UOG begins community aquaponics system installations

Members of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant aquaculture team Lawrence Lizama and Joshua Muña prepare the installation of the first Community Based Aquaponics System (CBAS). The program provides education and a full aquaponics set-up to community members who are interested in growing their own food. Tilapia and various lettuce species are the current showcase of the project.

For many, the thought of being able to go out to your backyard and grab a fresh fish for dinner seems absurd, but it is a reality for members of the first cohort of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant’s (UOG CIS&SG) Community Based Aquaponics Systems (CBAS) program.

The program celebrated its first round of system installations this month with four complete units, valued between seven and ten thousand dollars, now up and running.

These sustainable farming systems are being installed at various locations, providing a unique opportunity for residents to grow their own food and reduce their environmental impact.

“Aquaponics is a symbiotic system that combines aquaculture with hydroponics,” explained Joshua Muña, UOG CIS&SG research assistant. “The fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, while the plants filter the water for the fish. This closed-loop system is highly efficient and can be adapted to various climates and spaces.”

The CBAS project is designed to empower local communities by providing them with the tools and knowledge to produce their own food. The systems are being installed all over Guam, ensuring that a wide range of people can benefit from this sustainable approach to agriculture.

“We are excited to bring aquaponics directly into people’s homes and help our communities become more self-sufficient,” said UOG CIS&SG Aquaculture Specialist David Crisostomo. “Aquaponics offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to grow fresh, nutritious food.”

The CBAS project also includes educational components to teach participants about the principles of aquaponics, system maintenance, and harvesting techniques. All potential members of the program were required to attend training courses and workshops before officially applying.

“To see these systems being installed really highlights the dedication the UOG team is putting into the sustainability of our island,” added UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez. “These are concrete actions that are being done by our team to make a real impact for our people.”

The UOG CIS&SG team will continue to offer training and support even beyond the installations, as the program aims to ensure the long-term success of the CBAS systems.

As the CBAS program continues to expand, it is expected to have a significant impact on Guam’s food security and sustainability.

“This is the first of dozens of systems that will be installed as a part of our sustainable aquaculture and aquaponics program,” said UOG CIS&SG Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D. “The goal is to help people learn how to sustain themselves and loosen the grip of dependence on imports.”

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero recently agreed to expand the program by adding 100 more systems to the initial 20 systems, bringing the total count to 120. These are expected to be installed across the island within the next 2 years.

By promoting local food production and reducing reliance on imported goods, the project is helping to build a more resilient and self-reliant community.

“Children see these big, swimming pools go up filled with fish and get excited to feed them and watch them grow. I think it’s the perfect way to have these young minds grow to be interested in aquaponics, farming sustainably and living sustainably as a whole,” added Muña.

More information on the CBAS program can be found on the official UOG Sea Grant website at www.uog.edu/seagrant and by following @uogseagrant on social media.

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