Saltwater aquaponics (or sometimes marine aquaponics) is a combination plant and fish rearing system similar to standard aquaponics, except that it uses saltwater instead of the more commonly used freshwater. The concept is meant to be a natural and sustainable way to eliminate the stresses that are put on local fisheries and environments by conventional fish farming practices.
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Species used
Saltwater aquaponics has been studied as an extension of aquaponics, which normally is done with freshwater species. Commercial aquaponic productions are being developed with various profitable combinations of plants and animals that thrive in saltwater.
Instead of using freshwater plants to process the wastewater from fish like with traditional aquaponics, saltwater bivalves, crustaceans, algae, seaweed and/or plankton may be used, sometimes alone or in combination with other salt-loving plants like sea purslane and saltwort.
Common fish in commercial operations include sea fin fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and echinoderms. Specific creatures include shrimp, prawns, oysters, clam, abalone and sea urchins.
Current examples
A sustainable fish farming facility in Sarasota, Florida called Mote Aquaculture Park launched a commercial demonstration project in fall 2014 with the purpose of demonstrating marine aquaponics farming practices. The project raises the saltwater fish species red drum alongside salt-loving plant species sea purslane and saltwort. The plants are ready to harvest in about 2 months, and sold via local farmers’ markets. The fish take 9-12 months before harvest, are distributed through Florida-based wholesalers.