fresh seafood increases, indoor aquaculture could be a major solution for producing more fish in a sustainable way.

Aquaculture has been one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. It is also one of the main sources of protein around the world.

Our oceans have long been the main sources of fish for the market, and as a result, our oceans have been very over-fished and exploited.

Could indoor fish farming be the answer?

One of the main benefits of aquaculture is that it reduces pressure on wild fish stocks and allows them to grow back. There is plenty of opportunity to raise fish indoors. The future of urban agriculture might begin with indoor aquaculture.

I have heard of people turning their basements into fish farms, using simple plastic containers, aquariums, fish tanks or tubs and tap water to raise fish. That’s an excellent way to have an indoor fish farm.

All you need is some space to place your fish tanks in and you are ready to go.

A good-sized basement, warehouse or anywhere in the house where you’re able to place suitable containers to raise fish indoors can be ideal for indoor fish farming. The best part of indoor aquaculture is that you can do it at any scale, large or small, depending on the size of your space.

What are the advantages of an indoor fish farm?

aquaponic fish farmingWhen you have your fish farm indoors, you don’t have to worry about the harsh weather outside.

Among many other benefits, raising fish on an indoor farm can keep your fish safe from pathogens and outside predators because they are away from any other bodies of water and animals. If you’re using a municipal supply water, this is generally very safe for your fish. There is less risk of disease and you also don’t need to worry about herbicides, pesticides or contamination from other ponds or pollution.  All you need to do is recycle your water and clean the waste.

Indoor fish farms need less water and they are safer than any land-based fish farm. One huge advantage is that you are able to raise warm water fish, such as shrimp or tilapia, that grown in hot weather.

Eighty percent of warm water fish is imported from Asia or South American countries. These fish could easily be grown indoors. Tilapia are good for indoor fish farming because they are strong and healthy fish with high feed-to-mass conversion rate.

Is indoor fish farming profitable?

Certainly, the demand for locally caught fresh fish is rising in the United States. There is also an opportunity for greater profit if you go with organic fish farming. In order for a fish farm to be organic, it has to rely on organic methods of pest control and organic herbicides. Organic fish farming also involves using non-toxic methods of raising, feeding and harvesting of fish. There are many people who are willing to pay extra money for organic farmed fish. There is also a market for live fish.

Small sized fish farms operating from the basement of a house or a warehouse are already popular in big cities such as New York, Boston and Chicago. Martin P Schreibman, a professor of biology in Brooklyn College, New York, has already farmed thousands of tilapia from his indoor farm.

“Schreibman’s idea is to create urban fish farms all over New York. He points out that urban aquaculture could be a USD 1.5 billion-a-year industry” – New York: Urban fish farms – Danish Architecture Centre

Conclusion

fish-47651_1280Indoor fish farming could be an easy solution for raising enough fish to supply food for the growing population, and also making enough money and food for ourselves. Producing enough fish could also mean releasing pressure on ocean fishing and giving our oceans’ fish stocks a chance to recover.

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Source: WorldWide Aquaculture

 

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