Meet the farmerAquantic Fish Farm: where traditional and cutting-edge aquaculture meet

Can you tell me a bit about your background?

I hold a bachelor’s degree in aquaculture from Suez Canal University. My professional journey began with Egypt’s National Company for Fisheries and Aquaculture. I then worked at Shrimp Oasis, a project affiliated with Al-Komi Company, followed by a role at Al-Ikhlas Shrimp Hatchery [all also in Egypt].

In addition to my technical experience, I was the founder and CEO of 3lfa Company, a startup specialising in the development of alternative feed ingredients, especially algae for fish and shrimp hatchery feeds, such as Chlorella sp, Tetraselmis sp, and Nannochloropsis oculate.

The company is currently in the redevelopment phase, with plans to resume operations in the near future.

Currently, I serve as the director of Aquantic Fish Farm in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, where we focus on the production of tilapia. I am also pursuing a master’s degree in fish nutrition.

What sort of production system do you currently operate at Aquantic?

We utilise a traditional integrated aquaculture-agriculture system, where nutrient-rich water from the fish ponds is used to irrigate date palms and a variety of crops. The total farm spans 55,000 square metres, with 20,000 square metres dedicated to fish ponds.

The aquaculture facility includes a biofloc section consisting of 20 circular tanks, each with a diameter of 10 metres, yielding an annual production of approximately 80 tonnes. Additionally, the farm features 40 more circular tanks of the same size, with a combined annual production of around 320 tonnes. There are two production cycles per year, each lasting 4 to 5 months. Each tank has a capacity of about 4 tonnes, with the target harvest size set at 500 grams per fish.

The hatchery and nursery area occupies 2,000 square metres and has an annual production capacity of 700,000 fingerlings, covering the farm's stocking requirements.

We are currently in the process of establishing an aquaponic system to maximise resource utilisation and improve water efficiency. Additionally, we are developing a dedicated RAS unit for rainbow trout farming.

Can you describe your current role and what a typical day at work involves for you?

My daily routine at the fish farm involves monitoring the overall health and behaviour of the fish. I regularly check key water parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and nitrate levels. To evaluate growth, I conduct random sampling of fish to assess feed conversion ratios. In addition, I closely follow biosecurity schedules, to prevent potential health risks before they arise. All observations, measurements and activities are recorded in detailed reports for each section of the farm.

What have been the farm’s major milestones so far?

The farm is distinguished by its efforts to improve local tilapia strains through selective breeding. Given that Saudi Arabia is not a native habitat for tilapia, we have successfully developed strains that are more resilient to high temperatures and demonstrate faster growth rates. This has been supported by the use of natural additives such as spirulina algae to boost immunity, enhance growth performance, and improve the overall taste and quality of the fish.

We place strong emphasis on biological health and sustainability and maintain a zero-antibiotic policy throughout our operations.

Thanks to our practices, Aquantic Fish Farm is recognised among the top ten aquaculture farms in the Dammam region.

What are the key challenges that still need to be addressed?

One of the key challenges we face is water scarcity, as the farm relies entirely on groundwater wells for its operations. Additionally, the region’s high temperatures present another significant challenge.

Do you have any plans for developing the project?

We are advancing our efforts to improve tilapia strains, focusing on developing more adaptable and faster-growing varieties. At the same time, we are executing our expansion plan, with the completion of an aquaponics section as well as a RAS for rainbow trout production.

What are your long-term ambitions?

For our farm to become a role model for anyone who wants to start a farm that not only generates strong financial returns but also protects the environment as an advanced, sustainable model of what a modern farm should be.

On a personal level, I plan to complete my master’s studies and contribute to the development of innovative methods that support farm operations. One key goal is to create a system that allows each farm to formulate its own feed, tailored to the specific conditions and fish species of each farm.

Additionally, I also intend to relaunch my 3lfa company once our current development phase is complete.

If you could solve one issue in the aquaculture industry, what would it be?

One of the main challenges in fish farm management is the lack of structured planning and the prevalence of randomness in decision making. Fish farming is not just about fish tanks. it’s a comprehensive system. Without a well-organised and integrated approach, the farm's performance and profitability are at risk.

What production systems do you think have the most scope for growing Middle Eastern aquaculture in the coming years?

From my point of view, all aquaculture systems have the potential to be successful. However, their success depends on carefully selecting the right system, based on key criteria such as location, economic and environmental feasibility, and the suitability of the fish species chosen before establishing the farm.

In areas where water is scarce, integrated systems, aquaponics and biofloc offer particularly promising solutions.