Mission and Objectives

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) swim in a tank. The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute. (Photo: Scott Tsukuda)

Background

Land-based Atlantic salmon production using recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology offers the US aquaculture industry a viable and sustainable means to expand domestic salmon production, while also increasing biosecurity, minimizing environmental impact, and improving proximity to regional markets.

As of 2022, over $2 billion has been invested in US salmon RAS production, including multiple new facilities currently in development and construction. An additional $1 billion in investments is expected within the next five years in Maryland alone.

Vision

The vision of the Recirculating Aquaculture Salmon Network (RAS-N) and the Sustainable Aquaculture Systems Supporting Atlantic Salmon (SAS²) project is to improve food security and reduce trade deficits associated with salmon imports by facilitating the growth of environmentally sustainable and economically feasible production of Atlantic salmon in the United States.

Mission

The mission of RAS-N and SAS² is to support a growing domestic land-based Atlantic salmon industry by addressing the barriers, bottlenecks, and needs of commercial RAS production

Goals and Objectives

Atlantic salmon fingerlings at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility. (Photo: Emma Wiermaa)

Enable an innovative, effective, and sustainable US Atlantic salmon production platform (RAS) that will transform US food and aquaculture systems, and increase high-quality and affordable salmon production. This will be done through capacity building and by addressing bottlenecks through research, education, and extension programming.

To accomplish this goal, we have several overarching objectives:

1. Solicit stakeholder input through active partnerships with land-based RAS industry, both in commercial production and supporting sectors (equipment, feeds and nutrition, health diagnostics, egg supply, etc).

2. Conduct research that addresses the technical, biological, and economic needs of land-based Atlantic salmon production.

3. Undertake public outreach, education, and workforce development efforts.

4. Maintain and upkeep a Concept Paper that serves as a living document of current challenges in land-based Atlantic salmon RAS and their proposed solutions.