Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems promote the incorporation of circular principles. This study aims to explore the potential principles embedded in IMTA and the existing alternatives to quantify circularity. In line with Chary et al [1], nutrients and resource use, are fundamental pillars embedded in the principles applicable to aquaculture (safeguard and regenerate, avoid, prioritize, reuse and recycle and entropy). Therefore, bioremediation indicators together with the efficiency indicators in terms of feed, water, energy, and infrastructure material used are selected to evaluate the circularity performance of 4 IMTA trials in 3 aquaculture facilities (table 1).
Results were interpreted through a ranking system, where the contribution to circularity is observed in Table 2, according to the intensity of green (less or more intense indicate less or more circularity performance).
This study confirmed the fact that multi-trophic aquaculture systems perform in line with the circular attributes embedded in the essential definition of bioremediation. Metrics on bioremediation would promote standardization of nutrient recycling rates, from which the effectiveness of the systems could be evaluated.
In addition to bioremediation, complementary indicators applied to IMTA provide evidence for the implementation of resource efficiency strategies, which further ensures the alignment of these systems with the circular economy.
Bibliography
1. Chary, K.; Van Riel, A.; Muscat, A.; Wilfart, A.; Harchaoui, S.; Verdegem, M.; Filgueira, R.; Troell, M.; Henriksson, P.J.G.; De Boer, I.J.M.; et al. Transforming Sustainable Aquaculture by Applying Circularity Principles. Reviews in Aquaculture 2023, raq.12860, doi:10.1111/raq.12860.
AcknowledgmentsThis work is part of the ASTRAL project, funded by the EU H2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 863034.