Aquaponics Association Australia Ltd.

[kcraquaponics]

If was all break downs..but its all together breakdown,flat tire , gas etc. I just know people that use them. If i have a prob i call my other half or get a ride and save myself...trailer!

[DaveOponic]

I drive a 1984 Subaru 4WD wagon. Just about everything on my Subie is reconditioned and put a weber carb. On it after fiddling with the old Hitachi for a few years. It looks like crap but mechanically rebuilt. Even so, I only get it towed once a year. The insurance companies here give you a free tow per year included in the premium for third party, which is about $ 100 a year. Pretty good deal when you compare with Australia where my 850cc motorbike or 1.5 litre hatchback cost over $400 a year for rego. Most of that being 3rd party.

car license here is about $40 insurance. Separate about $100. Towing included!

[DaveOponic]

But back to the thread...... what benefits would an Aquaponics Association offer the DIY Aquaponics enthusiast like myself..... Assuming I was back home in Australia?

I fear that such an association would bring the hobby to the attention of local, state and federal governments who may want to regulate on the grounds of safety (eg kids drowning in fish tanks) excess water usage, electrical stndards in wiring up pumps etc. (eg insisting an electrician inspect or instal your AP system)

It's a form of gardening in my view and householders should see able to indulge in the hobby without interference, either from government, or from AP equipment producers trying to corner the market by forcing the DIY APer to adopt their designs or products by promoting "standards" which may then be enforced by legislation or local by laws.

Dave

[GaryD]

Hi Dave,

I fear that such an association would bring the hobby to the attention of local, state and federal governments who may want to regulate on the grounds of safety (eg kids drowning in fish tanks) excess water usage, electrical stndards in wiring up pumps etc. (eg insisting an electrician inspect or instal your AP system)

While I believe that aquaponicists need to do whatever is required to ensure the safety of children, pets and themselves (as I'm sure you do, too), I share your concern around the needless involvement of government in what you correctly describe as a gardening activity.

Backyard hydroponics (at the grower level) has operated quite happily without undue regulation for decades.......and, for all intents and purposes, aquaponics (which is only fish-powered hydroponics) should be no different.

In my view, these attempts to "introduce standards" are more about creating barriers to entry and self-promotion on the part of the promoters.......particularly given their unwillingness to consult more broadly during the formative stages of the associations.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi, Murray Hallam has posted an update on the proposed Aquaponics Association Australia Ltd. There has been some comments about the Association being a "secret "organisation. Nothing could be more untrue. Everything has to start somewhere and the group who are kicking it off is most anxious to get community participation and input, but it is a bit difficult to have open discussion when the vehicle for discussion ( the Association website) is not live as yet. I'm unsure where the "secret" thing came from. It's not in this thread and I don't think that there's been any discussion on the matter on the BYAP site. I agree that everything has to start somewhere but, in the interests of transparency and maximum participation, those who might be interested could be invited to contribute to the discussion from the outset. All of the association attempts that have occurred so far have suffered for the failure of the promoters to grasp this simple reality. Also, there has to be legal framework to operate. The legal framework is in place. The charter for the operation of the Association will be up on the website for discussion and input and once finalised will be come part of the legal framework The establishment of a legal framework is the second step......and often one of the more contentious processes. The "legal framework" associated with the attempts to establish the (World) Aquaponics Association quickly revealed that the promoters were very intent on ownership and control of the association. That could have been avoided had more people had the opportunity to participate in the development of the "legal" framework. I guess it all comes down to what the promoters are looking for.......maximum participation or maximum control. Some have suggested it is better to "stay under the radar" as far as Government is concerned. Don't have an industry body, it may draw attention from Government. As Aquaponics becomes more popular, both in the home garden and as commercial type farms appear, Government will see and take notice. It is better that we as an industry set the tone and help Government to understand what Aquaponics is and how it works, we use no agricultural chemicals and so on. That way, if Government decides to regulate, then the regulations will be favourable rather than a problem. It is better to be proactive rather than reactive. I'd advise against holding one's breath while waiting for government (at any level) to produce "favourable" regulations. Can anyone cite examples of where this has happened? Those that are interested to have input into the future of Aquaponics in Australia should join and support the Association. There are those who will have input into the future of aquaponics in Australia.....whether there is an association or not. There are already associations for people who raise fish.....and for people who grow hydroponically....and, given that aquaponics is the integration of recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics, efforts to present that as something different are more about marketing than anything else. The question still remains......what will this association do that exististing associations and forums do not. Gary

[Earthan Group]

A quote from Hallam in regards to the proposed aquaponic association:

There is a third group, Educators. Schools and the like, and Government.
They have an interest in dealing with someone that is a member of a trade or professional body.
As an example, schools and other persons or groups seeking grants to purchase equipment or pumps and the like, are often asked as part of the grant application, if the supplier is a member of a trade or professional organisation. Gov sees it as a form of self-regulation.

This is very interesting.

We have dealt with pretty much every University in AU and many schools and Government facilities along with several projects involving grants at one level or another. I have never heard of this. The usual three quotes (regardless of supplier) apply to values above a set amount set by each area. In some cases if there is a unique service only one price is required, but never have we won or lost a project based on what association we are a member of, nor have we ever been asked. It has always come down to our reputation, skills, previous work, references and of course price.

Paying for membership in an association will not give credibility to your skills, service or products as it appears is being suggested by Hallam.

I have not even heard of this with trades like plumbers and electricians working with schools or gov or grants being given preference if they are a member of the Master Plumbers Association or Electrical Contractor Association, they are not asked. They must have the appropriate license and insurance...

Perhaps this is something new or something else?

Regards
Paul

[GaryD]

Hi,

I think much of the interest in aquaponics associations is about trying to establish it as a discipline in its own right......trying to separate it from its aquaculture and hydroponics roots.

The rise to prominence of the basic flood and drain system in aquaponics leads me to suggest that that's probably more in the interests of kit manufacturers and distributors than in those of the average aquaponicist.

In the interests of system designs that really work, we'd be better to stay firmly attached to our aquaculture and hydro origins. That's where the science is.....and that's where productivity, resilience and versatility in system design comes from.


Gary