March 18, 2021| RAS Talk Podcast

Feeds are a critical component of any RAS production environment – it can make or break the health of both fish and systems. This episode provides a variety of perspectives when it comes to fish feeds in closed containment, land-based aquaculture. Co-hosts Mari-Len De Guzman and Brian Vinci hash out the details of diets made for RAS.

Guests:

John Ng, president, Hudson Valley Fish Farm

Kim Schøn Ekmann, senior product developer, BioMar

George Nardi, VP of aquaculture services, Innovasea

March 6, 2021| RAS Talk Podcast
Featuring the tech brains behind the innovative startup ReelData, this episode discusses the various applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning to aquaculture, particularly in land-based farming. ReelData CEO Mathew Zimola and CTO Hossein Salimian are the guests for this high-tech conversation.

January 14, 2021| RAS Talk Podcast
RAS Talk hosts Mari-Len De Guzman and Brian Vinci talk about the year that was and the year ahead. From COVID-19 and RAS milestones to trends in sustainable food production systems and technologies, this podcast episode provides a rundown on the most important developments in 2020 and what to look forward to in 2021.

October 20, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast

In this RAS Talk episode hosts Mari-Len De Guzman and Brian Vinci talk about the various aspects of investing in RAS. It’s an engaging discussion about investors’ perspectives in RAS technology and land-based aquaculture, the risks and the opportunities as well as their outlook on the sector.

Guests:

Maggie Fried, Head of the Oceans and Aquaculture Investor Consortium, CREO Syndicate

Frank van Roest, Investment Director, Aqua Spark

September 2, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast

RAS engineering and design specialist Marc Sorensen takes us through the history and evolution of RAS in aquaculture. Co-host Brian Vinci also provides his insights on the beginnings of RAS technology. In this episode, we get into the technical details of the why, the how, as well as the current and emerging challenges involved in designing and operating a recirculating aquaculture system.

Guest: Marc Sorensen, president, Sorensen Engineering Ltd.

June 12, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast

It started out as a small RAS operation in his home basement, today founder Eric Pedersen’s Ideal Fish is successfully producing Branzino for the U.S. domestic market. We talk to Pedersen and Ideal Fish’s sales and marketing director James MacKnight about the company’s journey, its innovative strategies to reach the market, and its quest to educate the consumers about RAS-grown fish.

Guests:

Eric Pedersen, president and CEO, Ideal Fish

James MacKnight, sales and marketing director, Ideal Fish

April 28, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast

Women account for 70 percent of the world’s seafood workers. However, many of them work in entry level, low-paying jobs and very few are in leadership roles. Is the industry paying enough attention to diversity in the aquaculture industry? Is gender diversity playing a factor into the design of RAS facilities? What resources exist for women in aquaculture for skills development and training that will allow them to move into leadership roles? These questions and more are discussed in this episode of RAS Talk.

Guest co-host: Anna DiCocco, fish culture technician, Freshwater Institute

Guests: Astrid Buran Holan, head of innovation, land-based, ScaleAQ; and Christi Dimon, farm operator, Bluehouse Miami, Atlantic Sapphire

March 30, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast

The aquaculture industry continues to face challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. From social distancing protocols to mandatory work-from-home policies, how are RAS producers managing the day-to-day farm operations in this new norm? This episode is a discussion on Covid-19 and the impact it’s having on RAS operations, with hosts Mari-Len De Guzman and Brian Vinci, and guests from New York-based Hudson Valley Fish Farms: John Ng, CEO, and Brittany Peachey, aquaculture operations manager.

March 25, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast

As RAS operations across the world ramp up, it is increasingly important to effectively address off-flavour issues in RAS-grown fish. The research is available for effective mitigation measures and many RAS producers are successfully implementing these recommendations. Justin Henry, director of aquaculture at Habitat Life, and John Davidson, research scientist at the Freshwater Institute, discuss some best practices in mitigating off-flavours.

Guests:

Justin Henry, director of aquaculture, Habitat Life

John Davidson, research scientist, Freshwater Institute

February 26, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast

Podcasting from Honolulu, Hawaii, host Mari-Len De Guzman attended the Aquaculture America conference where she caught up with Kimberley Player, director of research at Portland, Oregon-based Equilibrium Capital. The company manages sustainability-driven real asset investment strategies and products for institutional investors. The potential of RAS for sustainability and financial gains is making it an appealing proposition for investors. Mari-Len chatted with Kimberley about the opportunities and challenges for investments within the RAS value chain. If your RAS project is ready to scale, this podcast episode is worth a listen.

February 11, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast
Do you have what it takes to work in a RAS operation? This episode of RAS Talk tackles the current challenges as well as strategies for hiring the right people. Hosts Mari-Len De Guzman and Brian Vinci talk with Cristina Espejo, head of HR and ESAP (environmental and social action plan) at Atlantic Sapphire in Miami, Florida, and Kirk Havercroft, CEO of Sustainable Blue in Nova Scotia, Canada. These two companies are not just investing in the technology, but more importantly, they are investing in their people to develop a highly-skilled and competent RAS workforce.

January 22, 2020| RAS Talk Podcast

All eyes are on Maine as an emerging destination for RAS development projects. In this episode, co-hosts Mari-Len De Guzman, editor of RAStech, and Brian Vinci, director, The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute, explores the issues and developments at one of Maine’s RAS pioneers – Nordic Aquafarms. Guest Erik Heim, president of Nordic Aquafarms, takes us through the strategies and factors that led his company to choose Maine as the site for its proposed US$500-million Atlantic salmon RAS farm, as well as the challenges and lessons learned through the process.

October 14, 2015| Freshwater Institute

The annual Aquaculture Innovation Workshop (AIW) is dedicated to the discussion and presentation of the latest developments in aquaculture technology. The workshop aims to further the vision of sustainable aquaculture and foster innovation in the field. Over two days, a multitude of speakers present their insights, experimental findings, and general commentary on the industry. If you would like to find out more on past AIW conferences, please feel free to browse through the information below:

  • AIW 1: January 17-18, 2011; Shepherdstown, WV, USA
  • AIW 2: September 26-27, 2011; Campbell River, BC, Canada
  • AIW 3: May 15-16, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA
  • AIW 4: November 5-6, 2012; Comox, BC, Canada
  • AIW 5: September 4-6, 2013; Shepherdstown, WV, USA
  • AIW 6: October 27-28, 2014: Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • AIW 7: October 13-15, 2015; Shepherdstown, WV, USA
  • AIW 8: August 19-21, 2016; Roanoke, VA, USA
  • AIW 9: November 29-30, 2017; Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • AIW 10: December 4-6, 2018; Miami, FL, USA

 



















October 14, 2015| Freshwater Institute

The annual Aquaculture Innovation Workshop (AIW) is dedicated to the presentation of the latest developments in sustainable aquaculture. AIW participants come to discuss sustainable aquaculture seafood production and work to elevate an industry they feel passionately helps improve public health, protects the ocean and natural resources, and is economically viable. Leading representatives from all parts of the aquaculture seafood value chain attend the AIW, including investors, feed suppliers, producers, processors, retailers, chefs, and consumers.

WHEN IS THE NEXT AIW?

We anticipate scheduling the next AIW to take place in the late 2022 or early 2023. However, due to the uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic, we feel it would be premature to move forward with the planning at this time.  As soon as we have details for the new dates we will be in contact with you. We thank you for your understanding. If you have additional questions, please reach out to us directly by contacting our AIW coordinator, Kata Sharrer at ksharrer@conservationfund.org.

RESOURCES FROM PAST WORKSHOPS

Click here to view downloadable content (presentations, programs, etc.) from past workshops (2011–2018).

October 14, 2015| Freshwater Institute

FI photo

This four-day course on water recirculating aquaculture systems started in 1995 at Cornell University in cooperation with Freshwater Institute staff. The course was held at Cornell University until 1999, after which it was held at the Freshwater Institute as a combined Cornell University/Freshwater Institute course. Course participants were initially university extension associates, however current participants include representatives from commercial fish farms, government fish hatcheries, tribal fish hatcheries, government regulators, universities, research organizations, legislative offices, and fish and wildlife organizations. The combined course continued through 2006, after which the course was taught independently by both institutions until Cornell University stopped offering a classroom course. Current course content covers the fundamentals of water recirculating systems for fish culture including mass balances to maintain water quality, unit process design, and system operation. Course topics include the following:

  • RAS Overview
  • RAS Water Quality
  • Mass Balances
  • Pumping and Piping
  • Circular Tank Design
  • Solids Control & Management
  • Oxygenation
  • Carbon Dioxide control
  • Biofiltration
  • Ozone & UV Processes
  • Fish Health & Biosecurity
  • Monitoring RAS Water Quality
  • RAS Management & Operations
  • RAS Design Examples

Course materials provided to participants include a binder of all presentations and a copy of the book Recirculating Aquaculture. The course includes a tour of a RAS facility for hands-on explanation of the engineering and operation. Custom variations of the four-day course (e.g., two-day versions) are available upon request. Custom courses have been provided for a variety of organizations including Marine Harvest Canada, Marine Harvest Norway, Cooke Aquaculture, USFWS, Bonneville Power Administration, California Fish & Wildlife, and Alltech Brazil.


2023 RAS COURSE

The 2023 RAS Course is scheduled for the week of September 18–22 in Shepherdstown, WV at the National Conservation Training Center. The course includes a tour of the RAS facilities at the Freshwater Institute.

 

COURSE instructors

  • Brian Vinci, Chris Good, John Davidson, Travis May, Natalie Redman – Freshwater Institute
  • Ed Aneshansley – HTL Sustainable Foods

REGISTRATION

Course registration includes course materials, transport to/from the tour of the Freshwater Institute, all-day coffee and drinks; lodging and meals are not included in registration. Registration to begin in Spring/Summer 2023.

LODGING

National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25414

NCTC’s lodging and meals are a package cost based on current GSA guidelines. CLICK HERE for rates. Reservations to begin Spring/Summer 2023.

If you have questions about the RAS course please contact Kata Sharrer (ksharrer@conservationfund.org | 1-304-870-2209).

December 31, 2014| Freshwater Institute

For over 30 years, Freshwater Institute scientists and engineers have published their work to share results with as wide an audience as possible. We are passionate about communicating what we find to those who can use the information. As such, we are committed to publishing our results in various outlets to reach as many stakeholders as possible. Just click on a publication’s title in the list below to access it. If you would like to discuss our research in-depth, please contact any Freshwater Institute staff member listed as an author or co-author; we would be pleased to hear from you.

 

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December 31, 2014| Freshwater Institute

For over 30 years, Freshwater Institute scientists and engineers have published their work to share results with as wide an audience as possible. We are passionate about communicating what we find to those who can use the information. As such, we are committed to Open Access (OA) science and where possible we have provided a link to access publications at no cost, generally under Creative Commons (CC BY) license. Just click on the publication’s title in the list below to access a publication. If you would like to discuss our research in depth please contact any Freshwater Institute staff member listed as an author or co-author; we would be pleased to hear from you. 

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