Martin Schreibman’s urban aquaculture uses recirculating systems to make aquaculture possible in an urban setting by maximizing efficiency or by keeping as much energy within the system as possible. For example, the system captures and removes fish waste, and some of the waste is then used to grow edible vegetation in a type of hydroponics system. Schreibman says, “The water is absolutely pristine even though we have hundreds and hundreds of fish growing in a very limited area.”

Certainly, urban aquaculture may even be combined with vertical urban farming, and both ideas have a great social utility by allowing consumers access to local markets that supply sustainable produce.

Schreibman is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology at Brooklyn College and Founder and director of the Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center at CUNY’s Brooklyn College.

On the Net: Urban Aquaculture Center
On the Net: Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center at CUNY’s Brooklyn College