Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and UV Disinfection

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world according to The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report. The FAO’s report states that by 2030, the world will eat 20 percent more fish than in 2016. By then, the aquaculture production is projected to reach 109 million tonnes, which is a growth rate of 37 percent compared to 2016.

This will lead to a growing land-based aquaculture, including farming in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). RAS will play an even bigger role in the future of aquaculture as it is able to:

✅ Minimize the threats of cultured fish escaping
✅ Improve the control of diseases and parasites
✅ Create better management of water quality (temperature, oxygen rate, nutrient, and suspended solids content)
✅ Improve the control of nutrient releases in the environment

Fish growing in controlled environments in tanks, often at high densities, sets high requirements for the quality of the water and equipment performance.

In Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), microbiological safety of the intake water is crucial to guarantee that no diseases are introduced into the controlled environment, as it poses a huge threat to the high valued production which can lead to significant economic losses. A commonly used disinfection method for protecting the intake water supply is ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, due to its vast number of advantages.

Fish has been swimming in the vastness of the oceans for millions of years. Likewise, harmful bacteria & viruses are also present in most water. But in nature, the concentration of microbes is usually so low that it does not pose a serious threat to healthy fish stocks.

Modern aquaculture facilities are complex facilities that require large investments. UV disinfection protects fish facilities from diseases caused by microorganisms. The first line of defense is complete disinfection of the intake water, to ensure that no microorganisms are able to enter the RAS facility. The ULTRABARRIER irradiates the water with a powerful dose of UV light to ensure complete disinfection of all microorganisms.

By installing a range of UV disinfection systems, the facility is provided the required safety for it to function properly. We strive to help achieve maximum investment protection, energy efficiency, and production output.

A lot of fish produce a lot of microorganisms – no matter how pure the water is. If the concentration of microorganisms becomes too high, it can in the worst case result in disease outbreaks and loss of the entire fish production. The optimal solution for controlling the increasing microbiological load in RAS is UV disinfection. UV inactivates all microorganisms to ensure that no bacterial blooms occur in the water.

UV disinfection is a chemical-free and well-proven technology that disinfects water with powerful ultraviolet light. UV light penetrates deep into the viruses and bacteria, alternating the DNA of the microorganisms – leaving them inactivated, and unable to infect and reproduce.

By eliminating microorganisms in the intake water while controlling microbiological growth in the RAS water, optimal water biosecurity is ensured.

Additionally, UV disinfection ensures thriving species in the RAS facility by minimizing fish health problems related to:

✅ Internal organs
✅ Scales
✅ Gills
✅ General health

Learn more at: https://ultraaqua.com/

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our sales engineers at: [email protected]

🔗 https://ultraaqua.com/
🔗 LinkedIn:   / ultraaquauv  
🔗 YouTube:    / @ultraaqua  
🔗 Facebook:   / ultraaquauv  
🔗 Twitter:   / ultraaquauv