Midwest-Grown “Ocean Salmon” Debut
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A farm in Indiana will soon be producing genetically modified (GMO) salmon with DNA from Chinook ocean salmon. AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf says the 1,200-metric ton production facility is already selling conventional farm-raised salmon, but that the new GMO is expected to be a game changer.
“I believe aquaculture is the next wave of agriculture in the U.S.,” says Wulf. “We are in the planning stage for a larger 10,000-metric ton facility, likely in the heartland of America.”
Expanding production in the Midwest makes sense from both production and sales. The majority of salmon rations are soybean based. In addition, Midwest locations are close to major markets.
“Because of the way we farm, we can place our farms near consumers,” says Wulf. “As a result, our salmon is fresher than that shipped in from Norway or Chile.”
The way they farm is unique. Conventional coastal operations flush excess food, medication and waste into the ocean. By contrast, the totally enclosed AquaBounty system uses mechanical and bio filtration systems to reuse 95 percent of its water. Any waste recovered can be land applied, and there is virtually no potential for disease-causing parasites requiring medication, as in a sea-based farm.
The land-based system also counters concerns that GMO salmon could be accidentally released into the ocean to compete with native salmon. The vertically integrated AquaBounty retains total control of AquAdvantage salmon from egg production to marketing.
Wulf notes that the existing facility in Indiana has been profitable with conventional salmon. She says it will be even more profitable with the FDA-approved AquAdvantage salmon. It is the first GMO animal to be approved.
“AquAdvantage salmon take 10 months less to reach harvest size, which means we are able to produce more healthy protein for the same investment and footprint,” says Wulf. “They grow faster in the early stages and eat and process feed incredibly efficiently, almost 25 percent better than conventional salmon.”
Massachusetts-based AquaBounty maintains 2 similar, land-based facilities on Prince Edward Island in Canada. A 250-metric ton production unit and hatchery are located at Rollo Bay. Its first harvest of GMO salmon is expected in early 2021.
A smaller facility at Fortune Bay is the original AquaBounty facility and now is used primarily for research and development.
While the concept of GMO crops and livestock (including fish) continues to be controversial, Wulf is confident AquAdvantage salmon will be accepted. She points to the 30 years of research behind the FDA approval.
“We want to make our salmon as affordable as possible,” she says. “Extensive research says 80 percent of consumers care about price, access and quality. They indicate that they will try it, and if they like it, they will buy it again.
“We know how to operate a land-based, recirculated production system,” says Wulf. “That and our breeding and bio capability are advantages we can take to other species.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, AquaBounty, 2 Mill and Main Place, Suite 395, Maynard, Mass. 01754 (ph 978 648-6000; info@aquabounty.com; www.aquabounty.com).
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Midwest-Grown “Ocean Salmon” Debut LIVESTOCK Buildings A farm in Indiana will soon be producing genetically modified GMO salmon with DNA from Chinook ocean salmon AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf says the 1 200-metric ton production facility is already selling conventional farm-raised salmon but that the new GMO is expected to be a game changer “I believe aquaculture is the next wave of agriculture in the U S ” says Wulf “We are in the planning stage for a larger 10 000-metric ton facility likely in the heartland of America ” Expanding production in the Midwest makes sense from both production and sales The majority of salmon rations are soybean based In addition Midwest locations are close to major markets “Because of the way we farm we can place our farms near consumers ” says Wulf “As a result our salmon is fresher than that shipped in from Norway or Chile ” The way they farm is unique Conventional coastal operations flush excess food medication and waste into the ocean By contrast the totally enclosed AquaBounty system uses mechanical and bio filtration systems to reuse 95 percent of its water Any waste recovered can be land applied and there is virtually no potential for disease-causing parasites requiring medication as in a sea-based farm The land-based system also counters concerns that GMO salmon could be accidentally released into the ocean to compete with native salmon The vertically integrated AquaBounty retains total control of AquAdvantage salmon from egg production to marketing Wulf notes that the existing facility in Indiana has been profitable with conventional salmon She says it will be even more profitable with the FDA-approved AquAdvantage salmon It is the first GMO animal to be approved “AquAdvantage salmon take 10 months less to reach harvest size which means we are able to produce more healthy protein for the same investment and footprint ” says Wulf “They grow faster in the early stages and eat and process feed incredibly efficiently almost 25 percent better than conventional salmon ” Massachusetts-based AquaBounty maintains 2 similar land-based facilities on Prince Edward Island in Canada A 250-metric ton production unit and hatchery are located at Rollo Bay Its first harvest of GMO salmon is expected in early 2021 A smaller facility at Fortune Bay is the original AquaBounty facility and now is used primarily for research and development While the concept of GMO crops and livestock including fish continues to be controversial Wulf is confident AquAdvantage salmon will be accepted She points to the 30 years of research behind the FDA approval “We want to make our salmon as affordable as possible ” she says “Extensive research says 80 percent of consumers care about price access and quality They indicate that they will try it and if they like it they will buy it again “We know how to operate a land-based recirculated production system ” says Wulf “That and our breeding and bio capability are advantages we can take to other species ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup AquaBounty 2 Mill and Main Place Suite 395 Maynard Mass 01754 ph 978 648-6000; info@aquabounty com; www aquabounty com
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