Indoor recirculating tank fish farm

Local restaurants, independent fishmongers, farm shops and households buying direct, often paying extra for fresh, local fish.

Sales per kilo of fish once they reach harvest size. Income starts only after the first batch has grown, so cash flow needs planning.

• Technical know-how with pumps and filters
• Careful daily monitoring
• Building relationships with local buyers

• Aquaculture businesses generally need registration or authorisation with the fish health authority, check what applies in your part of the UK
• Energy costs and power cuts can be a serious risk, so budget for backup
• Discharge of waste water may need permission, check with the environment regulator
• Planning permission or business rates may apply to a unit or converted outbuilding, check with your council
• Food business registration with your local council is usually needed if you sell fish for eating
• Stock losses from disease or equipment failure, so think about insurance and starting small
• Fit-out costs for tanks, filtration, building work, electrics and backup power can be high, so get several quotes before committing

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £40,000 to £150,000, depending on tanks, filtration, building work, electrics and backup power. Fit-out costs can be high, so get several quotes before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £4,000, depending on how much fish you sell and to whom. Local restaurants, fishmongers, farm shops and direct customers may pay extra for fresh, local fish.

Things to check include registration or authorisation with the fish health authority in your part of the UK, permission for waste water discharge from the environment regulator, planning permission or business rates from your council, and food business registration with your local council.