Bottlenecks of AQUAPONICS Bottlenecks of AQUAPONICS … in Europe… in Europe

dr. Radu Muscalu,dr. Radu Muscalu,

STERLET SRL, RomaniaSTERLET SRL, Romania

++FISH FARMING FISH FARMING (usually in RAS)(usually in RAS) ==

++

HORTICULTURE HORTICULTURE (usually in greenhouses)(usually in greenhouses)

… … but, so far AQUQPONICS are used only on small scale, such as:but, so far AQUQPONICS are used only on small scale, such as:

Hobbyists Hobbyists Very small entrepreneursVery small entrepreneurs

Low budgetLow budgetVery low profitabilityVery low profitability

High budgetHigh budgetProfit is not importantProfit is not important

Or comes from Or comes from other activitiesother activities

Schools, experiments,Schools, experiments,R&D grants…R&D grants…

Touristic attractionsTouristic attractions

oror

So far, we can identify the following So far, we can identify the following

bottlenecks in European AQUQPONICS bottlenecks in European AQUQPONICS 1.1. Technological pull-backs:Technological pull-backs:

• Not enough know-how (questionable), at this moment there are Not enough know-how (questionable), at this moment there are no specialists in aquaponics willing to work in private sectorno specialists in aquaponics willing to work in private sector

• Beliefs that RAS water does not have the whole spectrum of Beliefs that RAS water does not have the whole spectrum of micro-elements micro-elements

• Few vegetable varieties with high productivity in aquaponicFew vegetable varieties with high productivity in aquaponic

2.2. Market acceptance:Market acceptance:• Never-ending debate if the products are BIO or not…Never-ending debate if the products are BIO or not…• Beliefs that the products have off-flavoursBeliefs that the products have off-flavours

3.3. Bureaucracy:Bureaucracy:• Since today in Europe many investments are done by European Since today in Europe many investments are done by European

Structural Funds, it is hard to find a proper Operational Structural Funds, it is hard to find a proper Operational Program that might include and accept aquaponicsProgram that might include and accept aquaponics as bussines as bussines

• Low trust from investors or banks that it might actually work …Low trust from investors or banks that it might actually work …

… … bureaucracy main problem for Aquaponic development:bureaucracy main problem for Aquaponic development:

-So far (in Romania) attempts to start a business in this sector had So far (in Romania) attempts to start a business in this sector had hold-backs from evaluators although:hold-backs from evaluators although:- Trout production: 25 to/yrTrout production: 25 to/yr- Sterlet production: 6 to/yrSterlet production: 6 to/yr- Lettuce production: 240.000 pcs/yrLettuce production: 240.000 pcs/yr- Medicinal and aromatic plantsMedicinal and aromatic plants

Annual estimated profit:Annual estimated profit:- Trout: 25.000 €Trout: 25.000 €- Sterlet ( 4 t meat and 100 kg caviar): 14.000 €Sterlet ( 4 t meat and 100 kg caviar): 14.000 €- Lettuce: 60.000 €Lettuce: 60.000 €- Medicinal and aromatic plants: about 5.000 €Medicinal and aromatic plants: about 5.000 €

Strangely, the higher profit of the vegetables could bring down the Strangely, the higher profit of the vegetables could bring down the interest of interest of AQUAPONICSAQUAPONICS and rise the interest in and rise the interest in HIDROPONICSHIDROPONICS, ,

as long as neither can benefit of a BIO certificate…as long as neither can benefit of a BIO certificate…