A recent analysis into the farming of tropical vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) using Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) regards the model as having a promising future due to its high-yield, fully controllable, and sustainable nature. Nevertheless, the primary obstacle to its widespread expansion lies in the technology’s inherently high energy consumption.
This means that while RAS allows for continuous vannamei shrimp production regardless of climate and location, the steep operating cost of maintaining filtration, pumping and water quality control equipment threatens to severely curb its adoption.
To secure its position as a leading technology, research efforts must therefore be directed toward energy saving and emission reduction through equipment and operational procedures that will “drastically reduce the electricity bill.” Improving operational effectiveness by boosting cultivation success rates and overall efficiency is another crucial line of work.
Crucially, achieving precise and automated control over all equipment parameters will also be vital, as this, in turn, is expected to lead to greater overall energy efficiency.
