Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

Workshop Module 11: Aquaculture 301

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Presentation : Aquaculture and aquaculture systems

Method : Facilitator presentation

Tools : Images, black/white board, markers

References : PC Book MOD 11 - Aquaculture

Objective : Participants learn about integrated aquaculture systems

Breeding fish is only one part of a healthy aquaculture system. There are many
other factors that help keep the system healthy and productive - Plants, bacteria, insects,
trees, and other animals.

There are also many valuable products and uses for an aquaculture system - Animal and
food production can be integrated, for example:

• Fish, prawns, and eels can be raised for eating or selling.


• Water spinach, watercress, taro, bull rushes, and lotus are some of the many
  water plants that can be grown for food.


• Bamboo, fruit trees, vegetables, and other plants can be grown around pond
  edges.

Some of the benefits from aquaculture include:

• Fish and other water animals are an excellent source of protein and
  nutrition as well as income - Aquaculture systems provide more meat for the
  same area of land than any other animal system.


• Productive water plants and pond edge plants can be grown and
  harvested.


• Pest management of gardens and farms is assisted as pest predators are
  attracted.


• Aquaculture systems can be used to turn animal waste and plant
  waste into food for fish and water plants. Then after fish are harvested
  the ponds can be cleaned to provide high quality fertilizer for plants.


• Aquaculture systems can be made on land that has low productivity or
  cannot be used for other plants and animals, such as swamp land.


• Rice, chicken, pig, and duck production can all be combined with
  aquaculture to improve production in both systems.


• Aquaculture systems assist water flow and drainage in the wet
  season. In the dry season they provide a store of water that can be
  used for animal water.


• Aquaculture systems change and modify the climate. They make the
  surrounding temperature less hot or cold therefore making it a more comfortable
  climate. This is beneficial for trees and crops and for house areas as well.