Acuicultura Cádiz SL has entered a new stage in the development of its land-based recirculating aquaculture facility in El Puerto de Santa María, in southern Spain, with with civil works approaching completion and the installation of technology now under way.
The project, promoted by the same ownership group behind Futuna Blue, is designed to grow greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) in a land-based RAS facility in this town of Cadiz province.
In an interview with misPeces, Børge Søraas, CEO of Acuicultura Cádiz, said the company is currently in “full construction” and has started to implement the technological system that will support the future production unit.
The target is to introduce the first fish into the facility in November 2026. The juveniles will come from Futuna Blue at around 10 grams and will be grown in El Puerto de Santa María for approximately one year, reaching an estimated harvest weight of around 3.5 kilograms.
“The fish will come from our sister company, Futuna Blue, at around 10 grams, and we will grow them here for approximately one year before harvesting them at 3.5 kilograms.”
The first phase of the project is covered by a licence for 450 tonnes, although the company sees this facility as only the starting point of a broader long-term development plan.
Søoras described the current site as a “startup facility”, but stressed that Acuicultura Cádiz has growth plans for the future.
A key part of the project is the relationship between Futuna Blue and Acuicultura Cádiz. Futuna Blue will continue to focus on broodstock and juvenile production, while Acuicultura Cádiz will operate as the grow-out facility.
The company expects to use a significant part of Futuna’s juvenile production internally, but also intends to sell juveniles to third parties.
This is a strategic difference in the company’s approach to the development of seriola aquaculture. Rather than building the market alone, the group plans to support other operators and contribute to the industrial development of greater amberjack in the region.
“We also want to sell to third parties because we want to help develop Seriola dumerili as an industrial aquaculture species in this area.”
The choice of Cádiz is also linked to the local ecosystem. Søraas highlighted the maritime and aquaculture knowledge available in the area, as well as the presence of universities, scientific institutions and technical support organisations.
For the company this environment provides a strong base for developing greater amberjack as an industrial aquaculture species.
The project now also moves into a new phase from a human resources perspective. Acuicultura Cádiz is preparing to announce its first key positions, including farm management, production management and technical management roles.
These profiles will be important for the start-up phase of the facility and for the development of the operational team.
The company is looking for professionals with experience in marine land-based RAS facilities, particularly for the first senior positions. Further recruitment is expected to continue during the summer and autumn as Acuicultura Cádiz builds the full staff needed for the farm.
For Søraas, the project represents an attractive opportunity for professionals interested in joining a start-up facility at an early stage, with the possibility of taking part in the development of a new industrial aquaculture project in Spain.
The next months will therefore be decisive for Acuicultura Cádiz. After the initial construction phase, the project is now moving towards technology installation, commissioning, recruitment and preparation for the arrival of the first greater amberjack juveniles.
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