AquaHarvest Farms — Production Plan & Operations
AquaHarvest will employ a hybrid production model combining traditional earthen ponds with modern Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). This dual approach maximises production flexibility, biosecurity, and year-round output consistency. The earthen ponds (6 hectares) will serve as the primary grow-out facility, while the…
Section 6 · Business Plan
Production Plan & Operations
AquaHarvest will employ a hybrid production model combining traditional earthen ponds with modern Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). This dual approach maximises production flexibility, biosecurity, and year-round output consistency. The earthen ponds (6 hectares) will serve as the primary grow-out facility, while the…
6.1 Production System
AquaHarvest will employ a hybrid production model combining traditional earthen ponds with modern Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). This dual approach maximises production flexibility, biosecurity, and year-round output consistency. The earthen ponds (6 hectares) will serve as the primary grow-out facility, while the RAS units (2 hectares) will house the hatchery, nursery, and high-density grow-out modules for premium-grade fish.
6.2 Production Cycle
| Stage | Duration | Weight Range | Stocking Density | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchery | 21 days | 0–1g (fry) | 500/m² | RAS |
| Nursery | 45–60 days | 1–30g | 200/m² | RAS |
| Fingerling | 30 days | 30–80g | 100/m² | RAS/Ponds |
| Grow-Out | 150–180 days | 80–800g | 20–40/m² | Earthen Ponds |
| Harvest | 1–3 days | 500–800g | N/A | Harvest & Processing |
6.3 Annual Production Targets
| Year | Pond Capacity (ha) | RAS Modules | Production (tonnes) | Revenue (R millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3.0 | 2 | 120 | 9.6 |
| Year 2 | 4.5 | 3 | 210 | 16.8 |
| Year 3 | 6.0 | 4 | 315 | 25.2 |
| Year 4 | 6.0 + expansion | 5 | 450 | 36.0 |
| Year 5 | 8.0 (expanded) | 6 | 600 | 48.0 |
6.4 Feed Management
Fish feed represents the single largest operating cost component at 55–60% of total operating expenditure. AquaHarvest will source high-quality floating pellet feed from established South African feed manufacturers (Aller Aqua SA, Nutri Feeds, and Meadow Feeds) with the following specifications:
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Protein content: 32–36% (grow-out); 42–45% (nursery/fingerling)
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Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) target: 1.4–1.6:1 (industry benchmark: 1.5–1.8:1)
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Annual feed requirement (Year 5): approximately 900–960 tonnes
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Feed storage: 200-tonne capacity climate-controlled silo facility
6.5 Water Management
Water is a critical input for tilapia aquaculture. AquaHarvest’s water management strategy combines multiple sources and conservation technologies:
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Primary source: Two 40 m³/hour boreholes (tested and permitted under National Water Act licence)
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RAS water recycling: Biofilter and mechanical filtration achieving 95%+ water reuse, reducing freshwater input by approximately 90% compared to flow-through systems
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Rainwater harvesting: 500 m³ storage capacity from roof catchments
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Water quality monitoring: Automated 24/7 monitoring of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels across all production units
6.6 Biosecurity Protocol
A comprehensive biosecurity management plan will be implemented to minimise disease risk and ensure compliance with the Animal Health Act and DALRRD veterinary requirements:
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Perimeter fencing and access control with foot-bath disinfection stations
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Quarantine facility for all incoming fish stock (minimum 14-day observation)
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Regular veterinary inspections (monthly) by a registered aquatic veterinarian
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Prophylactic vaccination programme against Streptococcus spp.
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Mortality monitoring and reporting protocols aligned with DALRRD requirements
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