AQUAPONIC TECHNOLOGY AS A CATALYST TO BRING SUSTAINABLE SALMON PRODUCTION OUT OF THE NET PEN AND INTO LAND BASED RAS FACILITIES

Environmentally controlled Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are continually increasing in popularity due to their water efficiency, increased biosecurity, increased growth rates, decreased mortality rates, reduction of environmental impact and the increased understanding and acceptance of RAS technology by aquaculturists worldwide. Integrated aquaculture or "Aquaponics" is taking RAS efficiency one step further by utilizing the waste created during production to grow a profitable plant product.  Aquaponic technology has been further refined in recent years as aquaculturists look for new ways to increase profit margins and product offerings while also decreasing waste streams flowing from their farms.

Salmon is one of the worlds most consumed fish and farmed salmon makes up 70% of the total salmon consumed. Land based smolt production in RAS is continually increasing, as is the size of smolt required by the industry, yet the vast majority of grow out is still done in net pen production due to cheaper startup costs, faster ROI and lack of long term business successes in land based production. The industry continues to grow at a fast pace, while in many areas of the world water restrictions and discharge regulations are becoming tighter, requiring farmers to do more with less.

With populations increasing, as well as an increase in dietary recommendations to consume more fish, it is clear that salmon consumption will continue to rise in the future as will the need to efficiently farm salmon in an environmentally and socially acceptable way. Further increasing the efficiency of the RAS business model by utilizing aquaponic technologies increases profit margins, diversifies revenue streams, lowers overall risk and opens serious possibilities of bringing the salmon industry onshore permanently.