Tag RAS

The operators of Hudson Valley Fish Farm see their inland locale as a pilot to prove that land-based fish farming, located in close proximity to major metropolitan markets, can be successful. 

A number of large salmon farming companies are now investing significantly to increase land-based, water recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in northern Europe and North America, and there is likely a need for more trained farm personnel to run and manage these and other close-containment aquaculture facilities. 

Past and ongoing studies at the UWSP Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (UWSP-NADF) have shown that walleye and hybrid walleye can be successfully raised indoors using early advanced spawning, incubation and rearing techniques. Marketing studies indicate good aquaculture potential and high demand. 

By raising shrimp in a closed building, producers can increase biosecurity, produce shrimp more consistently, grow shrimp year-round and locate production centers near markets. Chefs and consumers were very accepting of whole fresh shrimp, offered at a farmers market, that was farmed indoors in Kentucky. 

Biological filters are essential parts of recirculating aquaculture systems that transform toxic fish compounds such as ammonium and nitrite into less-harmful nitrate. The authors tested the convenience and efficiency of three methods for the initial inoculation of aerobic biofilters. 

The production period for largemouth bass in ponds hampers the economic feasibility of pond culture in the United States. A study demonstrated that bass fingerlings could be raised at high densities in a semi-closed recirculating system without serious mortality, size variability or growth retardation. 

Controlling total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN) concentrations is the primary concern when sizing a biofilter for use in a recirculating aquaculture system. Sizing decisions are best based on previous experience with a given biofilter media in a specific biofilter configuration. 

The water quality in recirculating aquaculture systems is generally a function of the tank size, biomass, feed inputs and waste treatment efficiency. Adequate biofiltration can control the build-up of ammonia-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen in the systems. 

Dozens of land-based, closed-containment salmonid RAS systems are coming on line. New projects are bringing new principles into the salmon industry. Industry expansion hinges upon the development of pollution-mitigating technologies to reduce nutrients in effluents. 

The benefits realized by recirculating aquaculture systems – including enhanced fish growth, product quality and survival, as well as reduced treatment costs – have made the RAS approach an important production trend. 

Geotextile bags used in combination with polymer flocculant aid chemicals can provide effective primary treatment of recirculating aquaculture system effluent. Much of the suspended solids that carry the majority of the organic load within the effluent can be captured by these systems. 

A study to evaluated operating practices and system designs that could potentially enhance depuration of off-flavors from Atlantic salmon cultured in a semi-commercial-scale freshwater recirculating aquaculture system. 

The ability to maintain adequate oxygen levels can be a limiting factor in carrying capacities for RAS. The amount of oxygen required is largely dictated by the feed rate and length of time waste solids remain within the systems. 

A unique pilot project supported by northern Chile’s biggest power-generating company and the Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture is raising cobia in a recirculating aquaculture system in the desert. 

Today’s aquaculture industry is rapidly adopting recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for hatchery and nursery applications. Recently, there has been a move to combine RAS technology with the floating raft aquaponics.