All food production has a sustainability impact and so does land based fish farming. However, the development of the recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) has made land based fish farming much more sustainable. Compared to traditional land based fish farming RAS technology is environmentally friendly, and the systems can be set-up almost anywhere in the world.
The main sustainability benefits of RAS are:
- Fish can be produced closer to consumer markets giving a positive impact by reducing the on CO2 emission, especially when air transport is avoided. The local production also add 2-4 days of shelf life to the fish thereby reducing food waste
- Fish escapees are avoided, no sea lice infestation, no conflict with marine life and a high biosecurity that avoids the requirement for treatment of diseases.
- Water consumption is reduced by 99%, the footprint of land use is lowered, the discharge to the environment is minimized.
The impact on nature is reduced by the zero water concept (ZWC) connected to our recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). This technology brings down the nitrate and phosphorous levels and reduces the water consumption by 99%. The technology also makes it considerably easier to retain all sludge and treat the effluent water to meet the consent levels permitted. The accumulated sludge can be used for soil improvement and fertilizing or for biogas and biodiesel.
The biggest sustainability challenge with the RAS technology is the electricity use. AKVA group design farms to minimize the consumption of electricity, and customers normally buy green electricity from wind or water turbines in addition to adding sun panels on the roof of the fish farm.