Consortium plans RAS salmon farm in Abu Dhabi

A consortium of European and Middle Eastern businesses has announced plans to build a land-based salmon farm in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The companies behind the RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) farm plan are Tech Group, a UAE-based diversified group of companies, Ocean Harvest, a technology-enabled aquaculture business recently set up in the UAE; and Belgian construction group BESIX. Ocean Harvest’s first project is being delivered together with industry-leading RAS technology partner and supplier, Billund Aquaculture A/S and global water treatment leader, SUEZ – Water Technologies & Solutions. The project aims to supply 2,000 metric tonnes per year of premium quality, locally grown, Atlantic salmon to the UAE. In conjunction with the partnership, BESIX and Tech Group will join Ocean Harvest’s Board of Directors as investors and “Strategic Partners.” Ocean Harvest has secured US $1m in pre-seed capital to fund its design and engineering activities from BESIX, Tech Group and leading angel investors. Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Founder and Chairman of Tech Group, said: “Tech Group is dedicated towards the continuous pursuit of innovative opportunities that support the sustainable development of the UAE. Food security is among the most important priorities in the UAE national agenda, and we believe that our partnership with Ocean Harvest will generate true and tangible impact for our society.”