Incentives and Barriers to Adopting Aquaponic and Biofloc Systems in Canada by Hollie Matthews A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Geography Department University of Toronto © Copyright by Hollie Matthews 2017 Incentives and Barriers to Adopting Aquaponic and Biofloc Systems in Canada Hollie Matthews Master of Arts Department of Geography University of Toronto 2017 Abstract Aquaponic and biofloc systems can contribute to increasing food security while reducing environmental impacts of aquaculture. Other countries are promoting and investing in aquaponics to increase their competiveness in the food and marine sector but there are a limited number of aquaponic and biofloc facilities in Canada. Give the limited research regarding the adoption of commercial aquaponic and biofloc systems, this thesis identifies influences and barriers of implementing biofloc and aquaponic systems in Canada. Through interviews with aquaponic facilities, aquaculture facilities, government officials and biofloc professionals, this research provides insight into the aquaponic and biofloc industry in Canada. This thesis found that there is potential for an increase in both systems in Canada. Adoption of these systems would increase with collaboration and partnership opportunities, examples of profitable systems, increased access to sustainable energy, grants or benefits for creating jobs, grants for implementation and support for sustainable initiatives. ii Acknowledgments First I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Harvey Shear, for being encouraging and supportive throughout my Master’s degree. I am truly grateful to have had his consistent guidance and support. I am also grateful for Professor Kathi Wilson for her insight and encouragement throughout my thesis process. I would like to thank Professor Andrea Olive and Professor Kathi Wilson, my committee members, for being supportive of my research and providing insightful feedback. I would like to acknowledge and thank all the participants that gave their time to speak with me. I greatly appreciate that each participant took time out of their busy lives to contribute and support my research. Insight provided by the participants was invaluable and this thesis would not have been possible without their contribution. Finally, thank you to my friends and family for always having unwavering confidence in me and encouraging me through each step of my graduate degree. To my grandparents, Bernice and Oliver, who kept a roof over my head and lived with me through this process, thank you for your patience and support every day. Thank you to my Mom, Dad and Courtney for always being there when I needed someone I could talk to and for providing constructive feedback. Last but not least, I also would like to thank S.E., Renee, Yousra, Meaghan, Paulina, Katie, Léa, Mia, Marie-Line and my MA cohort for always being a support system, always having an ear to lend and for making long days and late nights at the library more enjoyable. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii List of Appendices ...........................................................................................................................x Chapter 1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ..........................................................................................................................1 1.2 Research Question and Rationale ........................................................................................6 Chapter 2 Literature Review ............................................................................................................7 2.1 Global Fisheries and Aquaculture .........................................................................................7 2.1.1 Importance of Fisheries and Aquaculture to Human Society .....................................7 2.1.2 Pressures on Wild Fish Populations ..........................................................................10 2.1.3 Recent Fish Populations ............................................................................................11 2.2 Importance of Aquaculture .................................................................................................13 2.2.1 Commercial Aquaculture in Canada .........................................................................13 2.2.2 Methods of Aquaculture ...........................................................................................19 2.2.3 Concerns of the Aquaculture Industry on the Environment and Commercial Fisheries .................................................................................................................22 2.3 Biofloc Technology (BFT) ..................................................................................................25 2.3.1 History of Biofloc Aquaculture Systems and Methods ............................................25 2.3.2 Species Grown in Biofloc Aquaculture Systems ......................................................27 2.3.3 Benefits of Biofloc Aquaculture Systems .................................................................28 2.3.4 Challenges of Biofloc Aquaculture Systems ............................................................30 2.4 Aquaponic Systems .............................................................................................................31 2.4.1 History of Aquaponic Systems and Methods............................................................31 2.4.2 Species Grown in Aquaponic Systems .....................................................................33 iv 2.4.3 Benefits of Aquaponic Systems ................................................................................34 2.4.4 Challenges of Aquaponic Systems............................................................................35 2.4 Diffusion of Aquaponics and Biofloc in Aquaculture .......................................................36 2.5.1 Adopting Innovation ................................................................................................36 2.5.2 History of Biofloc and Aquaponics in Canada ........................................................38 2.5.3 Research Purpose .....................................................................................................38 Chapter 3 Research Methods .........................................................................................................39 3.1 Geographic Location ..........................................................................................................39 3.2 Study Population ................................................................................................................39 3.3 Sample Size ........................................................................................................................40 3.4 Interview Questions ...........................................................................................................43 3.5 Recruitment Strategy .........................................................................................................44 3.6 Data Collection Method .....................................................................................................45 Chapter 4 Interview Results ...........................................................................................................47 4.1 Commercial Aquaculture Participants ................................................................................47 4.1.1 Aquaculture Facility Location and Production ......................................................47 4.1.2 Stage of Aquaculture Facilities to Implement Aquaponics ...................................49 4.1.3 Stage of Aquaculture Facilities to Implement a Biofloc System ...........................50 4.1.4 Incentives for Aquaculture Facilities to Implement Aquaponic and Biofloc ........51 4.1.5 Barriers for Aquaculture Facilities to Implement Aquaponic and Biofloc Systems ..................................................................................................................53 4.1.6 Potential Influences for Aquaculture Facilities to Implement Aquaponic and Biofloc Systems .....................................................................................................55 4.2 Commercial Aquaponic Participants .................................................................................58 4.2.1 Aquaponic Facility Location and Production ........................................................58 4.2.2 Stage of Aquaponic Facilities in Canada ...............................................................61 4.2.3 Incentives to Implement Aquaponics.....................................................................62 v 4.2.4 Barriers to Implement Aquaponics ........................................................................63 4.2.5 Potential Influences for Aquaculture Facilities to Implement Aquaponics ...........65 4.2.6 Recommendations ..................................................................................................68