Amazon Aquaponics CLG is an Irish non-profit building aquaponic systems that reconnect communities with food, water, and the natural world. From a school classroom in Dublin to a remote Achuar community deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, we design and build practical, low-cost systems that grow food while helping clean polluted water naturally — and we share everything we learn.
It started with a simple idea from a teenage student. It has grown into five connected projects spanning two countries, three ecosystems, and a growing network of schools, communities, researchers, and indigenous partners.
We don’t just build systems. We build understanding.
Fish Feed Plants. Plants Clean Water. Nature Grows Food.
Amazon Aquaponics is an Irish organisation developing nature-based solutions that reconnect food, water, and community.
We design and deliver aquaponic systems that support food production, water filtration, and biodiversity restoration.
Our work draws on over 20 years of aquaponics expertise through our technical partners, Charles Carr and Kedar Friis-Lawrence.
We work across Ireland, Wales, and the Ecuadorian Amazon, where our focus is on practical, adaptable systems that respond to local environmental and community needs.
Who we are
Founder of Emerald Aquaponics. The technical lead and leading expert behind every Amazon Aquaponics installation. Over two decades of hands-on experience designing, building, and refining aquaponic systems. Previous projects include the Belvedere College Urban Farm, research systems with Trinity College Dublin and the Marine Institute, School Excellence Aquaponics Programme: Design and construction of aquaponics systems across four schools, and commercial food production infrastructure.
Co-founder of Emerald Aquaponics. The build lead — responsible for transforming system designs into working, well-crafted physical installations that inspire and inform. Together, Charles and Kedar bring over 20 years’ combined experience to every project.
It started with Paddy. SEAI Youth Climate Champion 2020 and Ireland delegate to the Youth Assembly on Climate Change. Winner of his school’s Dragon’s Den & Enterprise Ireland Student Awards for best Innovation — using aquaponics to link sustainable food production with science curriculum learning — set Amazon Aquaponics in motion. Since then, he has communicated directly with the Achuar Nation in Ecuador, developing the Sharamentsa project and pilot training programme green-lit by Achuar community leaders for June 2026.
Bernadette Shanahan has over 20 years’ experience managing multi-stakeholder projects, operations, governance and budget oversight and 20 yrs own business ownership. Her experience is supported by qualifications in corporate governance and sustainability leadership. Responsible for the strategic direction, partnerships, and programme delivery of Amazon Aquaponics. Member of the Giving Circle of Ireland since its inception in 2017.