Atarraya, a pioneering high-tech shrimp farming company, is set to revolutionize the aquaculture industry with its ambitious plan to establish a facility featuring 200 self-contained ‘shrimpboxes’ in the Northeastern United States. These shrimpboxes utilize recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) that leverage microbial processes to efficiently manage waste products generated by shrimp farming. This innovative approach not only promises to deliver high-quality, fresh, local shrimp but also addresses the myriad environmental and ethical issues associated with traditional coastal shrimp farming.
The company recently garnered attention by winning the FoodShot Global4 water groundbreaker prize, a recognition that underscores its commitment to sustainable aquaculture practices. Coastal shrimp farming has long been criticized for its detrimental impact on the environment, including the destruction of mangrove forests, wetlands, and the pollution of waterways with organic waste and chemicals. Additionally, the industry has been plagued by issues of slave labor and vulnerability to disease and extreme weather. Atarraya’s RAS technology is designed to mitigate these challenges by creating a controlled environment for shrimp cultivation.
Daniel Russek, the founder and CEO of Atarraya, explained that the company has spent years refining its technology before launching. The goal is to expand to 100 tanks in Indianapolis by the fourth quarter of 2025, followed by the establishment of the Northeastern facility targeting the New York City market. The initial 100 tanks in Indianapolis have already secured a buyer for all their product, indicating strong demand for locally sourced shrimp. Russek is in discussions with economic development agencies across New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania to facilitate this expansion.
The shrimp farming industry in the U.S. faces a significant supply-demand imbalance, with imports currently satisfying most consumer needs. Russek, who has extensive experience working with fishing communities in Mexico and other countries, noted that seafood demand is outpacing population growth. Traditional shrimp sourcing methods, such as ocean trawling, result in excessive bycatch and are not sustainable. He emphasized that Atarraya’s approach, which began with fish species like tilapia and snapper, evolved to focus on shrimp using a biofloc system that effectively manages the nitrogen cycle.
Atarraya’s shrimpboxes are modular systems resembling shipping containers, equipped with advanced software that monitors and controls the farming process. The system tracks various parameters, including pH, salinity, and oxygen levels, allowing for precise management of the shrimp farming environment. This level of automation reduces the need for highly trained personnel on-site, as much of the decision-making is handled by an expert system that communicates with a team of specialists in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The biofloc system employed by Atarraya converts ammonia released by shrimp into nitrite and then into nitrate, which is utilized by a microbial community within the tanks. This not only keeps the water clean but also allows the microbial biomass to be harvested as organic fertilizer. The efficiency of Atarraya’s system is striking; while traditional shrimp farming requires approximately 60,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of shrimp, Atarraya’s method uses only 90 liters.
Looking ahead, Atarraya is preparing to launch a new generation of shrimpboxes that are lighter, cheaper, and quicker to deploy. The company has plans to establish its own hatcheries in the U.S. as it scales up operations, further reducing the risks associated with disease. With approximately $18 million raised to date, Atarraya is seeking an additional $4.5 million to support its expansion efforts, of which $3.2 million is already secured.
The demand for Atarraya’s shrimp is particularly strong among chefs in high-end dining establishments, who are eager to source sustainable seafood alternatives to wild-caught varieties. As the company continues to innovate and expand, it aims to set a new standard for shrimp farming, one that prioritizes environmental sustainability and ethical practices while meeting the growing consumer demand for quality seafood.