Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are land-based aquaculture systems that continuously treat, filter, and reuse water inside a closed production loop. By maintaining stable water quality, temperature, and biosecurity, RAS gives producers far greater control than traditional open-pen or flow-through systems. This leads to improved growth performance, higher survival rates, and reduced environmental impacts.

Why RAS Matters for Canada

Aquaculture continues to play a growing role in Canada’s food production and coastal economy. According to Statistics Canada, national aquaculture sales reached approximately CAD $1.3 billion in 2023, highlighting the sector’s importance as seafood demand increases across the country. - source: Statistics Canada

On a global scale, farmed aquaculture production has already surpassed wild-capture fisheries, marking a major shift in how the world sources seafood. This trend reinforces the need for scalable, controlled-production technologies such as RAS that can support consistent year-round output. - source: Reuters

At the same time, regulatory changes — including policies to phase out or limit open-net pens in regions like British Columbia — are accelerating interest in closed-containment and land-based systems. These shifts are creating a significant opportunity for RAS adoption, especially among producers seeking higher environmental standards, improved social license, and long-term operational stability. - source: The Guardian

Main Benefits of RAS (At a Glance)

• Water efficiency
RAS dramatically reduces freshwater use by recirculating the majority of system water, making it more sustainable than flow-through operations.

• Stronger biosecurity & disease control
Closed systems prevent direct interaction with wild stocks, lowering the risk of disease transfer and improving overall stock health.

• Location flexibility
Because RAS does not require ocean access, facilities can be built closer to major markets, reducing transportation costs and improving freshness.

• Year-round, climate-resilient production
Controlled environments protect production from Canada’s seasonal temperature extremes, enabling stable yields regardless of weather conditions.

OceanStar Can Support Your RAS Project

If you are exploring RAS development or want to enhance an existing system, OceanStar Technologies can help.
 We provide advanced solutions for:

• Water-quality monitoring
  
• Smart IoT integration
  
• Predictive analytics for system stability
  
• Automation and environmental control
  
• End-to-end data insights for improved decision-making
  

Interested in piloting a RAS or improving performance with smart monitoring tools?
Contact OceanStar Technologies for a consultation.
 📩 oceanstartechnologies@gmail.com