At present, it is estimated that over half of the world's seafood is produced from using aquaculture methods. There are many people who still aren't aware of aquaponics and how it works, but the popularity for this growing method has drastically increased over the last several years.
Whether it is aquaponics, hydroponics, vertical gardening, or underground greenhouses etc, there are increasing ways that people are looking to get creative with their homesteading goals and trying to produce food for themselves in the most efficient way.
Many people turn to a method like aquaponics because they believe that this system is superior as far as being sustainable both economically and environmentally, compared to conventional methods. It offers people more ability to be able to produce locally. Not only are a number of universities in the United States now researching the area of aquaponics, but many people around the world are starting to use these systems not only in the developed areas.
Aquaponics systems can be very large scale commercial operations and they can also be a lot smaller and more individual, just big enough for one family or one individual. But it is clear that this growing method is not only convenient but it also producing a variety of benefits, which is why more people are looking to get involved with it.
With the aquaponics system, the system is able to recycle the water, so that people who use this system are able to grow in areas where there isn't much water and prevalent droughts etc. With this type of growing method there is also going to be less pests that you will need to deal with because the operation is indoors. Not only that but it has also been claimed that the plants grow much faster this way than they would with conventional methods, it is said to grow faster because of the naturally fortified water thanks to the fish. Many say that this growing method is the future of food production.
Sources:
http://phys.org/news/2016-09-illinois-tech-scientists-aquaponics-farm.html
http://permaculturenews.org/2014/10/14/worlds-largest-aquaponics-project-chinas-third-largest-aquaculture-lake/
https://www.ft.com/content/d264ab16-a435-11e5-873f-68411a84f346
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20160410/SMALLBIZ/160409882/once-just-a-hobby-aquaponics-could-be-the-future-for-growing-food-in-new-york-city