Sturgeon farming in Heckmondwike
The ESF Green Futures project in Kirklees, Yorkshire is pioneering an innovative fish farming project that offers training opportunities to local unemployed people at the lake-side Table Top (ABLE 2) site in Heckmondwike. The fish they will be looking after are no ordinary fish; they will be rearing sturgeon, rare visitors to English waters which are designated as “royal” fish, the property of the Crown when caught in the UK.
The farming process employs a system called aquaponics, where the water in which the fish are farmed, which is high in nutrients, is re-used to grow food crops which extract these nutrients from the water assisting in the filtration process. The training, which is taking place in November and December this year, will show unemployed people not only how to rear the fish, but also how to grow crops using the fish waste water. The aquaponics training will include the use of inland grown proteins as a fish meal supplement leading to a more whole system approach to fish farming more suited to a changing climate.
Green Futures, is part of the ESF Innovation, Transnationality and Mainstreaming (ITM) Skills for Climate Change project, ‘Low Carbon Living and Working’ delivered by Kirklees Council. This was developed to support a small range of strategic, regional projects to develop and deliver new ways of extending employment opportunities. One of these projects is ‘Green Futures’ which is being delivered in partnership by Green Business Network and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
The sturgeon farming is part of what aims to be a long term partnership in developing innovative ways to give unemployed people a start into work by learning real and practical skills with real employers. Other activities on the project include the excavation and lining of a lake which is now complete, and the design, development and self build of a visitors centre café which will be floating on pontoon blocks.
All the training activities associated with these works are elements of the Skills for Climate Change programme and have been used to gain practical experience. This will increase skills and improve employment opportunities for Kirklees residents who are currently unemployed and seeking employment, including referrals of young ex-offenders from the Probation Service.
Lead partners Green Business Network already receive national and international visitors at this site and they are also working with Green Futures to set up a low carbon teaching farm at Stirley Farm, Newsome, all with the support of ESF ITM funding. Both these sites have now become satellite centres to offer the training programmes.
A full case study and video footage from the project will soon be appearing on the ESF-Works website.