NEWS 72 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2024 The Mexican company Pacifico Aquaculture commissioned Billund Aquaculture to design and implement a Recirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS) project for its first large-scale RAS nursery facility with a production capacity of 8 million fish per year in Baja California, Mexico. The new land-based hatchery and nursery will be the first in the world to produce striped bass (Morone saxatilis) at scale. The facility will be built in the Ensenada Bay area of Baja California, Mexico, and produce 80 g of juveniles that will subsequently be transferred to the company’s grow-out sites, located nearby, about 20km from the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Although there have been several experiences worldwide of farming hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops + M. saxatilis) in freshwater RAS, this will be a first for striped bass. Moreover, with operations in over 30 countries worldwide, this is Billund Aquaculture’s first RAS design project in Mexico. CEO of Pacifico Aquaculture, Per-Roar Gjerde, commented, “We are thrilled to have with us Billund as a main supplier to build the first Striped Bass RAS facility in the world. This is the before and after for Pacifico Aquaculture in its growth as a company and in the start of creating a new industry in Baja California, Mexico. This project will allow us to build a state-of-the-art hatchery and nursery facility and unlock 20,000 metric tonnes of annual production capacity to meet the world’s growing demand for healthy, nutritious seafood.” Speaking about the project, Marcelo Varela, CEO of Billund Aquaculture Chile, said, “This is a very important contract for Billund Aquaculture because it represents a major step towards diversifying the number of species farmed using RAS. Also, Mexico is a completely new market for us with huge potential, due to the diversity of new species that can be farmed and its proximity to such an important market as the United States.” Read more>> Billund to build first large-scale RAS nursery for Pacifico Aquaculture The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced the addition of Taylor Lekin as its marketing and program development coordinator, effective December 11. In this newly created position, Lekin will play a pivotal role in marketing AFIA’s educational and networking events, as well as the overall value of AFIA membership. In addition, Lekin will work closely with the executive director of the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), AFIA’s 501(c)(3) public charity, on an ambitious branding campaign to communicate the need for industry leaders and stakeholders to invest in the future of the animal food industry. “Taylor exudes positive energy and a passion for helping the agriculture industry thrive, and I know she will bring creative new ideas to engage AFIA members at events and through our programs,” said Victoria Broehm, AFIA’s senior director of communications. Read more>> AFIA appoints Taylor Lekin as marketing and program development coordinator Taylor Lekin
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==