Designing the Future of Coral Aquaculture: Jeff Turner on Sustainable Reef Innovation

Designing the Future of Coral Aquaculture

When Jeff Turner, President and CEO of Reef Aquaria Design (RAD), steps into one of his reef installations, it’s not just a business — it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. From tank-raised clownfish to self-sustaining coral colonies, Turner has built a career turning science into spectacle and sustainability into a circular business model.

We’re building high-caliber, high-quality homes for fish and jellyfish — it’s never a boring day.

Behind that humor lies a deep understanding of chemistry, engineering, and ecology — the foundation of modern coral aquaculture.

From Hobby to Global Industry

What began in the 1970s as an experimental family project — breeding clownfish in a Miami living room — evolved into a cornerstone of today’s Blue Economy. Turner’s early exposure to marine aquaculture taught him that successful reef systems rely on more than biology. They depend on chemistry, construction, and circular design.

At RAD’s South Florida headquarters, every aquarium tells a story of innovation. Using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), precise water chemistry, and in-house coral propagation, RAD ensures that each installation not only thrives but regenerates. Overgrown corals are harvested, cultivated, and reused in future client projects — a perfect model of sustainability in motion.

Our clients’ aquariums become the seed stock for the next reef. It’s the definition of circular economy — we grow, harvest, and rebuild.

Sustainability Through Science

Modern coral aquaculture isn’t just about beauty. It’s about balance. Turner’s systems combine environmental engineering with biological precision, replicating natural reef chemistry in controlled environments. By mastering elements like calcium, alkalinity, and oxygen reduction potential, RAD creates stable ecosystems where corals and fish flourish.

From the Smithsonian’s coral reef exhibit in Washington, D.C., to luxury hospitality projects like Steak 954 at the W Hotel, Turner’s work demonstrates that art, science, and business can coexist in perfect harmony — and profitability.

The more fish and corals we can raise, the less we take from the ocean. That’s what the Blue Economy is all about — doing good while doing business.

Florida’s Role in the Blue Economy

Florida’s marine economy is uniquely positioned for growth. With one of the world’s most regulated wild fisheries and the third-largest coral reef system globally, the state serves as both a testbed and a beacon for sustainable innovation. Turner sees this as a call to action — a chance to align environmental ethics with economic momentum.

Every coral we grow in-house protects a piece of reef in the wild. That’s the kind of impact we want to multiply.

Building the Next Generation of Experts

Beyond aquaculture systems, Turner is shaping the future workforce. Through his “A-Team” training and certification initiative, RAD aims to professionalize aquarium management and elevate career pathways in marine technology. As automation and data analytics enter the sector, skilled technicians who understand both biology and engineering will be in higher demand than ever.

Fish never take a day off. It’s 365 days a year — passion, precision, and persistence.

A Vision That Endures

After five decades in the industry, Turner remains a pioneer at the intersection of design and ecology. Whether growing endangered corals for restoration, designing bespoke reef systems, or mentoring the next generation of aquaculture professionals, his mission is clear: build beauty with purpose — and longevity.

We have to think 25 years ahead. Every system we build must be designed to last — for the client, for the ocean, and for the planet.

About Reef Aquaria Design (RAD)

Website: reefaquariadesign.com

YouTube: Reef Aquaria Design

Instagram: @reefaquariadesign

About the Marine Research Hub of South Florida

Website: marineresearchhub.org

LinkedIn: Marine Research Hub of South Florida