RAS - a better choice than other forms of aquaculture

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are closed-loop facilities that retain and treat the water within the system. RAS should be seriously considered for expanded use in the United States to help meet rising seafood demand with cleaner, greener, safer domestic fish, rather than looking to imports or farmed fish from open water facilities.

Methods unique to RAS for growing fish provide an opportunity to supplement wild-caught fish with other seafood produced in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner. RAS are not connected to open waters. Because it is unlikely that fish will escape the closed system, RAS can be used to grow a wide range of plants and fish without threatening the environment or competing with fishermen who make their living selling popular local fish.  For example, tilapia is a popular fish that grows well in RAS, and there is no wild fishery for tilapia in the U.S.

New RAS finfish and shrimp farms are popping up throughout the United States, and many are working to increase environmental sustainability, for example, by reducing energy usage, and being compact enough to locate on otherwise unusable urban properties.

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Water Usage in Recirculating Aquaculture/Aquaponic Systems

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