Aquaculture advice from people who have done it themselves
Aquaco Advisors LLC grew out of ten years of building and running a commercial aquaculture business, from the first site plan to a successful exit.
From one Florida RAS farm to projects around the world
In 2015, our founder, Joe Cardenas, started Aquaco LLC with one goal: to build a commercial-scale, land-based marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility raising sustainable seafood in Florida.
He didn't just plan it. He took the company through every stage a real aquaculture business goes through: writing the site plan, raising capital, selecting the site, managing construction, and running day-to-day operations. In 2025, Aquaco LLC achieved a successful exit.
Aquaco Advisors LLC was launched to share that hands-on experience, and the industry relationships built along the way, with other aquaculture projects. When we advise you on a business plan, a system design, or an operating procedure, it's because we've faced the same decisions on our own farm.
The Aquaco LLC journey, stage by stage
Every stage below is also a service we now offer. That's no coincidence: each one taught us something we now pass on to clients.
- 2015: Aquaco LLC founded. The goal was a commercial-scale, land-based marine RAS facility producing sustainable seafood in Florida.
- Business plan. Wrote the plan that would carry the project. Business plan services
- Capital raise. Secured the investment needed to build. Capital raise support · What investors look for
- Site selection. Found and evaluated a location suited to a land-based marine system. Site selection · Feasibility questions to ask
- Construction. Took the facility from plans to a working farm. Execution services
- Day-to-day operations. Operated the finished facility. Operations services
- 2025: Successful exit. Aquaco Advisors LLC was launched to share the experience.
11 years across systems, species, and clients
Our aquaculture industry experience covers all system types and a wide range of clients, from small operations to government and international programs.
System types
- Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)
- Life support systems (LSS)
- Sea cage operations
- Land-based hatcheries
- Land-based grow-out facilities
Clients
- Private groups and small farms
- Government operations
- Public zoos and aquariums
- Major international projects
Recent project regions
- United States
- Mexico
- Canada
- Africa
- Australia
Honest, unbiased, and backed by a network of experts
Relationships built over 11 years
Much of what we bring to a project isn't on a spreadsheet. It's the relationships we've built with vendors, suppliers, and industry experts across the aquaculture world. When your project needs a specialist, a second opinion, or a reliable supplier, we know who to call.
That network, combined with first-hand operating experience, is why clients from single-task engagements to international programs bring us in.
Honest and unbiased
We tell you what we'd want to hear if it were our project, even when that means recommending a smaller first step or a different approach. Our recommendations aren't shaped by what we'd like to sell you.
A network and a team approach
Years of building relationships with vendors, suppliers, and industry experts means you're not hiring one person. You get access to a strong network and a team that can bring in the right specialist for each question.
New technology, proven practice
We combine the latest aquaculture technology with proven systems and husbandry practices. Innovation is welcome where it helps, and it's never a substitute for what's known to work.
Who we work best with: people skeptical enough to seek answers from multiple sources, and confident enough to recognize a firm that is honest and unbiased. If you're comparing advisors, we welcome the comparison.
Featured in business and aquaculture industry media
The Aquaco LLC farm and its founder have been covered by Florida Trend, the magazine of Florida business, and by RASTECH, a trade magazine focused on recirculating aquaculture systems.
Get answers from someone who has been there
Tell us where your project stands. We'll give you a straight assessment of what it needs next.