Florida red drum farmer breaks ground on new RAS facility

Land-based redfish producer  to expand commercial production in southwest Florida while integrating nutrient recovery and mangrove restoration

Florida-based aquaculture company Pine Island Redfish has started construction of a new land-based redfish production facility in southwest Florida after securing $6 million in Series A funding.

The facility, located on Pine Island in Lee County, will expand the company’s commercial redfish production, also known as red drum, using recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology.

Pine Island Redfish said it has secured all necessary permits and is beginning construction on a property with more than 80 acres available for development, allowing for phased expansion.

“Breaking ground on Pine Island is an exciting milestone for our company and will fulfill a substantial demand for locally produced seafood,” said Megan Sorby, co-founder and CEO of Pine Island Redfish. “We’ve proven our production model, built strong relationships with customers and demonstrated real demand for our redfish. Now, with the support of our investors, we’re ready to take the next step and expand production on our namesake Pine Island.”

The company developed and tested its commercial production model at Mote Aquaculture Research Park in Sarasota, where it will continue raising redfish while construction progresses at the new site.

Pine Island Redfish said demand from retailers, restaurants and chefs has supported its expansion plans. The company identified Publix as one of its retail partners.

“The response from the market has been incredibly encouraging,” Sorby said. “From retail partners like Publix, which has been a strong supporter of Florida aquaculture, to chefs and restaurant groups asking for more product, we’re seeing real enthusiasm for what we’re producing.”

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The new facility will also incorporate the company’s approach to regenerative aquaculture, which involves recovering nutrients generated during fish production and using them to grow plants.

A central part of that effort is mangrove cultivation for coastal restoration. Pine Island Redfish said it has worked with community partners to cultivate and replant nearly 75,000 mangroves across southwest Florida, from Lee County to Sarasota County.

Mangrove cultivation is already underway at the Pine Island property, where the nursery will expand alongside the company’s aquaculture operations.

“For us, sustainability goes beyond how we raise our fish,” Sorby said. “It’s about finding value in the resources our systems produce and putting them back to work.”

The company said it will continue improving production efficiency and developing the new facility in phases, although it did not provide a construction completion date or production capacity target.