Hawaii Oceanic undergoing difficult process of perfecting the rearing of ahi tuna
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Honolulu Star-Advertiser] By Andrew Gomes - July 21, 2014 -
Farmed ahi isn't quite ready to become Hawaii's newest export, though an ambitious venture to raise yellowfin tuna is getting close to launching after eight years and nearly $10 million invested in the effort.
Hawaii Oceanic Technology Inc. has endured a lengthy regulatory process and still faces challenges rearing yellowfin from eggs. But company CEO Bill Spencer said last week an initial pool of young fish may finally start swimming in sea cages off Hawaii island next year.
"No one has done this before," said Spencer, former president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association. "Though additional work needs to be done, company officials and research partners are confident that success with egg-to-plate tuna rearing is at hand."
Spencer established Hawaii Oceanic in 2006 and has spent the last several years obtaining permits, working on cage technology and trying to rear ahi.
He expects construction of the first of the company's patented "oceanspheres" by the end of this year. Testing in the sea is scheduled to begin in 2015, he said.
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