About
Founded in 1985, PR Aqua has grown into North America's most trusted expert in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) for cool and cold-water species. The company provides end-to-end aquaculture engineering solutions — from initial bio-planning and system design through full equipment supply and long-term operational support — serving hatcheries, conservation centers, and commercial fish farms across the US and Canada. PR Aqua's technology portfolio includes Hydrotech drum and belt filters for solids filtration, UV disinfection systems, oxygenation equipment, pressurized packed columns (PPC) for CO₂ stripping, and Lykkegaard Sulzer pumping solutions. Their Design-Supply-Support project delivery model separates design from construction to give project owners maximum control over quality, cost, and delivery timelines. A key differentiator is PR Aqua's Investable RAS Framework — a methodology that makes large-scale RAS projects technically predictable and financially attractive to institutional investors. This framework, combined with proprietary Bioplanning tools, allows fish farmers to minimize water consumption, control environmental variables, and reduce exposure to parasites and disease while maximizing biomass health and operational uptime. PR Aqua is the go-to partner for salmon farmers, sturgeon hatcheries, sport fish programs, and commercial land-based aquaculture operations seeking proven, bankable RAS technology.
Key Features
- Investable RAS Framework: A structured methodology that makes large-scale land-based aquaculture projects technically predictable and attractive to institutional investors.
- Complete Equipment Supply: PR Aqua supplies a comprehensive equipment package including Hydrotech drum/belt filters, UV disinfection, oxygenation, and Lykkegaard Sulzer pumps — all key RAS process equipment from a single source.
- Custom Aquaculture Engineering & Bioplanning: Tailored bio-planning tools and system design that optimize fish biomass health, water quality, and operational uptime for each unique project.
- Design-Supply-Support Delivery Model: A proven project delivery approach that separates design from construction/installation to maximize quality control and cost efficiency for project owners.
- Solids Filtration & Water Treatment Technology: Industry-leading filtration solutions including Hydrotech drum and belt filters, disc filters, and pressurized packed columns for CO₂ stripping and water reuse.
Use Cases
- Designing and equipping large-scale commercial land-based salmon or trout farms seeking investor-ready RAS infrastructure.
- Engineering water treatment and filtration systems for government or conservation-funded fish hatcheries and species recovery programs.
- Supplying modular RAS equipment packages to sport fish hatcheries that need reliable, low-maintenance water quality control.
- Supporting aquaculture entrepreneurs and developers in conducting bio-planning and feasibility analysis before capital deployment.
- Upgrading or retrofitting existing open-water or pond-based fish farms to recirculating systems for improved biosecurity and environmental compliance.
Pros
- 40+ Years of Proven Experience: Founded in 1985, PR Aqua has decades of successful RAS project delivery across hatcheries, conservation programs, and commercial aquaculture operations.
- Single-Source RAS Partner: From bio-planning and engineering design to equipment supply and ongoing support, PR Aqua covers the full project lifecycle, reducing owner risk and coordination complexity.
- Investor-Ready Frameworks: Their Investable RAS approach provides the financial and technical predictability needed to attract institutional capital to large-scale land-based fish farming projects.
Cons
- Primarily Serves US & Canada: PR Aqua's focus is on the North American market, which may limit direct engagement for aquaculture projects in other regions.
- Custom Pricing — No Off-the-Shelf Plans: All solutions are custom-engineered, meaning costs and timelines require direct consultation and are not publicly listed, which can slow early-stage planning.
- Specialized Niche: Services are highly specialized for cool and cold-water RAS species; warm-water aquaculture operators may find the fit less ideal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)?
A RAS is a closed-loop fish farming system that filters and recirculates water rather than discharging it, minimizing water consumption, controlling environmental conditions, and reducing exposure to disease, parasites, and predators.
What species does PR Aqua's RAS technology support?
PR Aqua specializes in cool and cold-water species, with notable projects including Atlantic salmon (Grieg Seafood BC) and white sturgeon (Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre), as well as sport fish hatcheries.
What is the Investable RAS Framework?
It is PR Aqua's proprietary methodology for designing and delivering large-scale land-based aquaculture systems with the technical certainty and financial predictability required to attract institutional investors and lenders.
How does PR Aqua's Design-Supply-Support model work?
PR Aqua separates the design phase from construction and installation, providing a complete set of engineering documents alongside a comprehensive equipment package. This gives project owners optimal control over quality, cost, and delivery schedule.
Does PR Aqua supply spare parts and ongoing support?
Yes — PR Aqua offers spare parts for key equipment including Hydrotech drum and belt filters, Atlantium UV systems, Lykkegaard Sulzer pumps, and pressurized packed columns, along with ongoing technical support.
