Aquaculture fish tank. Photo credit: Christopher Katalinas, National Sea Grant Office
Demand for salmon, and the price it commands, is on the rise. Wisconsin Sea Grant support has resulted in a new aquaponics business that is expected to employ up to 30 people and is backed by more than $10 million in investment. The aquaponics business is housed at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility and is one of North America’s first on-land salmon-rearing facilities, providing domestically sourced fish that is commonly imported. The facility had its grand opening in August 2017, and since it is an aquaponics system, will start producing fresh vegetables in addition to salmon.