The emergence of urban aquaculture in Europe.

Abstract

A working definition for urban aquaculture is presented that invokes concepts of land use planning, notions of urbanism, where trade links and markets, nucleated settlements, administrative organizations and specialist labour guilds are considered indicative of urban communities, and encompasses aquaculture closely linked with industrial activity. Early examples of 'proto-urban aquaculture' developed in association with Roman villas, monasteries, castles, manors and millponds are described, and important factors in the emergence of such practices, including technological advancement, demonstration of social status, declining or unreliable capture fisheries, growing market demand for aquaculture products and use of unexploited resources by entrepreneurs assessed. Pressures and events that contributed to the abandonment of these systems, notably the contraction and eventual fall of the Roman Empire, and economic decline and depopulation in the medieval period, are reviewed. Following this historical enquiry, pertinent accounts relating to contemporary urban aquaculture operations throughout Europe are presented, including production in intensively managed recirculation units, horizontally integrated marine aquaculture facilities and systems exploiting industrial by-products, in particular thermal effluents. This review suggests factors underlying the emergence of contemporary urban aquaculture are similar to those that gave rise to proto-urban systems. However, drawing on lessons learned regarding earlier declines, when considering prospects for contemporary urban aquaculture in Europe, it is recommended that a systems-based perspective is adopted.

Consumer preference, growth and profitability of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) grown in treated and aerated wastewater fed ponds in Kumasi, Ghana

“…In effort to commercialize fish production from treated wastewater as one of the sustainable means in addressing sanitation in Ghana, VIA Water/Aqua-for-All, the Netherlands and International Water Management Institute, Accra supported TriMark Aquaculture Centre, private business entity whose operations are incorporated into the legal framework of Ghana, to pilot a business model where wastewater from community WSP is reuse for fish production and revenue generated from the fish sales is channel back to address the chronic lack of funds for operations and maintenance of the WSP. This model could offer a solution to most fish farmers in the developing countries who face with limited access to nutrient inputs and water (Bunting and Little, 2003).…”

Urban Farming Aquaculture as an Alternative Business for Food and Economic Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Case Study in the Sub-Urban Area of Jakarta, Indonesia

“…Urban farming aquaculture is defined as the practice of aquaculture in urban areas or areas experiencing urbanization [39]. Urban aquaculture activities may include freshwater, brackish, and marine aquaculture activities.…”

Wastewater‐fed aquaculture in the East Kolkata Wetlands, India: anachronism or archetype for resilient ecocultures?

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