Welcome to Caicos Cobia
SUMMARY
Today aquaculture is a US$ 70 billion industry and expected to grow to over US$ 100 billion in the next few years. Cobia is positioned to capture a large share of this market.
This is an opportunity to develop a sustainable seafood production business in the Turks and Caicos. South Caicos - located South of the Bahamas, North of Dominican Republic and East of Cuba - is the fishing center for the islands.
South Caicos has regular Air / Sea services and 3 HACCAP approved processing plants. The proposed farm site - along the Eastern side of Long Cay - has the proper conditions to accomodate the activity and is easily accessed from shore.
Cobia (rachycentron canadum) is the initial species that will be produced. This pelagic fish occurs in all tropical and temperate seas (except the eastern pacific) and is in high demand where it is available. It has 3 times the growth rate of salmon (6kg in one year) and very good feed conversion ratio (1.5 - 1).
Hatchery / Nursury: Until volume and scale justifies the establishment of a fish hatchery to produce fingerlings, they will be purchased from an existing hatchery in Florida, South Carolina, Dominican Republic, Belize, Panama, and/or Eleuthra. 1-2 grm fish will be imported and placed in a Nursury facility (salt water tanks) on shore in South Caicos for 4-5 weeks before being deployed into ocean enclosures.
Cages: Depending on site characteristics, both submursible cages and surface pens are used for Cobia. Stocking density for Cobia range from 15-20 kg/m3.
The Seastation shown is 3000 cu meters. It is normally stocked with 10-12,000 Cobia fingerlings. After 10-12 months 40,000 kgs of fresh cobia can be harvested.
Feeding: Several companies specialize in aquaculture feeds. This is normally the major expense. In fin-fish aquaculture, the average 'feed conversion ration ' (FCR) from fish meal to cultured fish is about 2.1 / 0.7. In the wild, depending on the species, FCR's are 10-20 lbs of marine life consumed fo reach 1 lb of fish growth. Cobia has one of the best FRC's - 1.5 kgs of feed yields 1 kg of fish growth.
As the farm expands, it becomes logical to utilize an automated feeding system that monitors the fish and controls the amount of feeds disbursed.
THE COMPANY
A company is being established and capitalized to undertake this project. The company has already alliances and agreements with local individuals and businesses, equipment manufacturers, feed companies, suppliers of logistical and other professional services including marketing.
Principal management:
William C. Quinby.
Director of Mayflower International Ltd. and MexicoSea Ltd.. Mr. Quinby has over 25 years experience with harvesting, processing, trading and transportation of seafood products. He will be responsible for day-to-day operations - subcontracting services and personnel as needed.
George Nardi
With a technical background in zoology and fisheries science, Mr. Nardi is an acknowledged expert in the field of aquaculture. He has experience with the development of the commercial culture of queen conch in the TCI and established fin fish hatcheries for Great Bay Aquaculture in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Caribbean Mariculture in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He will be responsible for fingerling production and all Nursury and Hatchery requirements.
Clive Stanbrook
An EU attorney, Mr. Stanbrook is actively involved in several projects in the Turks and Caicos including the Graceway Supermarkets and a wholesale food importing business. He will be responsible for overseeing local agreements, requirements with sub-contractors and domestic marketing.
Collaborators
Daniel Benetti PhD., U. of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Paul Sandifer PhD., Hollings Marine Lab., Charleston, SC
Stephen Page. Director, Ocean Farm Technologies; Searsmont, ME
Tom Zeigler, Zeigler Feeds, Gardners, PA
David Burris, Burris Aquaculture, Franklin, LA
Chris Heinig, MER Assessment Corp.
Michael Chambers Phd., U. of New Hampshire aquaculture program
Ed Scura phd, Shrimp Improvement Systems, Islamorada, FL
Walter Peyerya Phd., Profish International; Seatle, WA
THE PLAN
Mayflower International has received a Scientific Research Permit from the TCI cabinet to undertake a one year feasibility study for an aquacultured Cobia fish farm. Additional site analysis work is being done and a formal agreement with TCI government is in process.
Nursery facilities to receive cobia fingerlings are expected to be ready during 1st quarter 2009. Cage selection and operational preparations are underway.
Please stay tuned.
for additional information on cobia farming visit:
www.snapperfarm.com
www.aquaculturecenter.com
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