UK-based Anglesey Aquaculture celebrated its first year of business this week, reflecting back on a year of new beginnings as the only producer of sea bass in the UK.
A year ago, the company, then operating under the name Selonda UK, was going through rough times, with “a very uncertain future,” according to a release from the company.
But then, Tethys Ocean, the aquaculture division of Linnaeus Capital partners, bought up Selonda, and reopened it on 4 January 2012 under the new name Anglesey Aquaculture.
Since then, the fish farm, operating at Anglesey, North Wales, has produced sea bass, under the brand Anglesey Sea Bass, for the UK restaurant, catering and retail industries.
“We have received incredible support from the new owners this year,” said John Watters, Anglesey’s managing director. “Right from the start it was clear that Tethys Ocean and Linnaeus understood and believed in the unique nature of this special operation and were fully-prepared to give their long-term support to it.”
The company attributed much of its success to the introduction of its fish and brand name at the International Boston Seafood Show and the European Seafood Exposition.
“At both Boston and Brussels, our bass attracted a lot of interest from buyers,” Watters said. “They all wanted to hear our story: about our highly sophisticated production techniques, our sustainability and environmental commitments, as well as our special location in North Wales.”
Looking ahead, Anglesey plans to develop and expand its production capacity, and eventually move into processing and value-added activities.
“We are delighted with how we progressed as a business this year,” Watters said. “It’s been a fantastic opening chapter for Anglesey Sea Bass.”
