- Job boosting concession area is three-and-a-half times the
size of Washington DC
- Landmark deal increases Forever Oceans finfish production
capability by more than 25% and positions Brazil as an emerging leader in sustainable
seafood
BRASILIA, Brazil, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Bien, the CEO of Forever Oceans, a leading
innovator in sustainable seafood, met today with Jorge Seif Junior, Secretary of Aquaculture and
Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply to
sign a concession agreement that puts Brazil on track to be an emerging leader in
sustainable seafood production. The initial 20-year agreement
authorizes Forever Oceans to ocean-raise fish within automated
enclosures in two zones, located 7-15km (4.3-9.3 miles) off the
Brazilian coast of the state of Bahia. Together, they represent the
largest offshore concession ever given for sustainable marine
aquaculture, totaling 64,200 hectares, an area three-and-a half
times the size of Washington DC.
The operation is expected to create up to 500 jobs over the next
eight years.
"With a coastline of more than 8,500 km, Brazil is one of the main frontiers for fish
production, generating, in addition to healthy food, employment and
income," said Seif. "This landmark agreement is historic for
Brazil and will set the country on
the path to the development of sustainable marine aquaculture."
In 2018, the global marine aquaculture market produced 7.3
million metric tons of finfish valued at US$35.4 billion(1). The global demand
for finfish from marine aquaculture is forecast to grow threefold
to 21 million metric tons by 2050(2), as more consumers
incorporate fish as a part of a healthy diet.
"This agreement will help us to serve the growing demand for
delicious, nutritious seafood and gives us the space to scale and
grow rapidly, and the opportunity to develop the largest offshore
sustainable seafood capability in the world," said Bien. "We will
bring our different approach to the waters of Brazil, applying our expertise in aquaculture,
conservation and innovation to raise delicious and protein-rich
fish in deep-ocean waters in a highly environmentally-friendly and
sustainable way that's good for people and the planet."
In addition to the new site in Brazil, the Virginia, US-headquartered company has a
research and technology facility in Hawaii, and offshore operations in
Panama and plans an offshore
operation in Indonesia.
In Brazil, the company will
ocean-raise Forever Oceans Amberjack, known locally as 'Olho de
Boi' or Remeiro. This versatile finfish is praised for its taste,
protein, nutrition and is rich in Omega-3.
An onshore hatchery in Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil, will raise fingerlings from eggs for
placement in large deep-ocean enclosures, enabling them to swim and
grow in a protected and more natural environment. Initially, 24
automated enclosures are planned inside the two ocean zones, which
comprise responsible eco-friendly aquaculture zones. The operation
in Brazil is expected to create
approximately 300-500 good-paying jobs over the next eight years
once full capacity is achieved.
In September 2021, Forever Oceans
was named in Seafood Source Magazine's Top 25 Seafood
Innovators list.
About Forever Oceans
Forever Oceans is a leading innovator in sustainable
seafood. Our mission is to provide a new way for the world to
produce delicious, sustainable seafood that's good for people and
the planet. We know fish, we know conservation and apply
unique innovations. These include ruggedized enclosures where
everyday tasks are automated using advanced systems. They ensure
our operations are efficient, integrated with the environment and
supportive of local communities. Forever Oceans was recently named
one of America's most innovative seafood companies by Seafood
Source.
Our Research and Technology Center is in Hawaii, and we have offshore operations in
Panama, Brazil and one planned for Indonesia. Our sustainable seafood will be in
US restaurants in early 2022. Learn more about Forever Oceans at
ForeverOceans.com.
1 FAO UN
https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/aquaculture/en
2 'Oceans' Future to 2050 Marine Aquaculture
Forecast'. 2021 report by DNV.
https://www.dnv.com/Publications/marine-aquaculture-forecast-to-2050-202391
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