Kingfish farmed fish

Since this year, Kingfish Zeeland has been farming yellowtail kingfish as an alternative to endangered tuna or swordfish in a former oyster farm in Colijnsplaat. This popular saltwater fish normally swims in the Southern Ocean around Australia and Japan, but it also appears to thrive as a farmed fish in our Zeeland waters.

Cross between tuna and swordfish
The yellowtail kingfish (also known as: yellowtail kingfish, pure Pacific yellowtail or hamachi) is a predatory fish related to mackerel, but in terms of taste and texture it resembles a combination of tuna, sea bass and swordfish. Chefs praise the fish for its firmness and mild flavour. In Japan, it is widely used in sushi and sashimi, but it can also be prepared perfectly well cured, as ceviche, or lightly grilled.

Luxury farmed fish
The fish normally swims in schools in salt water and is therefore accustomed to living with many fish in a relatively small space. Thanks to its strength, rapid growth and resilience to stress, it is an ideal farmed fish for the premium segment. The Zeeland farmers aim to farm around 200,000 fish per year in the future, but in a sustainable way. And that offers major benefits for the environment and the flavour. Instead of importing the fish frozen from the other side of the world, it is now possible to source it fresh and locally.

Sustainable alternative
Cheap exotic ‘bargain fish’ such as tilapia and pangasius have not helped the image of farmed fish. For example, pesticides and antibiotics are reportedly used in farming, which are harmful to the health of fish and people. According to director Ohad Maiman, Zeeland Yellowtail Kingfish is farmed sustainably without chemicals, antibiotics or vaccinations. The fish are fed organic feed made from non-genetically modified fish waste and swim in purified seawater from the Oosterschelde, which is refreshed three times a day.

Nomination for the Horecava Innovation Award 2017
Because of the special qualities (sustainable, delicious and healthy) of this farmed fish, it was nominated for the Horecava Innovation Award 2017 in the Food & Beverage category.