Could Biofloc Technology (BFT) Pave the Way Toward a More Sustainable Aquaculture in Line With the Circular Economy?

Abstract

Aquaculture is a growing industry, but current practices and raw material utilization must be reviewed to ensure a resilient and sustainable development. In this sense, the transition from a linear economy (take, make, dispose) to a circular one (renew, remake) is accelerating. The biofloc technology (BFT) is a relatively new cultivation system that can be adopted to accomplish more sustainable aquaculture and circularity goals. This document discusses BFT and its association with the circular economy (CE), the current aquaculture challenges, and the role of BFT in overcoming those challenges. This manuscript adopts Cramer’s 10 R’s and Muscat et al.’s five P’s frameworks to understand whether a functioning BFT and its key compartments (i.e., feed, environment, water, system, and microbials) align with CE’s core principles. In addition, the present work provides and discusses relevant insights regarding the further (industry and academia) application of CE approaches, especially in a biofloc-based farming context. According to the findings and connections with Cramer’s 10 R’s and Muscat et al.’s five P’s frameworks, BFT encompasses several transitioning steps into circularity and could play a crucial role toward a more sustainable aquaculture in line with the CE.