Ventisqueros to claim title of first 'net fish producer' in farmed salmon sector

Puerto Montt, Chile-based Ventisqueros and its partners announced at Seafood Expo Global 2017 that the salmon farmer will soon produce premium Pacific coho salmon using BioMar Group’s AlgaPrime DHA. The product will appear under the brand name Silverside Premium Pacific Salmon.

“We are very excited see this type of development in the Chilean industry aiming to cover the new trends in sustainable products in the market, all the more when we are acting as a catalyst of it,” Eduardo Hagedorn, managing director of BioMar Chile, said.

Silverside is both Best Aquaculture Practices 4 Star-certified and Aquaculture Stewardship Council-certified.

AlgaPrime DHA is produced by TerraVia and Bunge at their SB Renewable Oils joint venture facility in Brazil. The use of BioMar´s AlgaPrime DHA means that Silverside has a low forage fish dependency ratio (FFDR) of 0.5 kg., compared to the industry average FFDR of around 1.3 kg, according to a statement from BioMar, TerraVia and Ventisqueros.

“By achieving this figure, we have become the first ‘net fish producers’ in the salmon farming industry,” Ventisqueros CEO José Luis Vial said. “AlgaPrime DHA is an important ingredient in this innovative feed formulated by BioMar creating an entirely new product offering and value proposition that we’re excited to provide to our customers.” 

With AlgaPrime DHA, the algae is grown in closed fermentation tanks in a matter of days, and offers consistent supply and quality to customers. Based on sugarcane feedstock, AlgaPrime DHA has a lower carbon and water footprint and higher yield per hectare than DHA produced from most other non-marine sources, according to the announcement. 

“Microalgae is the original source of omega-3 fatty acids in the food chain and can now be produced in an effective and highly sustainable way,” said Manuel Cabezas, feed and feeding director of Ventisqueros. “AlgaPrime DHA goes straight to the original source, offering a fully traceable and consistent source omega-3s. Silverside Premium Pacific Salmon is both BAP 4 Star and ASC certified, so it’s critical that all feed ingredients included BioMar are made sustainably and responsibly.”

“We are very excited see this type of development in the Chilean industry aiming to cover the new trends in sustainable products in the market, all the more when we are acting as a catalyst of it,” said Eduardo Hagedorn, managing director of BioMar Chile.