© Innovasea
In 2025, Innovasea’s SeaProtean Pens were installed and stocked, marking the first time this pen was deployed in the Red Sea region. This project is part of Topian’s aquaculture initiative, the sustainable food component of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project.
Despite a summer of intense heat, the SeaProtean’s industry- leading buoyancy-control system and fully submersible design allowed operators to safely move fish further down in the water column and below the thermocline. This resulted in no mortalities due to heat, allowing the fish to survive the harsh summer temperatures. Furthermore, in moving the entire system below the surface, Topian can effectively grow temperature- sensitive fish while preserving the sea’s natural beauty.
“The SeaProtean Pen is engineered to support fish in extreme environments, such as the high surface temperatures of the Red Sea,” said Innovasea’s general manager of aquaculture systems, Marc Turano, in a press release. “By using fully submersible pens, our clients can now expand aquaculture into regions previously deemed unfeasible.”
To ensure optimal performance, the pens were outfitted with the latest, most advanced technology in precision aquaculture. Environmental sensors monitor changing water conditions, AI-powered biomass cameras accurately track growth projections and high-definition cameras offer full visibility into underwater operations.
Additionally, using Innovasea’s FlowFeeder waterborne feeding system, farm operators can automatically and remotely deliver feed to fish below the surface, cutting down on feed waste, reducing energy costs, and lowering the number of lost feed days due to inclement weather.
Operators can then track all of this information in Innovasea’s precision aquaculture platform, Realfish Pro. This cloud-based solution combines real-time data with powerful analytics and advanced modules to track operations and support data-driven operations.
“We are excited to collaborate with Topian to bring the latest aquaculture technology to the region,” added Mark Jollymore, Innovasea chief executive. “It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the benefits of precision aquaculture and lay the groundwork for what could become a significant growth area.”
Food security is a key element of the NEOM project, with a focus on providing sustainable, high-quality nutrition. Topian's aquacultural initiative offers access to local fish populations, thereby reducing reliance on imports in an environmentally responsible manner.
“The adoption of this breakthrough technology demonstrates our commitment to leveraging the latest advancements to improve nutrition and ensure sustainability,” added Majid Mufti, chief executive of the NEOM Investment Fund (NIF). “Topian’s aquaculture initiatives will ensure access to tasty, local fish species that are a source of high-quality protein and help reduce reliance on food imports in an environmentally responsible way.”
