Integrating Biosystems to foster Sustainable Aquaculture: Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae as Feed in Aquaponic Systems

Abstract

Chapter 1 of this report examines the current state of aquaculture and identifies two major environmental concerns associated with it, namely nutrient pollution by effluent and use of fishmeal-based feed. Together, these concerns cast doubts on the sustainability of aquaculture with current techniques. The studies outlined herein address these issues through 1) aquaponic filtration of the aquaculture effluents and 2) the use of the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens, as an alternative to fishmeal in aquaculture feedstuffs. The introductory chapter examines the current state of aquaculture and makes the case that aquaponics is a viable option to manage aquaculture effluent in recirculating systems. Furthermore, Black Soldier Flies offer a locally sourced feed that is more sustainable, both economically and environmentally, than fish-meal based fish feed. Chapter 2 provides a detailed discussion of the logistics of aquaponics and Black Soldier Fly culture used in these studies. Separated as two stand-alone documents, Chapter 2 is developed as: i) Considerations of Aquaponics and ii) Techniques for Black Soldier Fly Culture with the intention of publication of each through the Agricultural Extension purview of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawai’i Mānoa. These documents were written as a combination of literature review and case analysis of different systems built in support of these studies, and are intended for an audience of farmers, aquaculturalists, homeowners, researchers, investors, and others that are interested in sustainable aquaculture. Once the reader is convinced of both the importance and feasibility of both aquaponics and Black Soldier Fly Culture, the ultimate question is presented, “Are Black Soldier Flies a legitimate food for catfish?” Chapter 3 is the culminating research project, presented as a journal article, to answer this project’s central question.