Asmak brings first ever salmon farms

Asmak, the International Fish Farming Holding Co. PJSC, yesterday showed their intension to introduce, for the first time in the region, land based Salmon farming in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi utilising a unique recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) farm. The company shared the full details of the development plan yesterday as part of its participation at SIAL Middle East 2013, the leading industry event that opened on 24 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Apart from the projects, the company is also showcasing its current wide range of premium quality breaded and value-added frozen seafood products that comply with local and international hygiene and safety standards. The Asmak retail product offering includes shrimps in various sizes, white fish fillet, seafood cocktail, breaded fish nuggets and fish fingers amongst others. The Western Region's development plan comprises two projects a land based recirculation aquaculture system (RSA) farm including a cluster for small fish farmers and an offshore sea cages farm in Dalma Island. The first project, a land based recirculation aquaculture system (RSA) farm, will cover an area of 500,000 square meters and produces 4,000MT of fish in its two phases including Salmon, Seabream, Barrumundi and Subaiti. Through this facility, Asmak will produce salmon in a challenging environment since water temperatures must be maintained at 13 degrees centigrade, while the United Arab Emirates sea water can reach 40 degrees centigrade. Asmak sayd this pioneering project will rely on a dedicated team including enthusiastic local farmers who will be constantly updated on international practices by visiting experts from Norway and Ireland. The project will also include a small fish farmer cluster comprising 50 farms to annually produce 100MT of Seabream and few endangered species per farm. In addition to the land based farm, Asmak is studying the development of an offshore sea cages farm in Dalma Island consisting of 50 cages, covering an area of 250,000 square meters to produce Hamour, Subaiti and Seabream. As a key feature, the farm will host a processing plant with a production capacity of 800-1,000 MT per annum and employs between 17-22 people. Tamer Yousef, Marketing Manager of Asmak said, "The Company is working on developing projects to further assist the Abu Dhabi government improve food security as well as focus on farming popular and high revenue fish species. Furthermore, Asmak is currently conquering the MENA market through re-launching the frozen retail products to better supply its consumers