Spain: Salicornia and tank-grown lettuces with fish is a circular bioeconomy model

Using the aquaponics system, plants can be grown directly in water enriched with fish excrement and their feed remains In two pilot experiments carried out at IRTA in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, 90 kg of lettuce and 250 kg of salicornia have been harvested in just 18 square meters The study shows for the first time that this system is effective for growing halophilic plants, although it could be applied in the particular field with any plant using few natural and energy resources Most of the aquaponic systems that are in operation today are used to small-scale in fish farms. In many regions of the world, this system combining aquaculture and hydroponics has been shown to be sustainable, efficient and low energy cost, but its commercial use is still limited. Recently, at the IRTA in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, a salinity-tolerant plant, salicornia or sea asparagus, has been cultivated for the first time with aquaponics, known for its high value in the culinary world and its properties ...