Precision, Stewardship, and the New Standard for the iconic Australian GroUper
In a purpose-built, closed-loop world where precision replaces chance, EcoMarine is redefining how Australia raises a Great Barrier Reef native.
— Ryan Keck
Shaped by Innovation
The Great Barrier Reef, where wild grouper once ruled the currents, is the starting point for a new chapter in Australian aquaculture. At the heart of this story is Ryan Keck, founder and CEO of EcoMarine, whos background fuses technical mastery with the demands of a chef’s palate. Now on a new site in Northern NSW's seafood heart of Yamba, Ryan has built a company that doesn’t just farm fish—it reimagines what’s possible for the future of seafood.
EcoMarine’s journey began with a simple but radical question: What if you could raise one of Australia’s most iconic native fish, the Giant Groper, with the same consistency, quality, and environmental care as the world’s best produce? The answer is found in a facility where stainless steel, sensors, and human hands work in harmony, and where every detail is tuned for excellence.
Practice: What They Do and How They Do It
EcoMarine’s advanced Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are the backbone of its operation. These closed-loop systems replicate the best of nature—stable temperatures, pristine water, and optimal conditions—every day of the year. The result is a Giant Baby Grouper with a clean, elegant flavor, ideal texture, and reliable sizing that arrives kitchen-ready, harvest after harvest.
But technology is only part of the story. Behind the precision is a team that treats husbandry as a craft. Every fish is raised with meticulous, hands-on care, from feeding to health checks to harvest where the Ike Jime is employed, a rarity in aquaculture product. It’s a process that values the individual animal and the integrity of the final product—because great seafood isn’t manufactured, it’s cultivated with intention.
Regeneration and Responsibility
EcoMarine’s systems are designed for the future of ethical fisheries. Water use is drastically reduced, with near-zero discharge and a closed-loop approach that protects the environment. Wild fish stocks are protected, with industry leading feed conversion, and a closed system and stringent biosecurity protocols eliminate the need for antibiotics. Every aspect of the operation is transparent and efficient.
This is sustainability that performs at the pass—built for chefs who demand both integrity and excellence. By removing the unpredictability of wild catch and the environmental risks of low quality traditional aquaculture.
Each fish tells the same story—clean, responsibly raised food, that is designed with the plate in mind. It’s a standard that aims to change the narrative for Australian aquaculture, where environmental stewardship, culinary interest, and consistenty exist in unison.
Key Stats
Closed-loop RAS technology: EcoMarine’s systems recycle water, drastically reducing usage and environmental impact.
Near-zero discharge: Effluent is treated and reused, protecting local waterways and wild stocks.
No antibiotics: Stringent biosecurity and health management eliminate the need for routine antibiotics.
Consistent quality: Every Giant Baby Grouper is raised to precise standards for flavor, texture, and size.
Chef-focused: Product arrives kitchen-ready, with reliable sizing and year-round availability.