Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)

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.

Biofilters are commonly used in recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS), but their limitations mean that innovators are busy developing possible alternatives – such as electro-oxidation – or enhancements, such as electro-coagulation and UASB reactors.

Dr Andrew Whiston, a marine biologist and aquaculture innovator, is attempting to revolutionise RAS technology with a system based on one founding principle - maximum efficiency and minimal waste.

Aquaponics facilities are generally more profitable than the recirculation aquaculture systems (RASs) that have sprung up in the US in the past decades.

Dupe Killa-Kafidipe, founder of Platinum Fisheries, has ambitious plans to build a modular RAS facility to help her to diversify and increase production of a range of species - from catfish to shrimp.