How the New Aquaponics Exhibit Helps Provide Sustainable Food for Sea Turtles
Updated Sep 18, 2018 | Posted Sep 18, 2018
Growing Lettuce for Sea Turtles With Aquaponics
Fish will help grow lettuce without the use of soil in Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s new aquaponics exhibit. This lettuce will feed the aquarium’s rescued sea turtles. CMA completed the sustainable system at the end of August and it’s ready for guests to view now.
The waste from a pool of tilapia is transferred through the system to the lettuce as fertilizer. The romaine lettuce plants naturally filter the water they grow in by pulling out the nutrients they need. The filtered water is then returned back to the fish and the cycle happens again. This sustainable practice maintains resources instead of depleting them.
“Our goal is to educate and inspire guests to practice sustainability in their own routines,” says David Yates, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. “Small changes can collectively make a big difference in protecting our planet’s resources.”
The Aquaponics Cycle
What exactly is Aquaponics?
Aquaponics is an integrated system that utilizes both aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (soil-less growing of plants).
How does the aquaponics cycle work?
The fish excrete waste after digesting food.
In this system, the waste is converted into “fertilizer” for the plants.
Lettuce plants use the fertilizer waste to grow and then this lettuce is used to feed our sea turtles.
The romaine lettuce plants naturally filter the water they grow in, by pulling out the nutrients they need to grow, therefore filtering and cleaning the water that is then returned back to the fish… and the cycle happens again!
What is sustainability?
Sustainable practices maintain resources instead of depleting them. Both parts of the aquaponics system (the fish and the lettuce) work together to grow the lettuce in a continued cycle.
Because the system works together, it does not require additional resources such as fertilizer or water maintenance. We only need to add new lettuce seeds when the lettuce is ready to harvest, and feed the fish so they can produce the waste.
Some of the other ways CMA practices sustainability:
The tableware in our Shark Bites Cafe is made from sustainable birch wood. No plasticware!
Shark Bites Cafe also uses biodegradable containers that are sustainably sourced.
Our paper bags are sustainably sourced in our gift shop. No plastic bags!
Only 1 in 1,000 sea turtles survive to adulthood. It’s crucial that we give them the best chance at survival.
This means if you see a nest hatching, or a hatchling racing to the water, 💡🙅♂️keep your lights out & hands off👐🙅♀️! If you find an injured or disoriented hatchling (away from the water, off the beach, etc.) call CMA or your local law enforcement before interfering. Be a sea turtle hero by following these rules! #TurtleTuesday ... See MoreSee Less