Santiago de Compostela, Spain-based Stolt Sea Farm announced it has completed the first harvest of sole at its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility in Tocha, Portugal, the second such farm the company has built. The first RAS farm it built is located in Cervo, Spain.
According to the company, the harvest was four months ahead of schedule, and is the result of two decades of investment and research into sustainably farming sole.
“This is an exciting time for all at Stolt Sea Farm, especially the teams at Cervo and Tocha, who have been central to the success of these projects,” Stolt Sea Farm President Jordi Trias said in a press release. “Not only did we build both farms on time and on budget, but we also completed our first harvest well ahead of schedule, as a result of better growth than we had originally modeled.”
The company said the feed-conversion ratio in the Tocha farm is the “lowest ever achieved” for the species. The facility also has “limited” water use, and has been certified to green standards for its energy usage, Stolt Sea Farm said.
“Our unique design also supports the well-being of our fish, ensuring that the highest animal welfare standards are maintained,” Stolt Sea Farm said. “With these RAS modules, we will be able to farm close to the consumer and deliver a consistent supply and quality for our customers to enjoy.”
Stolt Sea Farm reported a jump in revenue in July on the recovery of turbot and sole prices, and said that both the Tocha, Portugal farm and the farm in Cervo, Spain are “exceeding expectations.”
Photo courtesy of Stolt Sea Farm
