Backyard Fish Farming

Even though it might sound like too complicated of an endeavor, fish farming is something you can feasibly incorporate on your property. Using inexpensive and readily available materials, such as an aboveground swimming pool, you can get fresh fish right from your backyard.

“By raising your own fish, you can achieve a higher level of self-sufficiency and provide a healthier diet for your family,” says Steven Van Gorder, author of the book Small Scale Aquaculture. “Backyard fish farming is as practical as gardening for producing food for the family.”

Van Gorder’s book explains backyard aquaculture (the raising of aquatic plant and animals for food) in detail, with plans and step-by-step instructions that can help you successfully raise fish, even if your only source of water is a garden hose.

Puanani Burgess, executive director of the Waianae Coast Community Alternative Development Corp. in Waianae, Hawaii, says the methods “look so simple that everyone thinks, ‘Hey, I can do it.’” In 1992, Burgess’ group formed a micro-aquaculture