Independent Aquaculture Consultancy | Warsaw, Poland • Operating Globally
+39 348 565 1423 [email protected] linkedin.com/in/nicola-scalise
NICOLA SCALISE — FOUNDER & SENIOR AQUACULTURE EXPERT

Commercial Aquaculture Engineering, Turnaround & Precision Biology

Founded by Senior Aquaculture Expert Nicola Scalise, Exos Aqua is an independent aquaculture consulting firm focused on precision biology, biosecurity, and advanced technology integration for commercial shrimp and marine production.

With over 15 years of hands-on international experience managing commercial farms and hatcheries from initial feasibility study to full-scale production, Exos Aqua advises producers, investors, and operators globally by merging boots-on-the-ground operational data with resilient facility engineering.

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15+ Years Managing Commercial Farms & Hatcheries
End-to-End From Feasibility Study to Full Production
Global Network Collaborative Hub of Industry Specialists
Core Proficiencies

Comprehensive Biological & Engineering Capabilities

Integrated technical command across the complete aquaculture value chain—from broodstock maturation, live feed, and hatchery design to super-intensive RAS/biofloc growout, processing, and commercial business planning.

Aquatic Biology & Ecology

Applied marine biology, species physiology, aquaculture microbiology (including Vibrio sp. diagnostics), genetic selection programs, and custom artificial seawater mineral formulations.

Aquaculture RAS

Start-up, optimization, and filtration overhaul of high-yield Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) for commercial indoor shrimp and marine production facilities.

Biofloc Farming

Super-intensive greenhouse and indoor biofloc technology (BFT) management, microbial community equilibrium, parameter optimization, and productivity turnarounds.

Post-Larvae Production

Broodstock maturation, reproduction, larval rearing protocols, mortality troubleshooting, and stable post-larvae supply across P. vannamei, P. stylirostris, P. monodon, and M. japonicus.

Live Feed Production

Industrial-scale microalgae cultivation (up to 20 billion cells/day of marine diatoms and flagellates), strain maintenance systems, and live feed protocols for crustacean and bivalve hatcheries.

Shrimp Processing

Harvesting workflows, post-harvest quality preservation, processing plant operations, and distribution standards for fresh and commercial shrimp targeting the European market.

System Design & Engineering

3D spatial hatchery and farm layouts, process flow diagrams, water treatment engineering, automation and filtration redesign, and on-site construction supervision.

Business Planning & Due Diligence

Feasibility studies, technical due diligence for farm acquisitions, CAPEX/OPEX procurement coordination, SOP standardization, and workforce management systems.

Consulting Track Record

Recent & Earlier Consulting Mandates

Delivering measurable operational turnarounds, hatchery engineering, and production scaling for commercial aquaculture enterprises across Europe.

2026 – Present Germany
Senior Management Consultant

HanseGarnele

Farm Acquisition & Operational Turnaround

  • Strategic Acquisition & Due Diligence: Supervised the strategic acquisition and technical due diligence of an insolvent commercial shrimp farm, successfully transitioning the asset into operational status.
  • Infrastructure & Filtration Overhaul: Overhauled facility infrastructure by engineering a complete redesign of the automation and filtration systems.
  • Precision Water Quality: Resolved critical technical issues by implementing precision water quality management protocols.
  • Workforce & Routine Standardization: Standardized daily farm routines and implemented a modern workforce management system, driving operational efficiency and accountability across all personnel.
2026 – Present Germany
Hatchery Turnaround & SOPs

Suburban Sea Foods

Hatchery Reactivation & Post-Larvae Stabilization

  • Facility Revival: Revived a long-dormant hatchery facility, establishing its first-ever stable and consistent post-larvae production.
  • Personnel Training: Delivered hands-on personnel training for small-scale commercial hatchery production.
  • SOP Implementation: Authored and instituted standard operating procedures (SOPs) for hatchery production and water treatment.
2025 Germany
Lead Consulting Engineer

Landgarnele

3D Compact Hatchery Engineering & Construction Supervision

  • Spatially Optimized Design: Created a full 3D layout for a compact, temporary hatchery system designed to overcome severe space limitations.
  • Construction Oversight: Supervised all stages of physical construction in direct partnership with contractors to translate digital designs into an operational facility.
  • Logistics & Supply: Coordinated the strategic procurement and supply chain management for all specialized hatchery materials.
  • Workforce Development: Personally trained local staff on critical daily hatchery routines, water quality management, and larval rearing protocols.
2023 Germany
Hatchery & Live Feed Consultant

Rheingarnelen

Ornamental Amano Shrimp Hatchery & Microalgae Optimization

  • Microalgae System Optimization: Established a stable, reliable system for maintaining microalgae strains at an ornamental Amano shrimp hatchery, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality feed.
  • Targeted Troubleshooting: Investigated critical mortality issues in the larval rearing phase by diagnosing and mitigating multiple potential physical, chemical, and biological causes.
2022 – 2023 France
Hatchery Design & Training

Lisaqua

Hatchery Engineering & Water Treatment Architecture

  • Workforce Training: Conducted comprehensive personnel training for small-scale hatchery production.
  • Process Engineering: Developed system design and flow diagrams for hatchery production and water treatment loops.
2021 – 2022 Romania
Growout & Water Chemistry Advisor

Blue fish

Pilot-Scale P. vannamei Production & Artificial Seawater Formulation

  • Growout Training: Full personnel training for P. vannamei growout production at pilot scale.
  • Custom Ionic Formulation: Engineered a self-designed mineral mix for fast shrimp growth in artificial seawater.
2020 – 2021 Lithuania
Biofloc Optimization Consultant

Local Ocean

P. vannamei Biofloc Farm Productivity Turnaround

  • Biofloc Performance Improvement: Executed comprehensive performance improvements in a commercial P. vannamei biofloc farm.
  • Operational Scaling: Delivered productivity optimization protocols and intensive personnel training.
2019 – 2021 Switzerland
Production & Hatchery Consultant

SwissShrimp AG

Parameter Optimization & Hatchery Concept Design

  • +200% Yield Increase: Optimization of biological and operational parameters leading to a 200% production increase.
  • Hatchery Blueprinting: Delivered concept design and flow diagrams for a P. vannamei shrimp hatchery.
Management & Entrepreneurial Experience

15+ Years of Executive Farm & Hatchery Leadership

Direct C-suite, General Manager, Board Member, and Hatchery Manager accountability across commercial shrimp, bivalve, and crustacean operations in Europe and West Africa.

Feb 2024 – 2025

The Sustainable Shrimp Ltd

General Manager
  • Led the start-up of a high-yield Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) shrimp facility.
  • Established operational and biological guidelines for 100% sustainable shrimp production.
Oct 2021 – 2023

Thetis Acquacoltura S.R.L. & Albarella Acquacoltura S.R.L. (Italy)

Director (Multi-Company)
  • Directed clam hatchery and nursery start-up operations and comprehensive personnel training.
  • Scaled industrial microalgae production to 20 billion cells per day (marine diatoms and flagellates).
  • Managed upwelling and nursery production of Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum).
  • Pioneered and launched the first European commercial production of soft-shell crab (Callinectes sapidus).
Oct 2019 – 2021

White Panther Production GmbH (Austria)

Hatchery Manager
  • Directed full hatchery start-up and technical personnel training.
  • Established the first commercial European shrimp hatchery operating on artificial seawater.
  • Managed reproduction and larval rearing of both Penaeus vannamei and Penaeus stylirostris.
  • Developed and led the first genetic selection program for P. stylirostris in Europe.
2017 – 2019

Eco Shrimp Farms (Europe)

Founder / Operations
  • Managed commercial production and European distribution of shrimp post-larvae for Marsupenaeus japonicus and Penaeus vannamei.
2014 – 2018

Eco-Farming srl (Italy)

Board Member & Shareholder | Production Manager
  • Designed and managed a super-intensive greenhouse biofloc shrimp farm.
  • Oversaw commercial production and distribution of fresh P. vannamei for the European market.
2012 – 2014

West Africa Aquaculture Ltd (The Gambia)

Hatchery Department Manager (2012–2014) & Processing Manager (2012–2013)
  • Hatchery Department Manager (2012–2014): Directed production of Penaeus monodon post-larvae for internal farm stocking, overseeing broodstock maturation, live feed production, and larval rearing.
  • Processing Manager (2012–2013): Managed seasonal commercial shrimp harvesting and processing operations for export to the European market.
Academic Credentials & Research

Education & Scientific Training

Grounded in peer-reviewed marine biology, aquaculture genetics, and microbiology research at leading European institutions.

University Degrees

2010

Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainable Aquaculture

University of Stirling — Scotland, United Kingdom

Institute of Aquaculture — International center for aquaculture research and commercial system development.

2004 – 2008

Master’s Degree in Marine Biology and Ecology

Università degli Studi di Messina — Messina, Italy

Specialized in marine ecosystems, aquatic organism physiology, and applied biological research.

Main Scientific Trainings & Research

2009

Institute of Aquaculture — Genetic Department

University of Stirling (Scotland, UK)

Provided technical assistance in aquaculture genetics research projects (published in Leclercq et al., 2011).

Jun 2006 – 2008

Istituto Talassografico di Messina

CNR — Italian National Research Council (Italy)

Technical assistance in marine research projects and execution of personal Master’s research project in aquaculture microbiology focusing on Vibrio sp.

Direct Executive Contact

Engage Exos Aqua

Whether you are evaluating a farm acquisition, planning a 3D hatchery or RAS build, resolving larval mortality, or standardizing commercial farm operations, contact Nicola Scalise directly.

Telephone / WhatsApp +39 348 565 1423
Office Location
ul. Piotra Gruszczyńskiego 17/10
02-693 Warsaw, Poland

Project & Advisory Inquiry

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