New RAS system for sustainable aquaculture installed at Acquatina (Pilot area 1)
02/05/2026
The BlueDiversity project is upgrading its technological facilities thanks to funding from the Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021-2027 programme. An innovative RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) unit has recently been purchased and installed, a key tool for research into marine biodiversity and the development of zero-impact farming practices.
What is a RAS system and how does it work?
The RAS system is a closed-loop aquaculture technology. Unlike traditional methods, the water inside the tanks is constantly recycled and treated through a series of mechanical and biological filters.
This process removes organic waste and monitors key chemical and physical parameters (such as temperature, pH and oxygen) in real time, ensuring a controlled and protected environment for marine species.
The benefits of the technology: efficiency and sustainability
The adoption of this technology brings tangible benefits in line with the project’s objectives:
• water savings: continuous recycling drastically reduces the withdrawal of external water;
• ecosystem protection: as it is a closed system, there is no dispersion of nutrients or residues into the natural environment, preventing the eutrophication of coastal waters;
• biosecurity: strict control of the environment reduces stress on organisms and the risk of disease, eliminating the need for chemical interventions;
• climate resilience: the system protects species from temperature fluctuations and external pollutants linked to climate change.
The role of RAS in the project
The purchase of this equipment is not merely an infrastructure upgrade, but a strategic pillar for:
1. Conservation of target species for the protection of biodiversity: to provide a flexible mesocosm in terms of controlling the main abiotic characteristics of water bodies, in order to facilitate the conservation of target species under different environmental conditions;
2. scientific research: studying the behaviour and genetics of species under controlled conditions to define conservation protocols that can be replicated throughout the Adriatic;
3. a model of cooperation: demonstrating how Interreg funds can be transformed into concrete technological solutions for the sustainable management of marine resources between Italy and Croatia.
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