Pine Island Redfish co-founders Tom Sorby and Megan Sorby (CEO), pictured at their fish farming facility in Florida.
Photo: Pine Island Redfish.
Florida-based Pine Island Redfish, the first U.S. aquaculture company to farm red drum using RAS, has announced the successful completion of its initial harvest of farm-raised redfish. The fish is now available at selected Publix locations in Sarasota, Florida, as well as in several restaurants across the state.
“Since launching Pine Island Redfish late in 2023, we have concentrated on our biological prep work at our demonstration scale facility. And now, our efforts are paying off,” said Megan Sorby, CEO of Pine Island Redfish, in a press release.
“March 2025 marks our first harvest and now we begin to fulfill the strong retail and restaurant demand for this incredible fish across the US," she added.
Megan Sorby holds a red drum cultivated by Pine Island Redfish.
Photo: Pine Island Redfish.
Redfish, or red drum, is a fish species native to the U.S. Atlantic, but in 2007 a federal ban was introduced on commercial fishing of the wild fish due to overfishing, with only sport fishing currently permitted.
“Pine Island Redfish is bringing this highly prized fish back to the menu with RAS production and no compromise of our wild stock. We can offer year-round, consistent quality redfish," said Sorby, who co-founded Pine Island Redfish with husband Tom Sorby in 2023. “We are proudly the only ‘Fresh from Florida’ source, and we are grateful to be supported by Florida Division of Aquaculture in bringing this native fish home," Sorby said.
In addition to fish production, Pine Island Redfish sees sustainability and regenerative practices as central to its approach. The farm repurposes its fish waste to support the growth of mangroves and salt-tolerant plants like sea purslane and barilla. Sorby noted that this year’s harvest has contributed to the growth of over 5,000 mangroves, which will be used in coastal restoration efforts along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“It is pretty special to bring our redfish to market knowing that for consumers, it is a seafood they can truly feel great about. It strengthened and nourished the future of our coastal ecosystems before making its way to market," Sorby stated.
Florida employee-owned supermarket chain Publix, which promotes local aquaculture, is now including the fish as part of its seafood retail offerings.
“Our mission statement calls for us to be responsible citizens in our communities,” said Guy Pizzuti, Publix Business Development Director of Seafood. “The Pine Island Redfish project allows us to continue our support of local, Florida aquaculture. We are excited to offer this exclusive, limited harvest of sustainable, Florida-farmed redfish to our customers in the Sarasota area.”
Sorby said she viewed the collaboration with Publix as a step forward for the company and its RAS technology.
"To have an esteemed retailer such as Publix carry our sustainable, Florida-farmed redfish is a testament to the success of our regenerative RAS technology. US consumers value food that’s sustainable and sourced close to home. And with our anticipated success of this exclusive first harvest, we will begin gearing up for a more extensive second harvest later this year and the next steps in achieving that year round supply," Sorby said.
