Today on Marine Science Minute with Florida Sea Grant: Aquaponics    

Aquaponics is a food production method where plants are raised with fish   It’s the combination of hydroponics, or growing plants in water, and aquaculture, or fish farming.  

In an aquaponics system, the plants use the ammonia waste produced by the fish after it has been converted to nitrate by the specialized bacteria living in the system.  While some think of this as a new technology, this production technique has been practiced for over 2000 years by Chinese, Aztec and Egyptian cultures.   

Aquaponics can be performed on a hobby scale by homeowners or on a commercial scale for local production. Florida Sea Grant staff have the experience and resources to assist with a broad variety of aquaculture and aquaponic techniques.

For information about this and other coastal topics, contact your county extension office or visit Florida Sea Grant at flseagrant.org.