Lethbridge Polytechnic to research canola-based feed in aquaponics industry

Oct. 31, 2024 – Lethbridge Polytechnic’s research into an alternate, more sustainable source of fish feed for the growing aquaponics industry has the potential to open a new market for canola producers.

Under project lead, Dr. Nick Savidov, senior research scientist with Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre (IATC), the research will examine the viability of using canola-supplemented fish feed, in place of fish meal, in commercial aquaponics production. The project could lead to significant savings for the aquaculture industry, as well as offering polytechnic students invaluable learning opportunities for years to come, further cementing the institution’s reputation for leading-edge research in this field.

This three-year, nearly $300,000 project is funded by Canola Council of Canada, Alberta Canola, SaskOilseeds, Manitoba Canola Growers Association and the Government of Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Aquaponics is the integrated culture of fish, plants and beneficial micro-organisms grown in a soilless environment. Fish and plants grow in one ecosystem, eliminating the waste they separately produce by turning it into something of use. The waste created by the fish becomes a food source for beneficial micro-organisms, which convert it into mineral nutrients for the plants. The plants act as a natural filter, regenerating the water quality for the fish.

Fish meal, which is made from dried and milled fish, is a common source of protein in fish feed, including that used in aquaponics. It is expensive and not terribly sustainable, says Savidov, in that fish must be killed in order to “grow fish.” Replacing that protein with the protein from the solid waste left after oil is extracted from canola seeds could have multiple benefits, he adds.

“Using a byproduct from the canola industry means a potential new market and additional revenue for canola farmers,” Savidov says.

“With domestic canola crushing capacity expanding, we’re looking forward to finding new ways to utilize canola meal and aquaculture is a natural fit,” says Chris Manchur, agronomy specialist and research lead for the Canola Council of Canada, “Helping enhance the sustainability of our food systems in Canada and beyond is important, and we’re looking forward to the outcomes from this work happening in aquaponics right here on the Prairies.”

One of the objectives of the project will be assessing the economic value of a cheaper source of fish feed in aquaponics production. Savidov says he’s confident there will also be a substantial cost savings for the aquaculture industry, which involves the farming of fish and other aquatic organisms. “One of the reasons that the aquaculture industry, especially the in-land aquaculture industry, is developing relatively slowly and not competitive enough is because of the cost of fish feed,” he says, estimating the savings could be in the millions of dollars.

The spinoff benefits for Lethbridge Polytechnic shouldn’t be overlooked. “This grant allows the polytechnic to acquire state of the art equipment; unique equipment that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world,” says Savidov. Components have been sourced which will allow them to build 42 fully automated aquaponics modules. The equipment will allow for a “very robust” statistical analysis in a fraction of the time it now takes to collect data manually.

Lethbridge Polytechnic students will be involved in stages of the research project, including module construction and experiments involving the collection of data, observation and analysis. “We will be providing additional expertise for those students, and they will leave the polytechnic with invaluable experience they couldn’t get anywhere else in Canada,” Savidov says.

The new infrastructure will increase the institution’s capacity for related research and should make it easier to attract additional grants in the future, adds Savidov, who has been involved in aquaponics research for more than two decades. Bolstered by Lethbridge Polytechnic’s development of several game-changing, zero waste technologies, he is confident it already holds the undisputed title of Canada’s top ranked institution for aquaponics research. The project also has the potential to further the polytechnic’s goal of becoming a national centre for sustainable food production, says Savidov, and continue its steady ascent in the rankings of Canada’s top research colleges and polytechnics.

The IATC is part of the polytechnic’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE), which is a catalyst for applied research that results in real-world solutions, economic growth, sustainability, and social and community development. In the most recent Research Infosource ranking of Canada’s top research colleges, Lethbridge Polytechnic was ranked 11th.