Sustainable Aquaculture

The Need

Many chronic conditions seen on the first medical mission are linked to diet. Traditional fish, taro and coconut have increasingly been displaced by imported white rice, flour, sugar and canned meat. The result is high rates of hypertension, diabetes and dental disease.

The Program

Oceans of Gratitude is developing a partnership with Fish Farm Collaborative to build aquaponic farms on Fanning and Kiritimati. Aquaponics grows fish and vegetables together in a closed-loop system with no soil and far less water than conventional agriculture.

The model is designed for community ownership: build with local leaders, train operators, then hand over the farm. Fish Farm Collaborative has built 14 farms across four continents, together producing more than 100,000 pounds of fish and fresh produce annually.

Pilot Farm Funding

• $20–40KAquaponic system and materials
• $8–15KPacific freight and logistics
• $8–15KBuild team and local operator training
• $4–10KFirst-year operations through community handover
• $40–80KTotal pilot

Ways to Help

• Any amountCo-fund the first island farm
• $15,000Fund the build team and operator training
• $80,000Fund the complete pilot through handover