Please cite this article as: Badiola, M., Mendiola, D., Bostock, J., Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) analysis: main issues on management and future challenges, Aquacultural Engineering (2010Engineering ( ), doi:10.1016Engineering ( /j.aquaeng.2012 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Page 1 of 48A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t Abstract The main issues for Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are analyzed, in order to lead to better solutions for future managers, identifying possible areas for improvements and future challenges for the industry. RAS-based production companies, researchers, system suppliers and consultants were interviewed separately, in order to gain an overall understanding of those systems and what developments could assist, in a positive way. Answers and subsequent analysis identified as significant barriers: poor participation by the producers; a disincentive on sharing information; and a lack of communication between different parties. The main issues are poor designs of the systems, as many had been modified after a previous approach was unsuitable; and their poor management, due mainly to an absence of skilled people taking responsibility for water quality and mechanical problems. As RAS will play an important role within the future of aquaculture, their enhancement is needed. Key priorities are the necessity to improve equipment performance, through researching at a commercial scale and further work on the best combinations of devices for each particular situation. Additional recommendations are for a specialized platform, to share knowledge on RAS, together with a more indepth and distinctive education programme.Keywords: Recirculating systems, design, analysis, operation constraints, system management, recirculation challenges. Page 2 of 48A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t Highlights  RAS companies, researchers and consultants all over the world were surveyed  Poor system designs, water quality issues and mechanical problems are the main constraints. 50% of the surveyed companies have been rebuilt or redesigned due to RAS system´s failure. More than 8 years are need to get back initial investment  In the future, information platforms, their availability and specialized education will be required Highlights (for review)

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Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is currently the highest valued species grown in Europe. The industry has been on the frontline of public concerns regarding sustainability which has increased the use of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Salmon has changed from a luxury product to global commodity. Nevertheless, food products need to meet consumers demand for the industry to be successful. Descriptive sensory tests present a sophisticated tool for the comparison of product prototypes to understand consumer responses in relation to sensory attributes. Aquaculture is being promoted in the Basque region with the aim of creating a sustainable and complementary economic activity to the fishing and seafood sectors. Here, RAS and salmon have been prioritized as a potential technology and species respectively. Both salmon's growth and a hedonic evaluation of the final product's consumer acceptance and purchasing intention were studied. One thousand five hundred salmon individuals were grown for 497 days at two different thermal regimes in two pilot-scale RAS units using partial reuse water recirculation systems. Growth rates were significantly different for both temperature regimes during the second summer season; some compensatory growth patterns were observed that followed the timing of the natural thermal regime. No significant differences were observed at sensorial level between fillet samples from the present study and salmon from Denmark. Consumer's high level of acceptance and positive product purchasing intention reflect the possibility of locally marketing RAS grown salmon. This study refers to the first technical attempt at salmon in land-based aquaculture systems in northern Spain.