Aqua Vida Aquaculture’s objective is to become the world’s premier, sustainable producer of farm-raised, freshwater eel. We are building a state-of-the-art, Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) farm in the U.S.A. Aqua Vida’s initial, annual production capacity is 750 metric tons.Aqua Vida Aquaculture is committed to the use of sustainable harvest strategies and certified, environmentally friendly aquaculture practices. We have initiated and will continue to pursue research partnerships to improve the conservation and rehabilitation of all eel species. Through these practices, AV will help close the world’s growing protein deficit without adding to the strain upon the Earth’s natural resources.
The Freshwater Eel
Overfishing, physical barriers, pollution, disease and climate change threaten the existence of many freshwater eel species. The European eel (Anguilla anguilla), Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) and American eel (Anguilla rostrata) have stocks that are now considerably reduced from their original biomass and are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Greenpeace International.
The African eel (Anguilla mossambica) is the last remaining temperate eel species with a pristine and unexploited wild population. The sustainable harvest of this species offers considerable opportunity. Isolated from the Atlantic and Pacific species, Mossambica shares very similar physiological and morphological features and has been compared favourably in taste tests.
The Eel Advantage
Feed Efficiency
Efficient feed conversion ratio relative to other livestock & aquatic species
Water Efficiency
99% recirculating efficiency reduces water dependence relative to other livestock
Density
Thrive in high density environments ~300kg/m³ (3 – 4x other aquatic species)
BENEFITS OF AQUA VIDA AQUACULTURES RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM
Environmentally Friendly
Reduced water usage through recirculation and cleansing of systems water. Exceptional water, food and filtration systems accelerate growth cycles and reduce feed requirement. Resource production requirements are very favorable compared to other proteins.
Natural High Quality Products
RAS reduces fish stress by continuously purifying water and optimizing environmental conditions. The result is a healthier fish grown without the use of hormones or antibiotics.
Efficient Process
RAS optimizes water conditions, and permits a controlled feed and nutrient regime. The RAS process creates a biologically secure population and the highest quality fish.
Grown in the USA
The Global Eel Market
The current growth in global fish consumption will continue, while marine harvests will, at best remain constant. Demand already outstrips supply. According to Bloomberg, 2014 was the first year in which the world ate more fish from farms than from the open sea. Production growth will come from aquaculture.
Sustainability
Aqua Vida Aquaculture will work with government and non-governmental agencies to establish a restocking program in Madagascar and study the fisheries effect upon the species biomass.
Supply
Pressure on wild stocks has reduced supply, leaving a supply/demand imbalance of 100,000 metric tonnes.
Demand
Eel demand is mature at 300,000 metric tonnes in 2011
Consumption
Current demand is currently concentrated in Asia and Europe but growing rapidly in the North America.
Opportunity
Eel is an exceptionally high quality and high value protein, considered a delicacy.
Pricing
Continued pressure on supply ensures premium pricing.
Meet Our Team
Nico Falke
Director of Aqua Operations
Nico graduated from the University of Wageningen, Holland in 1992 with a Masters degree in Aquaculture and a specialization in larval rearing and water treatment in recirculating systems. In a 30 year career he has built and managed marine and freshwater aquaculture systems for a variety of species, including tilapia in The Philippines, Shrimp in Australia and Koi in Israel before moving back to Holland and managing his first eel recirculating farm. Since then and for the last 25 years, Nico has been designing and managing a variety of eel farms in Holland including his own 400 metric ton facility. Nico is a keen engineer, tinkerer and builder of all things mechanical.
Kit Munday
Founder, Managing Partner
Kit graduated for the University of Edinburgh in 1992 with a Masters degree in Psychology and a specialization in the biological basis of behavior. After seven years working for Nomura Securities in London, New York and Tokyo he returned to graduate school and earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 2001. After a further 11 years alternative investment experience including founding Grant Capital Partners, he left the financial world to explore opportunities in recirculating aquaculture. His exploration of different suitable species led him to Freshwater Eel before establishing Aqua Vida in 2016.
Contact Us
We are always interested to hear from you.
Please contact us at kitmunday@avidallc.com or use the form below.