Open Blue nets Pristine Oceans

Open Blue Sea Farms on Monday announced it has agreed to acquire Pristine Oceans, forming the world’s largest open-ocean aquaculture operation, by year’s end.

Both companies raise cobia in Panamanian waters; there are now 43,000 fish in submerged net pens, and 10,000 fish are due to be harvested between December and April.

Most Pristine Oceans employees were retained, including President Jose Raul Arias and General Manager Richard Pretto Jr.

“Our mission is healthy, great tasting seafood and protecting oceans,” said Open Blue CEO Brian O’Hanlon. “Joining our vision and expertise with Pristine’s inventory of fish and personnel is a major step.”

“The combination of Pristine’s assets and team with Open Blue’s proven business creates a modern fish farming leader in the Western Hemisphere,” added Arias.