Most people think of salmon as fish that swim upstream in cold, fast-moving rivers in the Pacific Northwest. It might come as a surprise to you that there are salmon in Florida!
A Brief History of Salmon in Florida
Even though salmon aren’t native to Florida, the state has been farming them since the 1980s. In the beginning, salmon were raised in open ocean net pens, but this method had problems with pollution, disease spreading to wild stocks, and hurricanes damaging equipment.
In the 2000s innovators began experimenting with closed containment systems on land to raise salmon. This involves housing salmon in large tanks with proper water flow temperature control, and waste filtration. The isolation protects farmed fish from infecting or mating with wild salmon. Land-based systems are also storm-proof.
Introducing Bluehouse Salmon – Changing the Game for Florida Salmon
In 2020, a company called Bluehouse Salmon opened the first commercial-scale, land-based salmon farm in Florida Located in Jacksonville, their high-tech indoor facility allows Bluehouse to raise non-GMO Atlantic Salmon completely free of antibiotics, microplastics, mercury, and other ocean pollutants.
The Bluehouse system filters and recycles water, eliminating wastewater discharge into the environment. Their salmon are hatched from eggs imported from Iceland, then grown to maturity in Florida. Bluehouse’s land-based farming methods are better for fish health, consumer health, and our oceans.
Why Farm Salmon in Florida?
At first glance, hot and humid Florida seems an odd choice for raising a cold water species like salmon. However, the land-based Bluehouse system allows precise control over water temperature and other habitat factors, making Florida viable for salmon aquaculture.
There are several advantages to farming salmon in Florida:
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Reduce Reliance on Imported Seafood: Over 90% of seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, with half coming from foreign aquaculture operations. Farming more seafood domestically improves food security.
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Fresher Product: Salmon can be distributed faster, retaining quality and freshness advantages. Bluehouse Salmon is available year-round to Florida restaurants, markets, and consumers.
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Sustainability: Land-based aquaculture has a lower carbon footprint than conventional seafood production. It creates local jobs while alleviating overfishing pressure on wild fish stocks.
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Biosecurity & Disease Control: Isolated land-based systems let farmers carefully monitor water quality and fish health. Bluehouse’s facility has strict biosecurity protocols and water disinfection to prevent pathogen transmission.
Florida Salmon vs. Wild Pacific Salmon
Wild Pacific salmon species like sockeye, coho, and king salmon are still considered top-tier in terms of flavor and nutrition. However, pristine wild salmon populations are struggling. Ocean pollution, overfishing, dams impeding migration routes, and climate change all threaten wild salmon.
Meanwhile, the environmental and disease risks of open net pen farming make importing Pacific farmed salmon questionable. This context makes a strong case for supporting responsible local aquaculture, like that practiced by Bluehouse Salmon.
While perhaps not identical, Bluehouse’s Atlantic Salmon raised in Florida offer compelling advantages over imported wild-caught and farmed salmon:
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Sustainability: By using land-based aquaculture methods, Bluehouse Salmon relieves pressure on struggling wild fish stocks and protects ocean habitats.
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Disease Controlled Environment: Bluehouse’s closed containment system safeguards salmon health and prevents infectious pathogens. Imported net pen farmed salmon face higher disease risks.
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Reduce Carbon Footprint: With no imports required, Bluehouse Salmon production and transport emits far less carbon than other salmon sources.
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Toxin-Free: Bluehouse Salmon are raised entirely free of mercury, microplastics, antibiotics, pesticides, and other pollutants prevalent in many wild fisheries and overseas farming regions.
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Freshness: The shorter transit from farm to table means Bluehouse Salmon reach markets faster while still fresh. Quicker distribution also allows more flexible year-round availability.
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Supports Local Economy: Production facilities based in Florida provide jobs and revenue for local communities, while also increasing domestic seafood supplies.
How Does Bluehouse Salmon Farming Work?
Bluehouse Salmon’s indoor aquaculture system represents a technological leap for sustainable seafood production. Here are some key features that enable them to successfully raise salmon in Florida:
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Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): Water is continually filtered, treated, and recirculated through fish tanks to reduce consumption and maintain optimal conditions.
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UV Disinfection: Ultraviolet light sterilizes water, eliminating harmful pathogens before re-entry into fish tanks.
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Temperature Control: Chillers keep tank water temperatures in Salmon’s preferred range of 53-58°F despite Florida’s heat.
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Supplemental LED lighting: Mimics natural light cycles and stimulates feeding.
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Oxygenation: Tank water is supplemented with pure oxygen to support respiratory health.
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Biofiltration: Bacteria convert ammonia from fish waste into less toxic nitrates, which are then reduced to nitrogen gas.
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Solids Removal: Mechanical filters exclude feces and uneaten food.
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Algae Production: Fatty oil-rich algae is grown onsite and added to feed for healthy omega-3 levels.
This innovative recirculating technology allows Bluehouse to replicate ideal salmon habitat. Fish are raised in a low-stress environment, never handled, and allowed to grow entirely on their natural diet for superior flavor and texture.
Health and Nutrition Benefits of Bluehouse Salmon
Farmed responsibly, salmon is one of the healthiest protein choices. Rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and an excellent source of protein, B vitamins, selenium, and potassium.
Bluehouse Salmon offer these nutritional benefits and more:
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High Omega-3 Levels: Bluehouse’s algae-enhanced salmon diet delivers more omega-3s than wild or conventional farmed salmon. Omega-3s support heart, brain, eye health.
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Low Mercury: Mercury contamination is a concern with some wild fisheries. Bluehouse water is mercury-free, meaning lower exposure risk.
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No Added Antibiotics: Bluehouse farming practices eliminate any antibiotic use, unlike much imported farmed seafood. This prevents antibiotic resistance risks.
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More Iron & Selenium: Test results show Bluehouse Salmon provide more iron and selenium than both wild and other farmed Atlantic salmon. These minerals support immune function and thyroid health.
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High Protein Content: A 6oz portion of Bluehouse salmon contains over 40g of protein to support muscle maintenance, energy levels, and satiety.
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Heart-Healthy Fats: In addition to anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, Bluehouse salmon has high levels of monounsaturated fat similar to that found in olive oil.
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Purity: With water filtered of all pollutants, Bluehouse salmon are free of microplastics, pesticides, and other contaminants rampant in many wild fisheries and overseas farms.
How to Buy Bluehouse Salmon in Florida
So where can Florida residents find this homegrown sustainable salmon? Bluehouse Salmon products are increasingly available both to consumers and wholesale foodservice buyers.
Retail outlets carrying fresh Bluehouse salmon fillets include Publix, Whole Foods Markets, Fresh Market, and local independent seafood markets. Bluehouse also partners with restaurant groups and chefs across Florida to feature their premium salmon on menus.
Bluehouse offers individual portion skin-on fillets as well as trimmed, boneless center-cut fillets. Both conventional and organic salmon options are available. Buyers praise the bright coloration, robust flavor, and pleasing texture.
Beyond their retail presence, Bluehouse welcomes direct orders through their website. Home delivery is available in many areas of Florida. The company also has a Chef’s Club that offers discounted pricing for restaurant buyers meeting order minimums.
The Future of Florida Salmon
The success of Bluehouse Salmon’s pioneering land-based aquaculture model points to a bright future for scaling up American salmon farming. With continued innovation and sustainable practices, Florida is poised to become a leading producer of high-quality, environmentally-responsible salmon.
Consumer demand for healthy, trustworthy seafood continues growing. Bluehouse’s methods answer that call better than depleted wild fish stocks or questionable imported products. Their salmon farming technology also has promising applications for raising other popular species like barramundi, trout, and mahi mahi.
Florida’s friendly climate and business atmosphere will help attract more land-based aquaculture investments too. Strong seafood demand in Florida’s huge tourism and restaurant industries further propels in-state farmed fish production.
So while salmon may seem an unlikely product of sunny Florida, the state has proven it can sustainably raise this nutritious fish. With operations like Bluehouse paving the way, Florida is set to become the heartland for American salmon aquaculture innovation.
Our fish are raised on land in a Florida Bluehouse – like a greenhouse for fish!
We talk about fish a lot. We talk about fish a lot. We talk about fish a lot. We talk about fish a lot. We talk about fish a lot. We talk about fish a lot.
We think local is better, fresh can’t be faked, trash always ends up somewhere, and fish that is healthier just tastes better. We think Mother Nature needs help, and we’re the ones who can give it to her.
We think wild fish should be protected and salmon can be raised on land away from the ocean. We also think that no one wants to eat antibiotics, pesticides, or microplastics and that change can taste good.
We think it’s important to do the right thing, even if it’s hard. We also think that technology and nature can live together. Finally, we think that the future begins with one fish.
Freshness you can taste
From local fish counters to favorite dining spots, ask for Bluehouse by name.
Farm Raised Salmon EXPOSED…what you’re actually eating.
FAQ
Can salmon be raised in Florida?
What state do salmon live in?
Where is wild salmon caught in the US?
Do salmon live in the Gulf of Mexico?
What is Bluehouse salmon?
One day, most of that fish product will be Bluehouse Salmon! It starts with our $200 million site in Homestead, FL, home to what our parent company, Atlantic Sapphire, says will eventually be the largest land-based salmon raising facility on the planet. Atlantic Sapphire aims to supply at least 12% of U.S. and Canadian salmon by 2031.
How many tons of salmon does homestead produce?
The Homestead facility is slated to produce up to 220,000 tons of salmon. Some fun facts! Our parent company will launch phase two of construction at its Homestead site in 2021 and plan to complete its four-phase development by 2031.
How many fish are swimming in a tank in Florida?
In a series of indoor tanks 40 miles south west of Miami, Florida, five million fish are swimming in circles a very long way from home. The fish in question are Atlantic salmon, which are far more typically found in the cold waters of Norway’s fjords or Scotland’s lochs.
Can salmon be raised on land?
“When we started [exploring the concept] 10 years ago, people thought we were completely crazy,” says Johan Andreassen, chief executive of Atlantic Sapphire, which is a Norwegian-owned business. “No-one was recognising that raising salmon on land would ever become financially viable, or even doable.