Encore: Growing Sea Purslane in a Saltwater Aquaponic System

By Mike Kiniry,

Julie Glenn

Published May 28, 2019 at 12:46 PM EDT

Dr. Kevan Main, Senior Scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory, and Gil Sharell of Aquatic Plants of Florida, work together in a saltwater aquaponics greenhouse that raises plants using nutrients from marine fish wastewater at Mote Aquaculture Research Park.

A researcher at Mote Marine Laboratory is growing a “sea-green delicacy” called sea purslane in a novel aquaponic system that's also raising red fish. Dr. Kevan Main, a senior scientist at the laboratory in Sarasota, also developed a “Sea Purslane Cookbook” to help locals enjoy the generally overlooked coastal vegetable. She joins us to tell us more about sea purslane, and discuss the details of her aquaponic system and cookbook.