
Show Notes
It truly takes a village to raise the next generation of recirculating aquaculture farmers. Kevin Hoffman is the instructor and program manager for Onalaska High School’s aquaculture program in Washington State, United States. Through his hands-on program, students learn many practical skills, including feeding, sampling, fish husbandry, construction and maintenance. In this episode, Kevin shares how he grew this program to what it is today and how others can do the same.
More from RAS Talk
This is a live recording of the second keynote session of RASTECH US 2026 Conference & Trade Fair on May 20 in St. Augustine, Fla., USA. Industry leaders and stakeholders discussed the current state, challenges, and growth opportunities within the land-based aquaculture sector, specifically focusing on Florida and international markets. Featured speakers include: Jane Evans Davis, Evans Fish Farms & Florida Aquaculture Association Craig Watson, Florida Aquaculture Association Kathleen Hartman, Kennebec River Biosciences Meghan Sorby, Pine Island Redfish
This episode is a live recording of the first keynote at the RASTECH Conference & Trade Fair on May 19-21, 2026 at St. Augustine, Florida in the United States. Asia is moving with unprecedented speed and capital. Across the continent, massive, first-of-their-kind megaprojects are moving from blueprint to biomass, redefining what is possible in land-based production. Panelists share stories inside the rise of Asia's high-investment megaprojects. Featured speakers: Ajdin Rizvic Rizvo, Pure Salmon Technology & Pure Salmon Japan Sam Kim, BluGen Korea Morio Kaneko, Fisheries Agency of Japan
Rob van de Ven, managing director of Landing Aquaculture, discusses his extensive experience in the RAS industry, emphasizing innovation and tackling challenging projects. He highlighted the importance of tailoring RAS systems to specific species. He stressed the need for standardization while maintaining flexibility, especially for new species.
Marcelo Shei, owner of Altamar Sistemos Aquáticos, discussed his extensive experience in the RAS industry in Brazil and Latin America. He highlighted major projects with marine species, including Genomar’s tilapia genetics facility. He also shares his work as president of the World Aquaculture Society’s Latin America and Caribbean chapter and translating the Yellow Book of Recirculating Aquaculture in Portuguese.
Steffen Nielsen is CEO of Danforel, one of Europe’s largest producers of rainbow trout located in Grindsted, Denmark. The farm produces about 4,000 metric tons per year. In this episode, Steffen highlights the farm’s close relationship with its owner and feed supplier, Aller Aqua. Since the acquisition, the farm and feed supplier have enjoyed a close collaboration towards an effective fish production. He also shares Danforel’s efforts to minimize off-flavours, produce fish oil, and utilize by-products for proteins.