Oceanpick to introduce marine fish farming
Oceanpick is set to embark on Sri Lanka's first ever oceanic farm for
finfish this August. The project aims to focus on "responsible farming"
of high quality marine fish, providing a platform to cater to a growing
appetite for quality seafood without overly pressurizing wild stocks.
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Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Investment Promotion
presents the BOI Certification of Registration to Irfan
Thassim, Founder and Director of Oceanpick Ltd and also in
the picture is Omar Kayaam Director of Oceanpick Ltd. |
As per FAO statistics, nearly 50% of fish production world wide comes
from farmed sources, where as Sri Lanka lags far behind in reaching a
sustainable equilibrium and relies 90% or more in wild capture, thus
risking depletion of wild stocks beyond sustainable levels in the longer
run. Oceanpick hopes its endeavors will trigger a change that will lead
Sri Lanka in the direction of reaching a more equitable balance.
The agreement was signed by IrfanThassim, Founder and Director of
Oceanpick and Dr. Lakshman Jayaweera, Chairman of the Board of
Investment of Sri Lanka.
The project will set up its farms in the open sea off the Trincomalee
coast - the first such cage system to be set up in the country with an
ambitious plan to reach nearly 1,000 tons over the next several years.
Partnered by a Scottish farming company who pioneered oceanic farming in
the North Atlantic some 40 years ago - producing salmon, rainbow trout
and halibut, Oceanpick plans to operate Trinco farms per world class
standards of their partners.
Whist Sri Lanka's previous attempts at aquaculture have been mostly
been concentrated in brackish water lagoons, fresh water bodies or in
land based ponds, Oceanpick recognized the superiority of sea grown
produce. Thiscoupled with the greater depth and tidal current profiles
offered by the oceans, Oceanpick has handpicked pristine locations in
the Trincomalee open seas for its activities.
The first choice specie that Oceanpick will produce will be
Barramundi or Asian Sea Bass, locally referred to as Modha. Barramundi
has been a preferred fish for its mild buttery taste and Omega 3
content. To ensure peak freshness of all its produce, the project
intends to vertically control the entire cold chain process.
The total Investment of this project would be around US$ 2.5 million.
This project will no doubt raise the profile of Sri Lanka's fishery
sector, providing over 100 job opportunities and a new avenue for
graduate training, whilst paving the way for import substitution and
developing of a value added product. It could also trigger growth of
several other related businesses - both upstream and downstream
including feed manufacture. |
