Kona Blue, the only domestic producer of yellowtail, which it markets as Kona Kampachi®, said today it has worked closely with the Seafood Watch programme to meet stringent criteria on environmental impacts and feed efficiencies.

“We’re very pleased to be rated as a “Good Alternative” by Seafood Watch, the leader in fisheries and aquaculture sustainability evaluation,” said Michael Wink, CEO of Kona Blue. “Our aspiration, however, is to be the first marine net pen farm to be rated as a ‘Best Choice’. Our work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium has given us a clearer understanding of how we can improve on our sustainability standards to achieve our goal of a ‘Green’ rating.”

Kona Blue says its core mission is to expand the environmentally sound production of "the world’s finest fish". Founded by two marine biologists who previously worked in wild fisheries management, the company has pioneered U.S. open ocean aquaculture, raising the fish in their natural ecosystem, with what the company says is no significant environmental impact.

In consultation with Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Environmental Defense Fund, Kona Blue has recently reformulated its feed to further reduce the reliance on wild-caught fishmeal and fish oil, thereby further improving the operation’s sustainability quotient.

Corey Peet, aquaculture research manager of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch programme, said: “I am very impressed by Kona Blue’s efforts to improve the sustainability of its fish feed. Shifting away from a reliance on wild-caught fishmeal and fish oil is a pioneering move, and a huge step forward for the aquaculture industry. Perhaps most importantly, it also demonstrates Kona Blue’s clear recognition that – to be truly sustainable – aquaculture has to address the potential impact of its food sources on the overall health of global fisheries. It’s a perspective we’d like to see more companies recognise and act upon.”

“We’re delighted to see the Seafood Watch programme recognise our hard work towards fulfillment of our commitment to not just grow more fish, but to grow more fish better,” said Neil Anthony Sims, president and co-founder of Kona Blue. “We understand the power that such a ranking has among environmentally conscious consumers, and appreciate that this will help further our credibility amongst consumers and chefs who want to support sustainable seafood.”

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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