Content

 Introduction
 How RAS works
 Advantages of RAS
 Disadvantages of RAS
 Species suitable for RAS
 Components of RAS
 Feed
 Indian Scenario
 Identification of potential States
 Initiatives under Blue Revolution
 Key Components
 Model Technical Specification for Tilapia culture in RAS
 Farming in RAS
 Conclusion
Introduction:
Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) is a technology where water is recycled and
reused after mechanical and biological filtration and removal of suspended matter
and metabolites. This method is used for high- density culture of various species of
fish, utilizing minimum land area and water. It is an intensive high density fish
culture unlike other aquaculture production systems. Instead of the traditional
method of growing fish outdoors in open ponds and raceways, in this system fish are
typically reared in indoor/outdoor tanks in a controlled environment. Recirculating
systems filter and clean the water by recycling it back to fish culture tanks. The
technology is based on the use of mechanical and biological filters and the method
can be used for any species grown in [Link] water is added to the tanks
only to make up for splash out, evaporation and that used to flush out waste
materials. The reconditioned water circulates through the system and not more than
10% of the total water volume of the system is replaced daily. In order to compete
economically and to efficiently use the substantial capital investment in the
recirculation system, the fish farmer needs to grow as much fish as possible in the
inbuilt capacity. The management of recirculating systems relies heavily on the
quantity and quality of feed and the type of filtration. Numerous filter designs are
used in recirculating systems, but the overall goal of all filtration is to remove
metabolic wastes, excess nutrients, and solids from the water and provide good water
quality for the aquatic organisms. It is important to consider all factors when
designing and investing in aquaculture systems. However, in order to encourage
small-scale fish farmers and entrepreneurs and also to facilitate fish production in
urban and semi-urban areas where land and water are scarce, it is proposed to
promote backyard RAS.
Pic source: CIFE RAS Pawarkheda

How RAS works?

Advantage of RAS
Extended durability of tanks and equipment
Reduced dependency on antibiotics and therapeutants hence, advantage of
getting high quality fish.
Reduction of direct operational costs associated with feed, predator control and
parasites.
Potentially eliminate release of parasites to recipient waters.
Risk reduction due to climatic factors, disease and parasite impacts
RAS production can promote flexibility in terms of location for farming,
proximity to market.
Enable production of a broad range of species irrespective of temperature
requirements.
Feed management is considerably enhanced in RAS when feeding can be closely
monitored for 24 hrs.
Exposure of stock to stress on RAS can be reduced for some factors such as
adverse weather, unfavourable temperature conditions, external pollution and
predation.
Enable secure production of non-endemic species.
Judicial use of water and land areas

Disadvantage of RAS

Constant uninterrupted power supply is required if electric power fails than

backup of electricity is required
Capital cost of starting a recirculating aquaculture system is high as compared
to ponds and raceways.

Species suitable for RAS

Baramundi/ Asian Seabass/Bhetki (Lates calcarifer)
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)
Silver/Indian Pompano (Trichinotus Blochii/ Trichinotus mookalee)
Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Pearl spot/Karimeen (Etroplus suratensis)
Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), especially in Hilly/cold water Region

Components of RAS:
Insulated shed/ Building
Store cum office for feed and accessories,
Pump house,
Grow out tanks: Circular cement tanks/ FRP tanks, including inlet, outlet central
drainage
Settling tanks for sludge
Water Storage (sump) tanks,
Overhead tanks.
Mechanical (Hydraulic) filters, Drum filter, Glass wool/ muslin cloth filter
Pumps and motors
Power generator
Sludge collector, settable/dissolved solid collectors
Biofilters, UV units
Electrification,
Automatic feeder (wherever required)
Aeration system (air/ oxygen), Carbon dioxide trapper system (degasser),
Water testing kit
Water supply system, bore well etc. (wherever required)
Inputs such as Seed, Feed, additives and supplements, electricity/ Diesel, man
power etc.

Feed:
A high protein feed, containing all the essential minerals and vitamins
Species specific feed
Feeding can be done @ 3-5 % of the body weight of the fish depending on the quality
and protein content of feed.
More frequent feedings (several times per day) shall result in better growth rates
and thus improved feed conversion ratio

Indian Scenario
Our country ranks good on fresh water fish production as traditional methods of fish
farming in India are able to produce just between 2 - 10 MT of fish per hectare of land
while Recirculating Aquaculture System may produce up to 500 MT of fish per year
in same area. There is deficit of proper knowledge, expertise in technical management
of Recirculatory systems and entrepreneurial attitude for commercial scale units. The
high investment costs may have kept RAS away from our country until now. But
there is an amazing potential for it in India and with growing interest the units are
coming up in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere. In the next 5 years, these
are going to be seen in many places in India for sure and RAS would be the next big
thing in Inland Fisheries sector to happen in coming years

Identification of Potential States

Considering relevant factors and scope following States are identified for focussed
attention to ensure visible impact of this activity.
1) Assam, 2) Bihar, 3) Chhattisgarh, 4) Haryana, 5) Madhya Pradesh, 6) Maharashtra,
7) Odisha,
8) Punjab, 9) Rajasthan, 10) Tamil Nadu, 11)Telangana, 12) Uttar Pradesh, 13) West
Bengal.

Initiatives under Blue Revolution

1. Low cost Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS):

As per actual cost with a ceiling of Rs. 15.00 lakh per unit (a) For General States: 50%
of the unit cost with a ceiling of Rs. 7.50 lakh per unit/plant. (b) For North-Eastern/
Himalayan States: 80% of the unit cost with a ceiling of Rs. 12 lakh per unit/plant. (c)
For UTs/ Central Govt. Institutes/ organisations including ICAR institutes: 100% of
the unit cost with a ceiling of Rs. 15 lakh per unit/plant.

2. Medium range Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS ): As per actual cost

with a ceiling of Rs. 50.00 lakh per unit (a) For General States: 50% of the unit cost
with a ceiling of Rs. 25 lakh per unit/plant. (b) For Northeastern/ Himalayan States:
80% of the unit cost with a ceiling of Rs. 40 lakh per unit/plant. (c) For UTs/ Central
Govt. Institutes/ organisations including ICAR institutes: 100% of the unit cost with
a ceiling of Rs. 50 lakh per unit/plant.

3. Innovative Activities: Actual (a) 50% of the unit cost with a ceiling of Rs. 50
lakh for each project for General States. (b) 100% of the unit cost with a ceiling of Rs.
100 lakh for the projects directly implemented by the Government of India through
its institutes/ organisations including ICAR institutes and UTs. (i) Innovative
activities shall broadly cover Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
with a minimum production capacity of 500 MT/ year

Key Components

• Technology Adoption for Intensive Fish Farming: Recirculatory Aquaculture

is relatively new practice in Fish culture. Operation of these units is more demanding
in terms of techniques related biology of culture fish and hydrological parameters.
Establishment of these units will improve the knowledge base of farmers for
impending future technologies in this area.
• Conservation of Resources : Being highly efficient, total use of natural resources
is very less hence leads conservation of precious natural resources like water, land
and environment.
• Construction of Cemented Ponds and Drainage Systems : It is main
structural components, right design and layout is important for smooth operation and
cost saving.
• Feed Based Culture: Feed constitutes highest (more than 70%) among various
segments of OPEX. Production of quality fish feed is important to get higher FCR that
improves the economic profitability of the venture

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Pic source: CIFE Pawarkheda
Pic source: CIFE Pawarkheda
Model Technical Specification for GIFT Tilapia culture in RAS

FARMING IN RECIRCULATORY AQUACULTURE SYSTEM

About the Farmed Fishes
Pangasius and Tilapia both are ideally suited for culture in RAS. Presently emphasis
is more over the Pangasius due different reasons. Pangasius belongs to a full family
of catfish living in the Mekong and its estuaries in Vietnam. It is commonly called as
river or silver stripped catfish, Siamese shark, sutchi catfish, or swai catfish. This fish
species live in freshwater. It exhibits fast growth when cultured given a good
environment. Two members of this family can be farmed - the Pangasius
hypophthalmus (Vietnamese: Tra) and the Pangasius bocourti (Vietnamese: Basa). It is
cultured due to its strong market demand, fast growth; few countries dominate the
culture production, and being the 3rd most important freshwater fish group within
aquaculture sector. Pangasius is now cultured in several countries in the world like
Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia,
and Cambodia. Pangasius hypophthalmus contributes more than 90% in global culture
output. Pangasius is an air-breathing fish that can tolerate low
Dissolve Oxygen (DO) of the water. It can be cultured in fish ponds, concrete tanks,
fish cages or fish pens.
Culture Protocol
1. Efficient source of water.
2. Free from pollution and acute environmental variations
3. Free from poachers or any social disturbance
4. Assured source of power/electricity
5. Fill the pond with water to about 1.5m to 2m deep, to provide a wide environment
for the
stocks.
6. Pangasius spp. can be stocked at a rate of 3-15 pcs/m2 depending on the culture
environment.
Stocking should be done early morning or late afternoon. Survival rate of Pangasius
spp. is
estimated to be 80-90%.
7. Pangasius is omnivorous (eat both plants and animals) during their first year and
become herbivorous for the following years. Pangasius can be fed with pelleted feeds

Fig: Pangasius
Conclusion:
Recirculating aquaculture system is the key to the future of aquaculture. Its merits
outweighs its disadvantages. It makes sustainable use of water resources, and in
places where there is scarcity of good quality water. Even though it has high
establishment cost, but the scope of RAS is vast.
It is environment friendly, there is control over the production, and the supply can
meet the demand according to the market conditions. There is low pollution to the
surroundings in recirculating aquaculture system.

Pic source: CIFE Pawarkheda