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2024-uog-cnas-aquapark-1.JPG<\/p>\n
2024-uog-cnas-aquapark-1.JPG<\/p>\n
‘In light of Typhoon Mawar last year and the COVID pandemic before that, we have been reminded how vulnerable Guam is when it comes to food security.’<\/strong><\/p>\n An aquaponics park has been reopened on the University of Guam campus by the College of Natural & Applied Sciences. Named the CNAS Aquapark, it will be used for agricultural education, research, and community outreach\u2014the college\u2019s three missions as facilitator of Guam\u2019s Land Grant.<\/p>\n The park made its debut at the university\u2019s Charter Day on March 7. It will facilitate aquaculture research projects and will also serve as an educational venue for students and teachers, farmers, and the community to learn how aquaponics systems work and why they are a smart solution for Guam\u2019s environment and food security.<\/p>\n \u201cIn light of Typhoon Mawar last year and the COVID pandemic before that, we have been reminded how vulnerable Guam is when it comes to food security,\u201d said Dr. Adrian Ares, interim associate director of WPTRC. \u201cAquaponics makes practical sense for an isolated island, and it is critical that we more firmly establish it into Guam\u2019s approach to food production.\u201d<\/p>\n 2024-uog-cnas-aquapark-2.JPG<\/p>\n Aquaponics systems produce both plants and fish as food. They make efficient use of space and resources by recirculating water\u2014taking organic waste from the fish and providing it to plants as a fertilizer. The plants, in turn, remove these nutrients and return clean water to the fish. Aquaponics systems use 90% less water than traditional agriculture and also reduce the risk of pesticides leaching into the aquifer.<\/p>\n Located behind the Agriculture & Life Sciences Building on the UOG campus, the aquapark was originally created around 20 years ago by David Crisostomo, who received a limited term grant as UOG Cooperative Extension & Outreach faculty.<\/p>\n \u201cPast experiences in aquaculture and agricultural production in Guam have proven that we are capable of producing much more food locally than is currently being produced,\u201d Crisostomo said. \u201cEnvironmental stewardship and global climate issues also justify the need to examine alternative production strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n 2024-uog-cnas-aquapark-3.jpeg<\/p>\n The aquapark\u2019s revamp in the last three years\u2014including a new fence, reinstalled water and power, added gravel, and mitigated weeds\u2014was funded by $120,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Western Pacific Tropical Research Center under CNAS.<\/p>\n Research in the park is underway. A USDA Hatch grant-funded project is exploring three different aquaponics setups for affordability, rate of return, and durability in Guam\u2019s climate in an effort to increase the use of aquaponics both commercially and privately on island. The systems are stocked with tilapia from the university\u2019s Guam Aquaculture Development & Training Center and are growing six types of lettuce. The researchers will be assessing different crops and different species of fish.<\/p>\n The grant is being overseen by WPTRC fisheries scientist Dr. Hui Gong Jiang with Crisostomo as co-project director in his role now as an aquaculture specialist with UOG Sea Grant.<\/p>\n 2024-uog-cnas-aquapark-4.JPG<\/p>\n \u201cWe feel the impact will be significant,\u201d Crisostomo said. \u201cAlthough the Triton Farm [aquaponics demonstration system] has been operating for more than 20 years, the adoption rate has been small,\u201d he said, which suggests that economic issues, like cost and rate of return, may be a barrier.<\/p>\n The CNAS Aquapark is available for tours and class field trips and projects by appointment. Crisostomo is also available to provide assistance to interested farmers and businesses. Those interested can call (671) 727-5655. 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