Restoration Aquaculture: Reconciling Aquatic Creatures and Ecosystems to Enhance Fruitfulness for All

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, everything was aquaculture. God was creating out of a watery chaos an ordered and good world. For six days God created before saying, "Let us create A'dam in our image, male and female let us create them." Over the course of history, humans have been fruitful, but other creatures' fruitfulness has been reduced by the deeds of nearly 10 billion humans on the planet. Among problems are energy use, reduction of habitat, loss of species, and the harmful results of producing food. In God's Good World—Reclaiming the Doctrine of Creation, Jonathan Wilson articulates a "doctrine of creation" that invites Christians to consider what justice for all God's creation might entail, including all humans and other species. At this juncture, how can we approach restoration of order and goodness? Genesis 2:15 tells us to shmar and abad—protect and serve—creation. Jesus the great restorer charges us to care for "the least of these" (Matt. 25:40): people with limited food, water, and housing. Wilson would want us to add caring for the least of the newts, nutrients, and neutrons. In this article, we explore aquaculture for food, including species such as alligators and sturgeon; ecosystem restoration, including aquaponics coupling fish and plants; and reef systems that host many species. We contend that wisely managed restoration can provide for humans while also caring for creation, enhancing justice for this interconnected and intricate creation that isn't just good but is very good.