Recirculating Aquaculture Salmon Network (RAS-N)

Fueled by the ever-increasing imports of Atlantic salmon to the US, and the challenges of expanding domestic net-pen production of this species, we are now witnessing major investments in US land-based production of Atlantic salmon. To help build capacity for this rapidly expanding industry, NOAA/Sea Grant have funded a national public-private consortium, led by Dr. Yonathan Zohar, aimed at “building capacity for land-based Atlantic salmon aquaculture in the US." This consortium, the Recirculating Aquaculture Salmon Network (RAS-N), consists of academia, industry and federal labs in five states across the US. RAS-N’s mission is to facilitate the growth of environmentally sustainable and economically feasible Atlantic salmon RAS production in this country, in order to provide better food security and reduce the current trade deficit associated with salmon imports. RAS-N works closely with US stakeholders in order to establish a holistic hub of knowledge that integrates past, current and future research, as well as economic analysis, extension, outreach & education and workforce training, to promote the successful growth and stability of the Atlantic salmon RAS sector and, more broadly, US aquaculture. The main outcomes of this collaborative program will be the integration, synergism and amplification of the expertise and skills of the RAS-N consortium partners for the benefit of the industry, and the development of a consensus road map/strategic plan and demonstration projects that will help policymakers, federal agencies and industry identify and responsibly allocate resources to promote an economically and environmentally sustainable land-based US Atlantic salmon industry.