Fish farming supplier Innovasea puts down roots in aquaponics
US firm equips fish-and-fresh-veggies sites in Colorado and Georgia in ongoing collaboration with foundation that removes RAS capex barrier
United States-based aquaculture supplier Innovasea has announced an ongoing collaboration with Forever Young Aquaponics, which is launching two fully recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) integrated aquaponic facilities, in Colorado and Georgia.
The Colorado site has eight fish tanks and will grow rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) along with baby spinach. Fish have already been introduced into the system, and Forever Young Aquaponics expects to produce 20-30 tonnes of fish per year on what was previously unusable land located in the heartland of the deserts of southern Colorado, where freshwater is a premium resource.
The Georgia site, roughly double the size of its Colorado counterpart, will pair tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with a baby mesclun mix. Construction is ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2026. Once live, the site will produce 70 tonnes of tilapia a year, and over 10,000 pounds (4.5 tonnes) of fresh vegetables a week.
Both sites were equipped by Innovasea, which offered design support throughout the process.
Complex flow
For both projects, Innovasea’s RAS design team needed to effectively account for and build solutions that considered the complex flow and needs of a large aquaponics facility. This meant developing systems that supported sustained fish and plant growth in a balanced and cooperative environment — all under one roof.
“Innovasea’s expertise was crucial in helping us design farms that could succeed in each unique location and meet the area’s specific operational demands,” said Arvind Vankat, managing partner of Forever Young Farms and founder of Waterfarmers, a Canadian company that designs aquaponics equipment.
“These projects are centered around a holistic approach to aquaculture, supporting both environmental responsibility and the production of sustainable protein.”
Innovasea vice president Marc Turano said: “We are proud to support this regenerative initiative and bring advanced, sustainable solutions to different types of land-based aquaculture.
“It’s another way we’re using state-of-the-art technology to deliver operations that are responsible, scalable and profitable.”
Removing capex barrier
Forever Young Aquaponics is an initiative of the Andrew J Young Foundation, founded in 2003 by civil rights leader Andrew Young with the aim of creating a healthier, more peaceful and sustainable world, by uplifting underserved communities and driving long-term solutions.
Through Forever Young Farms - the parent organisation of Forever Young Aquaponics - the foundation is addressing food insecurity by equipping farmers with the systems, technology, and expertise needed to successfully operate aquaponics farms.
The programmes will enable eligible farmers to open a new site on their land without making an initial capital expenditure (capex) investment. Forever Young Aquaponics will then help run and operate the farm, with owners making a monthly payment to the foundation to eventually own the setup.
The agreement removes what historically has been a major barrier to entry: the upfront cost of construction and equipment.
“Forever Young Aquaponics’ mission is to be more than just a farm – it’s a living example of how we can grow fresh food year-round while protecting the natural resources that sustain us. When done right, it holds the potential to be the true trifecta of food, water and community,” said Andrew Young, who was a close ally of civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr, was appointed US ambassador to the United Nations in 1977, and was mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, from 1982-90.
