Research for creating optimal conditions for aquaponics is still on-ongoing. This also makes it hard to estimate how much fish and nutrition is needed to keep the eco-system in balance. It also depends on the types of fish and types of plants. Therefore it is hard to make a technology roadmap from 2020 to 2065.
It is likely that implementation of the aquaculture system will take longer. However this will not have a big influence on the total system since the aquaculture system only provides grass and plants for feedstock, which in the beginning can also be replaced by imported feeding. The earlier this sub-system is implemented, the earlier Texel can become self-supportive.
2015-2020 Find stakeholders for aquaponics
In case Ecomare and NIOZ are interested in aquaponics research, stakeholders have to be found that want to join as well to get enough investments to perform research. Since aquaponics can contribute to sustainable food production for a rising global population, international partners can be involved as well.
2020-2025 Research towards aquaponics on Texel
Once there is enough funding, research can be performed to the optimal conditions for aquaponics on Texel. General research on optimizing this ecosystem can be performed as well.
2025-2030 Aquaponics pilot
Once research is performed, the first pilots can be initiated. In these pilots the fertilizer of the biodigester can be added to the algae tank and worms of the worm farming can be added as fish feeding. Grass and plants that grow as a result, can be given to feedstock at farms.
2030-2040 Optimize organization
Once the pilot is successful organization of resource exchange can be optimized. Fertilizers and worms can be added at the right time. Since grass and plant production can be more stabilized once optimal conditions have been achieved, a continuous stream of grass and plants can be delivered to farms. The aquaponics facility center can also expand to support more farms in animal feeding production.