The breeding of Atlantic bluefin tuna at a Spanish research centre has inspired two companies to pursue industrial farming of land-bred tuna. These companies plan to exclusively use tank-bred Atlantic bluefin stocks of fertilized eggs or young tuna, which is a departure from traditional farming methods that rely on catching young wild fish and fattening them in open-sea cages. Next Tuna intends to build a tuna farm north of Valencia, while Nortuna, a Norwegian company, has partnered with the Mazarrón aquaculture plant in Cape Verde to establish a pilot site.
The expansion of tank-based fish farming is seen as a way to reduce the pressure on sea stocks by minimizing the need to catch wild Atlantic bluefins for fattening or immediate consumption. However, concerns have been raised by NGOs regarding animal welfare, antibiotic use, and water pollution. Critics argue that increased tuna farming would result in more fish being taken from oceans to feed the farmed tuna. Additionally, the welfare of tuna in intensive farming settings is questioned due to their migratory nature and complex behaviors.
Despite these concerns, the successful breeding of Atlantic bluefin tuna in tanks offers new possibilities for the industry. The Mazarrón aquaculture plant has produced thousands of young tuna, with plans to raise them to a desirable size for commercial purposes. The supply of fertilized eggs could be extended outside of their natural reproductive season through controlled environmental conditions. This breakthrough could potentially meet the growing demand for Atlantic bluefin tuna while reducing the reliance on wild populations.
Both Next Tuna and Nortuna are committed to maintaining low stocking densities to ensure the comfort and welfare of the tuna. These companies aim to establish their own breeding programs and sell young fish to grow-out farms for further fattening and sale. They have also expressed plans to explore alternative feed sources, such as plant proteins, algae, insects, or krill, to reduce dependency on fishmeal and fish oil.
While critics highlight the challenges of captive tuna farming, such as the humane killing of large fish, the companies assert their commitment to using approved methods and prioritizing the taste and quality of the fish. They also aim to minimize antibiotic usage, with Next Tuna relying on its recirculating aquaculture model to maintain a healthy environment for the fish.
In conclusion, the successful breeding of Atlantic bluefin tuna in tanks presents new opportunities for the commercial farming of this prized species. However, concerns regarding animal welfare, environmental impact, and fish feed supply must be carefully addressed to ensure sustainable and ethical practices in the industry.
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