Aquaponics has been considered as a sustainable agriculture system that
amalgamates aquaculture and hydroponics in an enclosed symbiotic environment
(Nelson, 2008). Th e word ‘aquaponics’ is derived from a combination
of ‘aquaculture’ and ‘hydroponics’, and refers to the integration of hydroponic
plant/vegetable production with aquaculture. It is a bio-integrated system linking
recirculating aquaculture with hydroponic production of plants such as
vegetables, culinary or medicinal herbs. Aquaponics may provide an eff ective
and effi cient means to provide both animal protein (fi sh) and mineral and vitamin
sources (fresh vegetables) to populations where water/and or fertilizer
resources are limited with a minimum of environmental pollution.
Th e basic principals of aquaponics is that fi sh are fed “waste plant and animal
material”, which they convert into protein. Th e waste material from the