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AQUAUCLATURE
                        Research and Studies 00 (0): 00-00, 2026

                          Doi:
                         Research Article                                          Open Access

                                    Policy Frameworks for Scaling Integrated Multi-
                                    Trophic Aquaponics (IMTA) -Aquaponic Systems
                                  with Decision Support Systems (DSS) in the Mediter-
                                                        ranean Region.
                        Ashraf M.A.-S. Goda & Nevine M. Abou Shabana*
                         National Institute of Oceanography   Abstract: The integration of aquatic animals and horticul-
                         and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo 11516,
                         Egypt               tural  production  through  aquaponics  has  been  recently
                         *Corresponding au-  studied and endorsed by scientists as a real, sustainable so-
                         thor:               lution to optimize the reuse of nutrient and water resources
                         National Institute of Oceanography   in food production. The present study (HortiMED H2020
                         and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo 11516,   PRIMA Project-Grant Number 1915) has demonstrated the
                         Egypt
                         anny666mb@ya-       potential of advanced greenhouse technologies such as De-
                         hoo.com             cision Support Systems (DSS), Integrated Multi-Trophic
                                             Aquaponics (IMTA), and smart automation to enhance re-
                                             source efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in Med-
                                             iterranean  agriculture.  However,  widespread  adoption
                                             faces  challenges,  including  high  initial  costs,  technical

                                             complexity, and market volatility. However, obstacles in-
                                             cluding high starting costs, technical difficulty, and market
                                             volatility stand in the way of widespread adoption. In order
                                             to ensure regional food security, environmental sustaina-

                                             bility,  and  economic  resilience,  this  study makes  policy
                                             recommendations  to  accelerate  the  deployment  of  Hor-
                                             tiMED technology. In the same context, HortiMED project
                                             highlights that Smart Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquacul-
                                             ture  (IMTA)-Aquaponics  systems,  enhanced  with  AI-

                                             driven Decision Support Systems (DSS) and renewable en-
                                             ergy,  significantly  improve  sustainability,  productivity,
                                             and economic viability in Mediterranean greenhouse farm-
                                             ing. Key outcomes include a 90% reduction in water use

                                             through closed-loop recycling, a 50% decrease in energy
                                             costs  via  solar-powered  automation,  a  57%  increase  in
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