Today, fish farming is the fastest growing segment of agriculture and supplies 30% of the seafood consumed worldwide. Internationally recognized management expert Peter F. Drucker predicts that fish farming will be one of the three major economic opportunities in the new millennium.

Fish Farming Methodologies
There are several fish farming methodologies, including outdoor methodologies such as coastal farming, pond farming, and ocean net-pens, and also indoor recirculating aquaculture systems (“RAS”). Each methodology is particularly effective for different types of fish. Fingerlakes utilizes an indoor RAS system to grow tilapia.

Coastal Farming: Coastal pond farms are primarily located along the seashores on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The fish are fed by distributing the feed within the farm area, and harvesting is accomplished through draining the ponds. Shrimp and shellfish are often raised through coastal farming.

Pond Farming: Inland pond farms are primarily located in warmer climates. The fish are fed by spreading feed on top of the pond. The pond is harvested by dragging a net across the pond, crowding the fish into a specific area. The fish are then lifted in nets out of the pond. Catfish and hybrid striped bass are often raised in ponds.

Ocean Net-Pens: Large net-pens are placed in the ocean or in streams and stocked with fish. The fish are fed by spreading feed over the area encircled by the nets. The fish are harvested by raising the nets from the ocean. Salmon and sea bass are often raised in ocean net-pens.

Indoor RAS: Fish are raised indoors in tanks within a controlled environment. Production water is circulated through filtration systems and reused. Feed, oxygen and heat are provided based on the requirements of the fish, and wastes are filtered and removed. Indoor RAS requires greater efficiencies to offset the costs associated with maintaining the environment. Tilapia is often raised with indoor RAS.

Fingerlakes uses indoor RAS technology
Indoor RAS has advantages over other fish farming methodologies because the growing environment can be totally controlled and production facilities are not geographically constrained. The fish produced are pollution-free, disease-free, of consistent size, and can be harvested at any time. Because indoor RAS is not constrained by geography, fish can be produced in large quantities near urban centers. This means that consumers, regardless of location, can enjoy premium quality fish that are same-day fresh.

Indoor RAS is also environmentally friendly. The facilities take up very little space and do not impact the surrounding ecology. Indoor RAS provides for environmentally safe waste management through filtration and sewage treatment systems. There are no environmental limitations to the production capacity of indoor RAS systems, making it an ideal methodology to feed people in an environmentally sustainable manner.