UOG Sea Grant aquaculture expert explores Lethbridge College’s innovative program

Following a meeting with a globally acclaimed aquaponics expert this August, the University of Guam Sea Grant’s aquaculture and aquaponics team is actively contemplating the integration of cutting-edge approaches to elevate their program to new heights.

David Crisostomo, head of the UOG Sea Grant aquaculture and aquaponics program, met with Dr. Nick Savidov, a senior research scientist who is renowned for developing the world’s first fully automated zero-waste aquaponics system. His other achievements include advocating for the use of carbonized agricultural by-products, known as “biochar,” as a soilless growth medium for greenhouse vegetables. 

Dr. Savidov visited UOG in December last year, where he highlighted his commitment to sharing innovative insights in aquaponics to support local food sustainability efforts.

The meeting was held at Lethbridge College’s Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (ACE), a research hub known for creating sustainable aquatic and plant food systems. Located in Alberta, Canada, ACE merges academic expertise with industry engagement by contributing to local food security and the development of sustainable commercial food production. 

Crisostomo described Lethbridge College’s aquaponics research center and its fusion of aquaculture and hydroponics. He said ACE’s system accommodates fish rearing, plant cultivation, and waste management, with a strong emphasis on balance. 

With Dr. Savidov and the ACE staff, Crisostomo explored the different areas of the center. He described sections focused on small-scale research and demonstration, research racks with aquariums, juvenile fish tanks, tilapia culture tanks, a solids separator, an aerobic bioreactor, and a plant greenhouse.

A notable feature of Lethbridge College’s aquaponics system is its innovative by-product—an enriched aquaponic fertilizer for plants derived from fish waste. This product results from a process where fish waste is contained in aerobic bioreactors for a period of time, allowing it to convert into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. According to Crisostomo, the center packages and sells the organic fertilizer to the community.

Crisostomo aims to apply the innovative methods from the center to enhance UOG Sea Grant’s aquaculture and aquaponics program. He highlighted the usefulness of processing biochar from low-cost materials such as invasive bamboo, and the benefits of using all-male tilapia populations to optimize the fish-rearing component of the system.

Overall, Crisostomo’s plans to fuse Lethbridge College’s innovations with Guam’s distinct context, fostering a more resilient and productive aquaculture and aquaponics program that aligns with the island’s goals of sustainability and self-sufficiency.