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Aquaculture

LAND-BASED RED DRUM PROJECT ANNOUNCES FULLY PERMITTED SITE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

LAND-BASED RED DRUM PROJECT

Land-based Red Drum Project announces fully permitted site in Southwest Florida. Former Kingfish Maine Operations Manager announces the site is secure and fully permitted.

Former Kingfish Maine Operations Manager Megan Sorby announces the fully permitted site for the new recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) redfish project and the company name. Pine Island Redfish will be located on its island namesake in southwest Florida, where aquaculture is already thriving.

Pine Island is home to a vast array of tropical fruit and citrus groves as well as palm tree farms. “In studying sites for this farm, we were directed to Pine Island, Florida as a home for both terrestrial agriculture as well as aquaculture,” said Pine Island Redfish CEO Megan Sorby. “We looked at multiple locations and found a property that provides all the key elements for our project while most importantly working within Pine Island’s desire to maintain its natural and undeveloped farm feel.”

Pine Island Redfish acquired a nearly 150 acre property towards the southern part of the island after required review and successful approval by all relevant local, state, and federal agencies.  “Previous farming activities on the property as well as the general location and site-specific characteristics are allowing us to establish operations with engineering that meets the goals we are all striving to achieve in the blue economy including water efficient technologies and climate resilience strategies.”

Unique geologic conditions of South Florida provide the opportunity to access high quality seawater through the ground’s natural sand filter, Sorby says:

“Likewise, we are able to process effluent on site and recycle its nutrient profile for other applications that create a more circular food system.” The company is evaluating uses, including growth of halophytes integral to climate resilience strategies.

Pine Island is no stranger to storied seafood. A well-known fishing area for both commercial capture and sport, it is also home to American Penaeid, a leading provider of vannamei broodstock as well as harvest to market.

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