Fresh By Design

10/06/2026

Project Summary - New Sydney Fish Market

We are pleased to share the completion of the live crustacean system and wholesale live seafood systems at the new Sydney Fish Market.

Our project scope included the design, supply, installation and commissioning of:

• A central, the live crustacean system including three replicate recirculating seawater systems designed to hold a range of live crustacean species, each with dedicated water quality and temperature control. The system includes capacity for up to seven plug in transportable live seafood tanks.
• Four independent wholesale live seafood systems , each configured as standalone units to support individual tenant operations.

The live crustacean system included:
• Concrete sumps, seawater storage and wastewater tanks
• FRP and acrylic enclosures
• FRP racking with overhead adjustable flow system with capacity for 360 storage tubs
• Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems Sparus water pumps with constant flow technology and variable speed control
• Waterco media filters with zeolite media
• MBBR biofilters with C1 media (1000m2/m3)
• MAT Kuling protein skimmers with auto backwash system
• ClearWater Tech ozone generators with variable output control
• AirSep oxygen concentrators
• Ultraaqua UV & Ozone Systems UV sterilisers with UV sensors
• Sondex titanium plate HEX’s
• Waterco digiheat In-line heaters
• Esam air blowers with silencers, inlet filters and pressure relief valves
• Hayward Pool Products automatic 3 way valves
• OxyGuard International pacific water quality monitoring and control (ph, DO, ORP, Temp and Ultrasonic Level Sensors) supplied by Technolab

The Wholesale Live Seafood Systems included:
• Fibreglass tanks
• Waterco water pumps
• Biofilters with bio-ball media
• MAT Kuling protein skimmers with auto backwash system
• Pentair UV sterilisers
• Oasis heat pumps (heat/chill)
• Kamair air pump

This project was delivered in close collaboration with Sydney Fish Market (Erik Poole and Adam Wood) and the Multiplex team, resulting in robust, live seafood infrastructure designed for long term operational reliability and animal welfare outcomes.

Adam Wood, Head of Supply Chain, Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd.

“The delivery of the live crustacean system for the new Sydney Fish Market was a significant and highly specialised project, and Fresh By Design played an important role in its success. From design through to installation and commissioning, their team demonstrated a strong understanding of live seafood handling requirements and worked collaboratively to ensure the system met the operational needs of our market.

Fresh by Design’s professionalism, responsiveness and willingness to work through the challenges that naturally arise in a project of this scale. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to organisations seeking high-quality live seafood, aquaculture"

01/06/2026

Meet Ben Pope — Founder & Managing Director, Fresh By Design

Every company has an origin story. Ours starts with a science degree, a pilot barramundi farm, and a belief that Australian aquaculture deserved better equipment and better support.

Ben Pope founded Fresh By Design in 2004 after completing his Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture at the University of Tasmania in 1999. After this he dove straight in, planning and building a pilot recirculating aquaculture facility in Moss Vale, NSW, to grow barramundi for the local market.
That combination of science, practical building knowledge, and real operational experience became the foundation of everything Fresh By Design does today.

Over the past two decades, FBD has grown from a one-man operation into one of Australia and New Zealand's leading aquaculture and aquarium equipment and systems providers. The team delivers end-to-end solutions from system design and construction through to equipment supply and ongoing technical support.

The project list continues to grow each year: the world's largest purpose-built platypus conservation centre at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, world-class salmon research facilities at Cawthron Institute, the Macquarie Perch Recovery Centre at Snobs Creek to name a few.

Through it all, Ben's approach hasn't changed, combine deep technical knowledge with genuine partnerships with customers and suppliers to deliver the best possible outcome.

14/05/2026

Fresh By Design is heading to Ozwater in Brisbane — Lachlan Bassett and Clement Pissoat will be there.

Please get in touch if you would like to meet and discuss any product or project opportunities.

30/04/2026

Every aquaculture and aquatic facility is different, so we don’t believe in one size fits all. We design, supply, and deliver systems that are purpose-built for your species, site, and operational goals.

From RAS for commercial aquaculture farms to specialist LSS for major zoos and public aquariums, we build systems that solve real-world challenges and stand up to daily operation.

With a proven track record spanning over 20 years, our role doesn’t stop at installation — we provide long-term support to ensure your system performs as intended.

Our experience includes:

• Commercial production systems – hatcheries, broodstock, larval rearing, and grow out
• Research & development systems – variable-parameter systems for feed, health, and growth trials including PC2 facilities
• Specialist species systems – salmon, trout, barramundi, prawns, yellowtail kingfish, rock Lobsters, seaweed, microalgae and even platypus

Our focus is efficient operation, robust system design and long term performance.

Here are some of the systems we have delivered over the years.

16/04/2026

We’re excited to welcome EcoTech Marine Pumps and NYOS Protein Skimmers into our range. These high‑quality solutions are designed for efficient, reliable water management, offering precise flow control, consistent performance, and proven long‑term operation.

Well suited to compact and specialist applications, these products are ideal for small marine systems, rack systems, aquaculture research facilities, education and training systems and aquaponics setups where control and water quality are critical.

Explore the full range on our website or contact our team for advice

Ecotech Pumps - https://freshbydesign.com.au/aquaponic-aquaculture-products/water-pumps/submersible-pumps/ecotech-vectra-return-pump-range/

Nyos Protein Skimmer - https://freshbydesign.com.au/aquaponic-aquaculture-products/protein-skimmers/nyos-quantum-protein-skimmers/

02/03/2026

New Contract Announcement!

Fresh By Design is proud to announce that we have been awarded the contract to design and construct the new hatchery systems for NSW Fisheries (NSW DPI) at the Gaden Trout Hatchery.

As part of a $5 million Snowy Hydro funded expansion of the Gaden Trout Hatchery, NSW DPI is delivering a new, world‑class recirculating aquaculture facility designed to safeguard the Snowy Mountains trout industry for the long term. The investment forms a key component of the Snowy 2.0 Recreational Fishing Management Plan, supporting the production of larger, more resilient rainbow and brown trout. The expanded facility will significantly increase hatchery capability, with capacity to produce up to 20 tonnes of trout annually, helping protect recreational fisheries and mitigate risks associated with climate variability and pest species.

The project comprises four x Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), each including 4 × 5,000 L polyethylene circular tanks, providing a modular, repeatable platform for hatchery operations. Each system is designed to deliver stable water quality, operational reliability, and high levels of control across all critical parameters.

Each RAS includes:
· Faivre Drum Filter for solids removal
· MBBR biofiltration for nitrification
· Return pumping system
· Ultraaqua UV & Ozone Systems UV Sterilization
· Temperature control via Heat Pumps
· Polishing mechanical filtration through an Dryden Aqua AFM media filtration loop

The hatchery systems are further supported by these centralised systems:
· OxyGuard International by Technolab water quality monitoring and control system
· Arvo-Tec Automatic feeding system
· Aeration supplied by a Sprintex Turbo jet blower system

Fresh By Design looks forward to working closely with NSW DPI to deliver a robust, efficient, and bio secure hatchery system that supports long‑term performance and operational flexibility at the Gaden facility.

18/02/2026

We’re pleased to announce that Fresh By Design has entered into an exclusive distributor agreement with Bubbletech.eu for Australia and New Zealand.

This partnership allows us to bring BubbleTECH’s high‑performance diffuser technology including Oxyprax to the Australian and New Zealand aquaculture and water treatment markets, backed by Fresh By Design’s experienced engineering, supply, and after‑sales support teams.

By consolidating supply and support locally, this agreement ensures:

• Improved availability and lead times of the products
• Local technical support and system integration
• A stronger platform for ongoing development and collaboration

We look forward to working closely with BubbleTECH to support current and future projects across the region.

For product enquiries or technical discussions, please contact the Fresh By Design team.

13/02/2026

Introducing to our range - Gaia Water Nanobubble Generators

Gaia Nanobubble Generators use advanced ultrafine bubble (UFB) technology to deliver bubbles as small as ~100 nanometers, achieving 80–95% gas transfer efficiency and maintaining dissolved gases for weeks, not days.

Designed for seamless integration into new or existing aquaculture systems, Gaia technology provides superior gas dissolution, longer oxygen retention, and improved water quality — all with lower energy demand.

Suitable for Oxygen , Ozone , CO₂ , Nitrogen and Hydrogen.

Please contact us for more info or check the link below.

https://freshbydesign.com.au/aquaponic-aquaculture-products/mechanical-filtration/gaia-nanobubble-generators/

Gaia Nanobubble Generators

02/02/2026

Fresh By Design is teaming up with Aquaculture Learning Lab and Denise Hearn for a focused webinar on micro‑training that works in real farm environments. Their micro‑training model blends clear instruction, engaging delivery, and real‑world relevance—making it easier for operators to develop skills, reduce errors, and maintain high standards across aquaculture system.

We’ll explore:

• Bite‑sized, job‑specific learning that helps operators retain and share critical knowledge
• Standardise key tasks, and make better day‑to‑day decisions.
• A live Q&A to discuss your challenges and how micro‑training can be adapted to your operation.

📅 Date: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
🕙 Time 10:00–11:00am AEDT
💻Location: Online – Microsoft Teams

Register now – link below

https://lnkd.in/gytd3D4i

18/12/2025

As we wrap up another year, everyone at Fresh By Design extends heartfelt thanks for your ongoing partnership and support.
Please note that our office will be closed from 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026. We hope 2026 brings us all growth, happiness, and continued success!