The United States shrimp market is currently dominated by imports, with much of the value captured outside the country. However, consumers are increasingly seeking local, fresh, and high-quality shrimp products. Land-based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) offer a promising approach to producing shrimp closer to major markets. Despite this, several challenges remain, including waste discharge management, the high cost of artificial seawater, and production expenses.
Midland Co. has developed an innovative algae-based moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) that addresses these challenges by treating and recovering nitrogen, phosphate, carbon dioxide, and heavy metals. A pilot-scale production system utilizing this technology was successfully operated in Iowa, demonstrating its feasibility.
Preliminary results indicate that shrimp production in algae-based RAS holds significant potential. The system achieved low levels of ammonia and nitrite, prevented the accumulation of nitrate, phosphate, and heavy metals, and effectively removed CO2 through biological processes facilitated by algae. Moreover, the system maintained high water quality even under conditions of high stocking density. These findings suggest a new opportunity for sustainable shrimp production.