Q&A with Katlin Tilly of The Island School
Editor’s note: The Global Aquaculture Alliance spotlights various members dedicated to GAA’s mission of responsible aquaculture. Membership starts at only $50 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses. Start utilizing our extensive benefits. Featured this month is Katlin Tilly, Food Security Manager with The Island School at The Center for Sustainable Development. Check out our full feature on The Island School.
Tell us a bit about your background.
My name is Katlin Tilly and I am from a small town in Australia, Toowoomba. I studied a dual degree in Economics and Geography at the University of Queensland. Since June 2018 I have been working with The Island School at The Center for Sustainable Development in The Bahamas, and I now work there as Food Security Manager. It has been an incredible experience.
Why did you join GAA?
We joined the GAA in January of 2019 as a way to expand our connections within the aquaculture industry as well as use it as a tool for information sharing. Not only are we able to learn more about aquaculture but we can also share our research and spread knowledge on aquaponics.
What solutions do responsible aquaculture provide?
Here at The Center for Sustainable Development, we believe that responsible aquaculture is reflected through aquaponics. Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics through a recirculating system. This reduced the input and output demands of the system. Aquaponics demonstrates responsible farming as it uses less than 1% of traditional farming, does not require soil to grow plants and uses the waste from fish as nutrients for the plants.
What are the three words that best describe the future of the industry?
Aquaponics, innovation, and creativity.
Where is the most interesting place you’ve traveled to?
I would have to say The Island School in the Bahamas. Living and working in the Bahamas has definitely been a very eye-opening and educational chapter for me. Each day I am surrounded by the beauty of the island but also the challenges that working in a remote place brings. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to work for such an amazing organisation.
Thanks for being a member, Katlin!
