Danish company 'Langsand Laks' has begun production at what they call the “world’s first commercial landbased Atlantic salmon farm”. Growing Atlantic salmon in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) is known to be a veritable ‘Holy Grail’ within the aquaculture industry: salmon is a high value product, and it grows exceedingly well in marine net cages, but the environmental impact is significant. RAS has been identified as a more sustainable production system, utilizing treatment and recycling of the water instead of discharging it into the environment. Restrictions have arisen based on the economics of RAS systems: they are extremely expensive to build and operate, plus a great deal of knowledge and expertise is required in the areas of engineering, hydrodynamics, fish health and biology, and waste management. With an initial production of 1,000 tonnes per year, this Danish facility will be vital pilot study into the economic feasibility of on-land, recirculation salmon production.
