NewSeas, a U.S.-based aquaculture development company seeking to build a 10,000-metric-ton barramundi farm in Pemuteran, Bali, Indonesia, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Skretting to provide it with aquafeed.
Under the MoU, NewSeas and Skretting Indonesia will “work together to advance fish health management and precision-farming methods for barramundi nursery and sea-cage grow-out to develop a profitable, sustainable barramundi industry in Indonesia,” according to a press release from Nutreco, Skretting’s parent company.
"We are delighted to be selected as part of NewSeas' effort to expand barramundi production," Nutreco Indonesia President Wully Wahyuni said. “This is a recognition of our expertise, and extensive knowledge of ingredients and the nutritional needs of aquaculture. With this partnership we hope we can fulfill our company-wide purpose of ‘Feeding the Future.’”
Skretting Indonesia Sales Director Fauzan Bahri said Indonesia’s potential for aquaculture is large, and that NewSeas is breaking barriers in the country that will advance the entire sector.
“Indonesia has a tremendous potential in cultivation, as it’s the backbone for food security in Indonesia, and it is our ambition that this partnership will support sustainable ocean barramundi farming,” Bahri said.
The NewSeas project is titled “Bali Blue,” and its co-founders are Rob Garrison and Rob Pettit. Garrison recently told The Fish Site the company is building out the project in two phases, with the first requiring USD 18 million (EUR 15.5 million) that will result in a 3,000-MT farm, and the final, 10,000-MT project costing around USD 40 million (EUR 34.5 million).
According to his LinkedIn profile, Garrison has worked in the seafood industry for 20 years, most recently as president and director of Paramount Fishery Indonesia, and prior to that, as director of aquaculture and sustainability for Phillips Seafood. Garrison also serves as president of the consulting firm Bali Mariculture and as a technical advisor and industry liaison for the Walton Family Foundation Sustainable Aquaculture Program in Indonesia.
"We can't imagine a better partner to help us realize our vision of making barramundi the ‘salmon of the tropics,’” Garrison said in a press release. “NewSeas plans to expand sustainable barramundi production throughout the tropics and Skretting's proven ability to provide efficient, sustainable feed is an important contribution to realize this vision."
Photo courtesy of Nutreco
