Having reached its fundraising goals, redfish-farming firm Pine Island Redfish has begun construction on a new facility in Southwest Florida that will grow the company’s production capacity.
"Breaking ground on Pine Island is an exciting milestone for our company and will fulfill a substantial demand for locally produced seafood," Pine Island Redfish Co-Founder and CEO Megan Sorby said.
The company has been operating out of its demonstration facility at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park in Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A., where its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is capable of producing 10 metric tons (MT) of redfish annually. In March 2025, Pine Island Redfish completed its first harvest, and in November 2025, following a second harvest, the company announced that it had exceeded its production targets by 35 percent for the year.
"We've proven our production model, built strong relationships with customers, and demonstrated real demand for our redfish. Now, with the support of our investors, we're ready to take the next step and expand production on our namesake Pine Island,” Sorby said. “The response from the market has been incredibly encouraging. From retail partners like Publix, which has been a strong supporter of Florida aquaculture, to chefs and restaurant groups asking for more product, we're seeing real enthusiasm for what we're producing. Redfish has a loyal following in the South and along the East Coast, and we're excited to bring this exceptional American species to more consumers."
Pine Island Redfish will continue producing fish at the Sarasota facility while it builds out its new facility on Pine Island, where it has secured permits to begin a phased expansion on its 80-acre property. The company previously told SeafoodSource that the new facility would be capable of producing 800 MT annually.
The expansion comes after the company raised USD 6 million (EUR 5.4 million) in a Series A financing round, with support from Sarasota-based investment network Bridge Angel Investors.
“At Bridge Angel Investors, we focus on supporting innovative Florida companies with the potential to transform industries and create lasting economic impact,” Bridge Angel Investors Executive Director Kim Miele said in a release. “Pine Island Redfish has demonstrated that its technology works, its product is in demand, and its leadership team has a clear vision for growth. We see tremendous potential in the company's approach to sustainable seafood production, particularly its commitment to combining commercial success with environmental stewardship. We're proud to support Pine Island Redfish as it takes this important step toward scaling its operations.”
The expansion project will also continue the company’s coastal restoration efforts, which include planting mangrove plants along the Florida coast. The company has cultivated and replanted 75,000 mangrove plants to date, and mangrove cultivation has already begun at the Pine Island expansion site.
"For us, sustainability goes beyond how we raise our fish," Sorby said. "It's about finding value in the resources our systems produce and putting them back to work. As we build out Pine Island, we have an opportunity to demonstrate true regenerative aquaculture, demonstrating how commercial seafood production and environmental restoration can grow together."
