Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)

Francisco Murillo is perplexed by the hundreds of millions of dollars wasted on failing RAS projects, when a fraction of the funding could help proven businesses like Tropo Farms produce tens of thousands more tonnes of tilapia a year.

A compound in the middle of an avocado and orange orchard, half an hour from the coast of Israel, might be an unlikely place for a marine finfish farm, but it has its advantages, according to Pure Blue Fish, a startup that’s developed a unique RAS concept.

Following promising results from its pilot plant, OoNee has set its sights on building a 200 raceway urchin ranch in Oregon – helping to save kelp forests and produce a significant quantity of a prized seafood.

A project in Duhok, in Iraqi Kurdistan, aims to produce up to 60,000 tonnes of carp a year, offering economic hope and improved food security in this fragile region.

Despite the struggles of some of barramundi’s most ambitious farmers, production of the species continues to grow, as does innovation in the sector.

Lana Fish Company produces tilapia, carp, ornamental fish and even rainbow trout – despite being located in the Saudi Arabian desert – as executive director, Ibrahim Al-Madbouly, explains.

The salmon farming sector will need to be smart to stay ahead of environmental challenges, according to Ben Perry, head of sales at Ace Aquatech.

Professor Kevin Fitzsimmons has an optimistic outlook for the global aquaculture sector, especially in terms of alternative aquafeed ingredients, but is deeply concerned how plans to raise import tariffs in the US will impact both the domestic seafood market a…

Steve Sutton, founder of the up-and-coming shrimp producing company TransparentSea, explains his vision for establishing an indoor shrimp farm to supply the high-value Californian market.

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) present a promising pathway for sustainable seafood production, yet there are still numerous uncertainties – both for operators and potential investors – which urgently need to be overcome.

Mazen Elsawaf, technical director of Maher fish farm in Saudi Arabia and a strong advocate of RAS, represents a new generation of ambitious young Egyptians in aquaculture.

Gabriel Thomas Kimeu, 27, is a computer science graduate who set up a RAS tilapia, catfish and ornamental fish farm in eastern Kenya and has major ambitions to grow.

Eva Keferböck, CEO of White Panther, an Austrian clearwater shrimp producer, explains why they abandoned biofloc, how their farm is hugely self-sufficient and when she expects to turn a profit.

Black soldier fly producers are being invited to trial – for free – an innovative filtration system that uses microalgae, sometimes paired with oysters, to remove phosphorous and nitrates from their waste water.