Omega 3 Oils in Aquaponics - reared Fish

[Geophph]

Hi All

Was discussing my ideas about setting up an aquaponics system with my family Doctor the other day and he made a comment that I thought I'd seek the opinion of Forum members on ( He has been our family Doctor for more than 30 years and must be about 206 years old by now and is slowing down a bit, so I'm not sure about his thoughts on aquaculture et. al. )

He mentioned fish being a good source of Omega 3 Oils or whatever it is they say should be added to your diet these days. He then went on to say that the levels of these oils in farmed fish is nowhere near the level evident in the wild variety

What do you all reckon ?

I thought tuna etc. was the recommended fish for that sort of dietary intake rather than the freshwater varieties such as trout and barramundi etc. as would be reared in a backyard aquaponics setup

Not that it matters one way or the other to what I would be doing in leafy Kalamunda, W.A., but thought I'd pose the question

Thanks

Geoff

[GaryD]

Hi,

That's an interesting thought. I know that the aquaculture industry in the US has been the subject of similar concern (although with different species).

It would be worthwhile making enquiries of the Dept. of Fisheries about whether they are aware of any difference in Omega-3 levels.

Gary

[Bidadisndat]

Was checking on the same thing myself a while ago and found that Castaway had posted this on the ap.net site: http://www.aquaponics.net.au/hq/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=15&p=19&hilit=Omega+3#p19

[Ravnis]

I read a study on this very subject on a aquaculture site when I first started looking at aquaponics. I don't remember the link to the article, so I can't put it here. After reading about it, I almost gave up on farmed fish for that very reason, but I noticed a part about the fish feed and being fed with corn feedstock instead of natural type foods.
This was also the same thing about eating beef fed corn instead of grass as it's digestive system was designed for. The beef raised in this manner had a higher fat content and was higher in cholesterol. My 2 cents is that it's not the container that it's in as much as what you feed it. It is what it eats, just like we are what we eat.

[Geophph]

Thanks Bida

That's very interesting. I'll send my doc the link ( IF he has email :D )

Ravnis makes some good points

Thanks folks

[Bidadisndat]

Right on, Ravnis. Crazy forcing ruminants onto a diet that their systems aren't able to absorb as nature designed. No wonder the critters subsequently need a regime of antibiotics to treat the problems caused.
The bottom line of course is profit. The same goes with farmed fish, however home aquaponicists generally have the advantage of being able to choose suitable food for the species of fish they are raising, without worrying too much about returning a profit to shareholders.
To my mind, even if the cost of raising your own fish in a home AP system was to be about the same as having to buy at retail outlets, you'd come out ahead knowing that your fish are healthy and safe to eat. Deduct the ammount you are saving on garden produce that is likewise fresh, clean and healthy, and you are miles ahead.
......Bid...