Red drum farmer seeks cash to expand after successful harvests

Florida land-based red drum farmer Pine Island Redfish has announced the successful completion of its second harvest season, surpassing both production and sales projections for 2025.

And with production results reported to have exceeded goals on feed conversion ratio, stocking densities, and growth curve, the company is now fundraising to support expansion from its commercial demonstration site in Sarasota to a 150-acre site on Pine Island, off Florida’s southwest coast.

Speaking to potential investors in London in May last year, Pine Island Redfish co-founder and chief executive Megan Sorby said the company intended to initially produce between 600 and 800 tonnes of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) annually, then scale up to 1,500 tonnes.

The capacity in Sarasota means Pine Island Redfish limits to producing two cohorts of fish per year, each resulting in 10–14 weeks of significant harvest in the spring and in the autumn.

35% above target

Today, the company said it had achieved a total harvest 35% over target across two seasons in Sarasota. Achieving peak densities of the species, the company exceeded both production targets as well as projected growth and FCRs, with fish in excess of 3kg in 14 months.

The company sells its fish to wholesale and foodservice customers and is now available in specialty seafood markets throughout Florida as well as major retail Publix stores across the state.

“We are thrilled to report that Pine Island Redfish continues to improve its biological and harvest performance season over season,” said Sorby, who has an aquaculture degree from Stirling University’s Institute of Aquaculture.

Tremendous potential

“It demonstrates the tremendous potential of the species in RAS and is a testament to true prioritisation of environmental sustainability delivering on production returns. We look forward to continued momentum and progress in 2026.”

Sorby told LandbasedAQ.com that the Sarasota facility "has enabled us to reliably meet market demand across our key regional markets in the Southeastern US, while also giving us the opportunity to attract interest in our redfish beyond the region". 

She added: "We are currently using our Pine Island site to prepare for full build out of our regenerative fish production model; we have developed our saltwater wells, prepared land and a pad for intake filtration, and have built out nursery space for cultivating mangrove propagules for coastal restoration efforts along Florida’s coast. We currently have more than 35,000 mangroves on site, ready for replanting."

Mangroves from fish waste

Pine Island Redfish repurposes fish waste to cultivate nutrient-rich and climate stabilising plants, including mangroves. 

By year’s end, Pine Island Redfish will have cultivated 45,000 mangroves, started in its nursery on the Pine Island site and deployed in restoration projects throughout the Gulf coast region of Florida. In 2026, the company will also pursue partnerships with non-profit organisations to expand the mangrove restoration efforts.

Also read:

Red drum RAS ‘sited to work with the environment’