Interview with Industry Leader Forever Oceans on their Sustainable Aquaculture Operations
Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) interviewed Bill Bien, CEO of Forever Oceans, a U.S.-based company that executes commercial deep-water, offshore finfish aquaculture.
SATS spoke to Forever Oceans to learn more about their operations and the technology that makes offshore finfish aquaculture sustainable, the benefits that a robust domestic industry would provide American communities, and why federal legislation is needed to support U.S. offshore aquaculture.
Tell us about Forever Oceans.
Forever Oceans executes commercial deep-water, offshore finfish aquaculture and is the first company to apply this suite of cutting-edge technologies to grow healthy, delicious, sustainable fish. Our goal is simple: produce fish that nourishes the growing global population and restores the local ocean environment.
We produce Kanpachi, a light, flaky, nutrient-rich, sushi-grade fish off the West coast of Panama and sell our product in the United States to restaurants and soon to grocery stores. In addition to our Panama site, Forever Oceans is also expanding to Indonesia, Brazil and Europe.
Our team of passionate scientists, engineers, fishermen, chefs, nutritionists, and humanitarians is on a mission to revolutionize aquaculture. We’ve developed the most advanced aquaculture platform on the planet, utilizing patented software-driven precision feeding systems, automated animal husbandry software platforms, advanced marine engineering systems, and robotics to manage fish enclosures in the open ocean. Working with nature, our rugged systems allow our fish to thrive naturally, resulting in healthier, tastier, and more nutritious fish than traditional methods.
We take sustainability seriously, sourcing feed responsibly and growing our fish in a sustainable way that protects ocean benthic and environmental health. Our Omega-3 rich fish are not only good for you but also delicious, as praised by our culinary board of over 50 influential chefs. Recognized by TIME Magazine, Fast Company, and Seafood Source Magazine, we're proud of our accomplishments, but also our commitment to a positive impact on the planet and providing sustainable fish.
How does Forever Oceans’ technology make the raising of fish offshore sustainable?
Our technology allows us to raise fish offshore in a way that minimizes the impact on the environment while producing high-quality, nutritious seafood.
We start by breeding our own native species broodstock, ensuring the best possible stock for our enclosures. Our patented mooring systems enable our cages to drift within geofenced areas, providing a continuous flow of pristine ocean currents that provide oxygen-rich water and limit parasitic pathogen risks.
By operating in water more than 100 meters deep using patented single-point moorings, satellite-controlled robotics, and AI-driven sensors and cameras, the company is growing fish in the clean, open ocean. This innovative tech allows us to move warm water fish production further offshore and into deeper water than has ever been done before at a commercial scale. Our fish grow healthier and tastier than fish grown using any other method of aquaculture. We also ensure our feed is sustainably sourced and our fish are completely free of preventative antibiotics.
Just last year, The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization, completed an environmental assessment of Forever Oceans to establish a baseline for the company's environmental performance and to determine the actions required to meet our ambitious sustainability goals. The assessment found that farming our fish is a comparatively low emissions form of animal protein. The carbon footprint for farmed fish is less than 1/14 of beef. Our near-term goal is to achieve carbon neutrality within five years. The assessment also confirmed that Forever Oceans' raising fish has a negligible impact on the ocean floor—a key area of environmental concern for finfish aquaculture.
What are the economic benefits of offshore aquaculture to coastal communities?
Offshore aquaculture brings significant economic benefits to coastal communities, and we're proud to contribute to this positive impact. Our operations utilize less than 2% of our ocean concessions, leaving over 200,000 hectares globally for biodiversity protection. This commitment to conservation ensures that coastal communities can continue to thrive from the richness of our oceans.
In partnership with the Panamanian Fishermen's Association, we're implementing a Fisheries Improvement Plan (FIP) to showcase our sustainability efforts. Our aquaculture systems act as natural fish aggregating devices, attracting fish and enhancing local catches.
Forever Oceans is dedicated to fostering sustainability, biodiversity protection, and supporting employment opportunities in coastal communities to create a positive and lasting impact on the livelihoods of those living along our coasts.
As we seek to feed the growing population sustainably, what role can aquaculture play in global food security?
Aquaculture plays a vital role in global food security as we strive to sustainably feed the growing population. Given the limitations of arable land and potable water, aquaculture emerges as a viable solution to meet the escalating food demand sustainably. By embracing aquaculture as a responsible and forward-thinking solution, we pave the way for a more secure and sustainable food future for all.
Why is it critical for the U.S. to create a federal regulatory pathway for offshore aquaculture?
Creating a federal regulatory pathway for offshore aquaculture in the U.S. is pivotal for industry growth here and promotes the use of sustainable aquaculture that restores ocean health. Our seafood trade imbalance exceeds $17 billion annually. If we aim to secure attractive jobs in the seafood sector and lessen reliance on foreign sources for a crucial part of our food supply, developing a thriving aquaculture industry is paramount.
To cultivate a robust and sustainable industry, it's imperative that the federal government pass legislation that provides regulatory certainty with strong environmental safeguards. This legislation should deter harmful practices and incentivize those who contribute positively. Without such a framework, we risk missing out on robust economic growth or endangering the very environment we depend on.