Turbot is recognized by the World Aquaculture Society as a compact, resource-maximizing species suitable for shallow farming systems. Led by Professor Trond Bjørndal from the Center for the Economics and Management of Aquatic Resources (CEMAR) at Portsmouth Business School in the United Kingdom, innovative turbot farming projects are under way.
As annual wild turbot (Psetta maxima, Scopthalmus maximus) catches decline below 5,000 metric tons (MT) at both global and EU levels, EU vessels operating in the Black Sea saw turbot catches reduced to 74 MT live weight from 1 January 2013, with no catches permitted between 15 April and 15 June, reflecting short-term concerns under which turbot stocks can adapt to long-term sustainable levels.
Long-term production expansion is centered on farming. Europe’s leading turbot farmers are in Spain and Portugal with France, the Netherlands, UK, Iceland and Denmark producing smaller quantities. While Spain’s wild turbot landings account for less than 60 MT per year, the Spanish Association of Marine Aquaculture Producers notes that Spain produces 71.8 percent of Europe’s turbot with the Galicia region producing 99 percent of national supply.
Establishing steady increases in farmed turbot among Europe’s top two producers, industry analyst Kontali estimates Spain’s production will reach 9,000 MT in 2013 at a wholesale price of EUR 5.36 (USD 7) per kilogram, up from EUR 4.60 (USD 6) per kg in 2012. Portugal will produce 4,000 MT this year at EUR 8.04 (USD 10.50) per kg, up from EUR 7.09 (USD 9.25) per kg last year. However, predictions are for 11.7 percent growth in global turbot production for 2012-2013, taking into account all countries except China.
According to Spain’s fisheries ministry, households more than doubled turbot consumption in December 2012, confirming the species’ favored place on festive dining tables.
Stolt Sea Farm is the world’s leading turbot supplier at 4,000 MT annually and markets its product under the Prodemar™ brand. Based in Galicia, the company has six farms in Spain, one each in France, Norway and Portugal.
This year, Sales Manager Enrique Corrales expected a recovery in sales and prices as economic conditions show some improvements. “We’ll spread out our export sales as some countries will recover faster than others, in this case Spain.”
The Association of Galician Turbot Producers (AGADE) is a Spanish cluster at the forefront of innovation and investment, attributing the region’s prominence in the species’ development to “the quality and temperature of our waters, availability in any town throughout the year, from water to sale within 24 hours.”
“As the global economic crisis in Europe continues, we anticipate that demand will be strongly influenced by price: turbot rearing is increasingly accepted in the market, but will sell if prices are low,” added AGADE Manager, Fernando Otero Lourido.
Cluster member Piscicola del Morrazo cites the region’s unique properties for their COMAR brand turbot factory in the north Ría de Vigo (River Vigo), in front of the Islas Cíes (Cíes Islands) washed by cold, oxygenated Atlantic waters. Piscicola’s Technical Doctor-Biologist José María Álvarez said the company will sell at least 350,000 kg in 0.5-kg to 3-kg pack sizes this year.
Supported by the Technical University of Lisbon, Portuguese companies are investing in intensive turbot production using advanced technologies for pumping, surveying, controlling water quality and hydraulic circuits, and in sanitary and nutritional aspects. Investigating future opportunities for the industry’s development, the research team tested consumer purchases, consumption patterns, aquaculture knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics during AQUA 2012, concluding that “the purchase decision is cost-dependent. Consumers lack information about aquaculture products and are worried about the quality of the fish they eat.”
Portland, Maine-based Browne Trading Co. highlights turbot as “an elite seafood item among chefs around the globe.” According to Nick Branchina, director of marketing: “We introduced farmed turbot from Spain to our domestic customers in 2012 with great feedback. We anticipate continuing offering this superior quality fish in 2013.”
