2004 Annual Report for OS04-018
Recirculating Production Pond Inflows to Increase Production and Reduce Effluents on Small-Scale Fish Farms
Summary
With guidance from University personnel and funding assistance from SARE the cooperating farmer has had the opportunity to explore the economics of recirculating water through his multi-pond production system. Recycling this water along with integrating secondary non-fish crops has helped reduce the amount of potentially nutrient rich effluents leaving the farm and allowed the farmer to increase his productivity and efficiency.
Objectives/Performance Targets
Objectives for the first year of the project included.
Installing pumps and piping
Preparing, planting and maintaining new garden plots
Constructing aquaponic rafts for use in the ponds
Stocking fish
Measuring baseline and ongoing water quality data
Recording progress
These objectives were successfully accomplished and with the exception of most of the aquaponic rafts (along with the plants) being destroyed by hurricane weather appear to be progressing as expected. The quality of the effluent leaving the farm was well within acceptable limits and there did not appear to be a significant build up of nutrients in the ponds. With the many variables associated with this complex environmental system the direct impact of the water recirculation and additional plant production are difficult to establish.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
The farmer reported production of an additional 1950 lbs of tomatoes that resulted from the project. Most of the other vegetables were hit hard by the hurricane weather. It is unlikely that the hydroponic rafts were in place long enough to have a significant impact on the water quality before they were damaged. More information will be available in year two. Many farmer and patrons visiting the farm commented on the integration with the plants and considered it a valuable investment that they will consider for their farm.