Background Fish are a vital source of food for millions of people around the world The over exploitation of the oceans has reduced the catching of edible species, by means of traditional fishing The global market potential demand of edible marine species exceeds natural production capacity of the seas Many countries which were traditionally self sufficient and exporters of seafood, have been forced to import fish There is a marked upward trend in the price of food for human consumption
Global trends INCREASING DEMAND FOR FISH FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION Population growth Increasingly health conscious society RISING GLOBAL PRODUCTION OF OFFSHORE FARMED FISH Average annual growth rate of 4% from 2006 2011 Offshore aquaculture overcomes the limitations of inshore aquaculture (e.g. space and environment), and meets the increasing demand for fish INFLATING FISH PRICES SINCE EARLY 2000S 2010/2011 9% 2011/2012 12% Record high May 2013 Consumption Aquaculture Wild caught Production (million tonnes)* 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year *Production includes fish used for non food purposes Source: The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2012) 135 130 125 120 115 110 105 Human consumption (million tonnes)
Offshore Mariculture Offshore fish farming makes use of high quality water and beneficial currents No interference from the shore on the farm and no effect on the shore from the farm Large area available for high production Very rough conditions, special technology needed
Offshore Farm in Campeche Large coastal area with history of fisheries Many fisheries have been overexploited and are restricted Ideal conditions for farm, both logistics on shore and currents at sea Protected from the strongest storms
Why Campeche & Mexico? Cooperative state and federal government for permitting and assistance Close access to US market for exports of fresh fish Valuable and marketable fish species indigenous to Gulf of Mexico Good sea conditions for farming Good logistics and operations infrastructure Highly motivated and quality personnel
Operations HATCHERY NEAR SEYBA PLAYA, CAMPECHE Ideal hatchery setting in nature Highly trained and skilled crew FISH FARM 18 MILES OFF THE COAST OF CAMPECHE ON YUCATAN PENINSULA Experienced Israeli and Mexican team Many retrained fishermen PROCESSING PLANT IN CAMPECHE To assure control from harvest to market
Redfish Only redfish grown in fish farms can be sold to restaurants and retailers in US Redfish remains popular in the US Maya fish is the only commercial offshore fish farm providing Redfish into the US Redfish are sold under the trademark names platinum red and devils tail redfish Each redfish is individually tagged to ensure traceability for distributors, buyers and consumers *Source: Blue Ocean Institute
Business Model All aspects including the technical, biological and economic parts of the project were carried out by a specialized team of biologists, engineers and managers. Maya fish controls and supervises all stages of the fish growing process; from the hatchery to the farm, processing plant and marketing. Growing the purest and healthiest fish in the world. A traceability program for customer verification of the quality and history of the fish. Environmentally and ecologically responsible farming. Sustainable farming using revolutionary feed formulas. The farm is one of the only, if not the only offshore farm in the world with insurance coverage.
Hatchery & Nursery Hatchery located near Seybaplaya Algae production Rotifer production New photoperiod room for year round spawning Larvae production in the hatchery Fry production in the nursery
Micro Algae Algae grown for rotifer production Grown from small algae room with flasks To larger room with small bags to 300 liter bags
Rotifers Up to 10 billion at any given time Fed algae grown at the facility End product is highly nutritious for fish larvae
Photoperiod Regulation Two broodstock rooms with photoperiod regulation One broodstock group with natural cycle Year round spawning and egg production
Larvae and Fry Production Hatchery capable of producing 500 thousand fry per month Three stage nursery for fry from 1/10 gram to 15 grams
Offshore Fish Farming System capable of producing 1200 tons of fish per year Fish grown from 15 grams to 1.5 kilograms at farm Patented cage technology Second system being added for expansion Feed ship with crew of six remains at farm 24 hours a day Two small boats transport work crew for daily requirements
Holding System The fish holding system was developed as a modular and flexible system. This technology enables the system to withstand extreme sea and weather conditions. The patented frame design maintains the shape of the nets in the harshest conditions and strongest currents allowing the fish to grow in these conditions. Maya Fish has patents on the system in Mexico. The system has been proven in operations in Campeche. Very economical to build and maintain
Fish Growing High quality fish High protein and omega3 in fish Very low in toxins such as mercury Environmentally friendly
Expansion Plans at Current Site Second holding system being built capable of growing additional 1,500 tons a year New feeding system being built Larger production has advantages of economy of scale
Environmental and Ecological Advantages Maya Fish has been conducting research on feed that is better for the purity of the fish and demanded by ecologically minded consumers. In addition, years of environmental testing enables the farm to operate with no impact on the environment. As for the important matter of sustainability, the feed formulas developed and used by the company enable the farm to operate under standards recognized as the highest level in the industry.
Gracilaria Production Gracilaria being grown at farm After harvest the seaweed is dried and ground into meal for adding to feed formula
Harvesting Fish are transferred from the grow out nets to the harvest cage (4km off shore) that is still in water. Access to harvest cage is via a breakwater built by Mexican government Upon harvesting, the fish are quick chilled as soon as they are taken from the water, and reach a temperature of zero within minutes. The cold chain is then maintained until the fish reach the market
Processing Fish are transferred from harvesting to processing plant in slurry ice at 1 degree c in about 30 min Fish are either gutted or filleted in the plant by well trained workers. Plant is HACCP certified Management and supervisors trained in proper procedures Fresh fish shipped by air or ship to US All fish tagged for traceability
Traceability Maya Fish has made traceability of the fish an important factor of marketing. Each fish is tagged with a number and a QR code which can be checked on the Maya Fish website. Through the trademarks on the fish consumers know what they are purchasing. Each cage of fish is tested by a certified laboratory for nutritional wholesomeness with extremely important parameters such as protein, calories, cholesterol, omega 3 and fat. The fish are also checked for toxins and drugs such as mercury, PCB, dioxin and heavy metals. The consumer can check the fish by either scanning or entering a number; this will show the information on what was purchased and being eaten. They can also know the date the fish was harvested and the temperature during transport.
Traceability Page on Website
Customers Maya Fish sales in the USA are to the highest quality customers such as Whole Foods, Inland Seafood and Darden restaurants.
Benefits to Mexico PERSONNEL Many Mexican employees have high end positions in the company. Both Israeli and Mexican employees are the key people of the company. A program is run to teach fishermen to grow fish. This provides them with both knowledgeas well as a good income. There are currently 120 Mexican employees. HIQH QUALITY EXPORT Model company for exporting high quality fresh fish to the US Source of tax revenue for the Mexican economy LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY Makes Mexico a country with leading edge offshore technology