May 14, 2008

US fish farm in Hawaii wins recognition in sustainable yellowtail farming

Yellowtail from Kona Blue Water Farms, based in Hawaii, has become the first ocean net pen fish product to be rated as a "Good Alternative" by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch programme.

Kona Blue is the only US producer of yellowtail and has worked closely with the Seafood Watch programme to meet criteria on environmental impacts and feed efficiencies.

"We're very pleased to be rated as a "Good Alternative" by Seafood Watch," said Michael Wink, CEO of Kona Blue.

Having now won recognition for sustainability, the company is now aiming higher- it now aspires to be the first marine net pen farm to be rated as a 'Best Choice.'

Wink said the company's work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium enabled the company to have a clearer understanding of how to improve sustainability standards to achieve a 'Green' rating."

Kona Blue was founded by two marine biologists who previously worked in wild fisheries management. The biologists now have pioneered methods to be used in US open ocean aquaculture to raise Kona Kampachi.

Kona Blue has also recently reformulated its feed to further reduce the reliance on wild-caught fishmeal and fish oil, further improving the operation's sustainability.

In the past year, Kona Kampachi has been receiving rave reviews from prominent chefs and lauded in online food circles.