As with almost all farmed animals, Kampachi® are subject to small external pests – in this case, the skin fluke that attaches itself to the fish’s skin. These flukes do not pose any risk to human health. They also do not detract from the quality of the harvested product. However, they may cause irritation to the fish. Proliferation of skin flukes in the net pen may also lead to increases in parasite prevalence in wild fish. It should be noted that in prior studies, the skin flukes on farmed Kampachi® in offshore net pens did not have any impact on wild fish populations.
This species of skin fluke is common on our fish in the spring and fall seasons, when the water temperature is between 23°C and 28°C, and is less prevalent in summer and winter, when temperatures are outside of these ranges. We monitor the abundance of skin flukes on our farm site, with an eye to both optimizing fish health and welfare in the pens, and reducing potential risks for transmission to wild fish.
We share the data on skin fluke prevalence publicly, because we are required to do so under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification standards (see Certifications page), and because we believe that a transparent approach is important both for our customers and our community.
The current prevalence of skin flukes (Neobenedenia sp) on the farm site per fish size is:
| SKIN FLUKE SIZE | LENGHT | AGE | DEVELOPMENT | SKIN FLUKES PER FISH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large | over 2.5 mm | 10 to 13 days old | reproductively active | 21 per fish |
| Medium | 1.7 mm – 2.5 mm | 8 to 10 days old | reproductive organs developed/starting reproduction | 34 per fish |
| Small | 0.8mm – 1.6mm | less than ~ 8 days old | juveniles | 114 per fish |
Date: 27/05/2022
Kampachi® (Seriola rivoliana) is distributed throughout the warm waters of the world, and is native to the Sea of Cortez. On our offshore farm site, we ensure that we have robust net pen construction, copper-alloy metal mesh netting, and constant vigilance for maintenance. However, in spite of our best efforts, there is always a possibility of some fish escaping. This is a problem for us as fish farmers, and it is also something to be avoided because of the potential genetic impacts, or the impacts on wild ecosystems.
We use only wild-caught or F1 (first generation) broodstock to ensure that there is no significant difference between the King Kampachi® inside the net pen and the wild fish outside in the Sea of Cortez.
Any fish that have escaped from our net pens, from breaches in the nursery netting, are invariably subjected to very heavy predation pressure. The long-term prospects for survival and reproductive success of any escapees are unknown. However, there is little likelihood of escapees competing in any significant manner with the wild stocks of snapper or other high value species targeted by local fishermen.
We report all of our escape events, and undergo rigorous analysis of the root cause, so that we can prevent future escapes. We share our escape reports here publicly because we are required to do so under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification standards (see Certifications page), and because we strongly believe that a transparent approach is important both for our customers and our community.
With environmental stewardship as one of our guiding principles, minimizing further impact on the environment becomes a goal. And is our duty to share data on incidents regarding protected species.
No incidents were reported in August 2022
Date: 05/09/2022
| DATE | INCIDENTS WITH PROTECTED SPECIES | INCIDENTES WITH NON PROTECTED SPECIES | REPORT NUMBER |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANUARY 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| FEBRUARY 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MARCH 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| APRIL 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MAY 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JUNE 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JULY 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| AUGUST 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| SEPTEMBER 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| OCTUBER 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| NOVEMBER 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| DICEMBER 2018 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JANUARY 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| FEBRUARY 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MARCH 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| APRIL 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MAY 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JUNE 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JULY 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| AUGUST 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| SEPTEMBER 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| OCTUBER 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| NOVEMBER 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| DICEMBER 2019 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JANUARY 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| FEBRUARY 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MARCH 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| APRIL 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MAY 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JUNE 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JULY 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| AUGUST 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| SEPTEMBER 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| OCTUBER 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| NOVEMBER 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| DICEMBER 2020 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JANUARY 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| FEBRUARY 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MARCH 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| APRIL 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MAY 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JUNE 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JULY 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| AUGUST 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| SEPTEMBER 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| OCTUBER 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| NOVEMBER 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| DICEMBER 2021 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JANUARY 2022 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| FEBRUARY 2022 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MARCH 2022 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| APRIL 2022 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| MAY 2022 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JUNE 2022 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| JULY 2022 | 0 | 0 | – – |
| AUGUST 2022 | 0 | 0 | – – |