Have you ever wondered how a seafood restaurant in Cincinnati, in the land-locked Midwest, can claim to have “fresh fish?” Isn’t the ocean quite a distance from Ohio? You may not be aware of this, but since the 1970’s, something called aquaculture—fish farming—has been expanding in the central states, such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio, and is becoming a primary source of seafood in the Midwest.
Fish Farms
Fish farms can be built in the city or in rural areas. In the city, basements and warehouses are ideal. In rural areas, outbuildings, primarily barns—barns that used to be filled with hogs— most likely, as the demand for Pork has declined in recent decades. Farmed fish are generally healthier to eat than wild fish, because their environment and their food source are completely controlled. They also grow much faster than wild fish. A trout grown in an artificial, managed pond is big enough to eat at 1 year old, but it takes 3 years to get big enough to catch and keep to eat or sell in the wild.
Shrimp Farms
American’s favorite seafood is shrimp, and these days, you can buy some fresh and tasty shrimp grown right in the heart of the Midwest. Shrimp farmers, like fish farmers, create “mini-oceans” in giant tanks—often simply above ground swimming pools—in their shed or barns. These Midwestern Shrimp farmers have to purchase bags of sea salt, special all-natural food, and of course, tanks, pumps, pipes, motors and other equipment to maintain the mock-ocean environment. Most consumers agree, farm-raised shrimp are larger, meatier and have a better flavor than imported shrimp. The cost is kept under control due to lower costs for transport. Main is a mighty long drive from Ohio. But when the customer is only 20 miles away, a cooler full of ice is sufficient to deliver a super fresh “catch of the day.” Some of these innovative entrepreneurs even deliver dinner live, swimming in a sealed plastic bag of water right out of their home tank. Now that’s fresh!
The fish farms contribute to the food cycle in the immediate area by providing their waste water as fertilizer for vegetables. This recycling of fish water is called aquaponics.
The Benefits of Home-Grown
Whatever the industry, Americans are becoming increasingly interested in “Home-Grown” everything. Locally produced, purchased and sold goods are good for any community; good for pride, accountability, economy and community self-sufficiency.
If you are interested in a top quality seafood restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio, visit Tony’s of Cincinnati. Get more info online at http://www.Tonysofcincinnati.com or by phone, (513) 677-1993.
