As the RAS industry continues to grow, so do the research and development demands necessary to continue to optimize the RAS production and technology.  We built our recently-completed Aquaculture Research Lab to meet this need. Here, the Freshwater Institute’s experts will continue and expand on innovative research and development of land-based fish farming technology.

The new laboratory, with an interior footprint of 40’ x 130’, will provide a controlled environment with replicated culture tanks in flow-through and partial water reuse at 13˚C.

Watch the video below for a tour of the new facility:

 The facility includes:

  • 12 replicated partial-water reuse systems, each with 5 m3 culture tanks (1,320 gallons) and individual photoperiod control
  • 1 medium-scale partial reuse system with an 18 m3 culture tank (4,800 gallons)
  • 16 replicated flow-through system tanks, each 0.57 m3 (150 gallons)
  • 6 replicated flow-through system tanks, each 1.9 m3 (515 gallons)
  • Gas balancing system for spring water supply (180 to 340 gpm)
  • Centralized closed-air-handling system to scrub CO2 from air exiting twelve cascade aeration/CO2 stripping columns
  • Biosecure entry vestibule
  • Effluent drum filtration and multiple fish exclusion barriers to prevent escapees and capture particulate waste

The new systems will be used for research focusing on:

  • Sustainable feeds, immunostimulants, and their effects on salmon performance, quality, and welfare, as well as water reuse system water quality
  • Off-flavor purging technologies and practices
  • Energy conservation and heat recovery in RAS buildings
  • Water recirculation technologies, fish densities, water quality, and makeup flushing rates
  • Benign chemotherapeutics, such as hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid
  • Environmental and husbandry practices to produce robust post-smolt Atlantic salmon with minimal advanced maturation


Why it matters

The Freshwater Institute’s new laboratory will allow it to continue to advance RAS and improved fish feeds for large-scale production of fish such as Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. These developments make it possible to produce fish in a way that recycles water, repurposes waste for fertilizer and can be located next to any market, expanding consumer access to sustainably-raised, fresh and local seafood, no matter where they are.