PROTECTED SANCTUARY CONCESSION



In partnership with the Mexican government, Pacifico Aquaculture maintains sole rights to raise striped bass in the pristine marine sanctuary of Isla Todos Santos, Ensenada, Baja California which is part of the Pacific Islands Biosphere Reserve.



Operating under Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, The Pacific Islands Biosphere Reserve covers more than 2.7 million acres and is made up of marine sanctuaries that serve as a habitat for marine mammals and seabirds, as well as commercially important fish and shellfish. Having designated reserves such as these help promote sustainable growth while also protecting ecosystems.



We take great pride in farming sustainably off the pristine coast of the islands where the Baja spirit is thriving both in the water and on land.









Environmental Monitoring

A primary concern for marine aquaculture operations is the potential impact to the local benthic (ocean floor) environment. Thus great care is taken to ensure we minimize our footprint – this includes regular monitoring and sampling of the benthic environment. The farm has two deep-water ocean concessions which allows for cage rotation and a regular fallowing program which meet and exceed government regulations for benthic impact. Having worked with local council, government, key stakeholders and experts to develop Best Practice Guidelines for Almacojack farming in the Sea of Cortez, these standards are monitored regularly to ensure the operation continues meet and exceed guidelines.


“We view sustainability through three primary lenses: Environmental, Economical, and Social. Each of these aspects are critical and one cannot exist without the other two – they are all intricately connected.”



The Company’s fish farming activities meet all required government regulations and world’s best practice standards, which have elevated Baja Kanpachi to a premium producer of international repute. The use of premium feeds, minimal stocking densities and site fallowing practices help deliver a sustainable supply of top quality fish.

Closed-Lifecycle Baja Kanpachi farming in the Sea of Cortez is one of the most sustainable ways of producing animal protein.













DIET



The feed our Baja Kanpachi consume during the 1.5 years they grow them from egg, is cornerstone of their unique health benefits (and the single most expensive aspect of the farming process!). Our fish eat a dry pellet feed made at EWOS from algae and fish meal produced from the tailings at a Marine Stewardship Certified sardine canary. EWOS feed is made under the stringent controls of several international standards, including: ​Best Aquaculture Practices (B.A.P.); Food Safety Management System HACCP (ISO22000:2005); Environmental Management System (ISO14001:2004).​ The heads, tails and carcasses not used in the process of canning third-party audited, sustainably sourced sardine loins, are ground up with alges to produce a 100% marine protein that does not put direct pressure on the wild-stock populations of bait fish.


Reducing the marine dependence, using more fish trimmings, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; Baja Kanpachi feed is produced by​ responsibly selecting raw materials from certified sustainable sources as well as formulating and producing nutritionally balanced feeds that enhance efficient use of fish meal and fish oil. An ancillary benefit, the feed is nearly mercury-free (0.004 ppm). This is because heavy metals accumulate in the loins of sardines. By mitigating the concentration of heavy metals and sheltering the fish from exposure to environmental pollutants, we also know what our fish are NOT eating.


High quality feeds from responsible providers assure that the FIFO (Fish in Fish Out) ratio is in balance with availability and care for the environment.


The feed contains ingredients based on the nutritional requirements at every life stage of the Kanpachi. The main change in formulation through the life of Baja Kanpachi is the ratio of oil to protein. As a Kanpachi grow they requires less protein and more oil. Their diet contains no antibiotics or hormones, low exposure to mercury sources and a continuous cold chain to produce the best omega 3’s the ocean has to offer.








MARINE PROTEIN DIET

Pacifico Aquaculture Striped Bass diet is formulated to optimize fish welfare and fish-in-fish-out ratio.
Their feed contains no terrestrial land protein and utilizes trimmings from existing fisheries to minimize the use of wild fishmeal. They work to closely to match the diet the fish would have in the wild. The primary feed contains no hormones, no antibiotics and is BAP-certified.










RICH, FIRM AND FLAVORFUL

Pacifico Striped Bass have a clean mouth feel and a semi-firm texture. Striped Bass is famous for its versatility. The fish is ideal to cook with because the fat content allows for many preparation methods, including whole, raw, grilling, poaching and braising. Cooked it has a flaky texture with a skin that crisps beautifully.