No, it is not a new song nor is it a colorful musical instrument. It is the name of a fish.
The story of Sea Fish Farming has started with Red Drum. A few years ago, a couple of entrepreneurs had the dream of starting a new industry, not just a business, in Mauritius. We are a small island and yet we have a large portion of sea which has not been exploited to its fullest potential. Some four years ago, after much battling to convince the government authorities to obtain the necessary permits and a plot of land at Pointe aux Feuilles and some acres of the lagoon on lease the entrepreneurs started a Sea Fish Farm. Today, Ferme Marine de Mahebourg (FMM) with a total paid up capital of some 100 million rupees, has in its first phase proven that Sea Fish Farming is feasible in Mauritius.
Red Drum are now spawning in an ultra model, world class hatchery, then raised at sea in special fishing nets and finally bred to the size required by the market. Most of the technical hitches have been sorted out. The installation respects all the international environment and hygiene safety norms. Exports to various overseas markets have started, and the fish has received a good response on the local market particular in the up market end of the hotels.
FMM is now tackling its next phase of development. By December this year a processing plant to pack fish filets for export to the very stringent European norms should be on stream. The total production capacity now stands at 1000tons annually. The path of sea fish farming has been opened by FMM. Over and above the RED Drum, FMM are now also breeding Guele Pave and Cordonnier our local fish breeds. Cobia which is also an imported fish is also being raised for breeding. It is worthy to note that it took over 3 years for the hatchery to get some of the imported Red Drum which landed in Mauritius on the 14 December2002 to reach maturity to lay eggs.
Should Mauritius seriously drive aquaculture as a priority industry, in the coming 5 to 8 years production capacity of 10 fold the present production level could be looked at by Mauritius. At an export price of 6Euros per kilo we would be looking at turnover of 60 million Euros.
A visit to FMM is really a worthwhile trip. To witness the birth of an industry which could be one of the pillar industries of the island in years to come is fascinating.
Hats off to the entrepreneurs who without much drumming are getting Mauritius out of red.
7 comments ↓
Dear Joseph
Dan asked all Rotarians to visit your blog. I’m glad i did. It’s thought-provoking, thanks for taking the time and and energy to bring up the issues. Bonne continuation, so now I know what you do between our weekly Monday meetings.
Rgds
Andre
A possible moniker for the red drum could be “the slippery gold”!
Quite interesting subject and FYI the French name is “ombrine subtropicale” and the scientific name is : Sciaenops ocellatus.
Here is some further reading about the same project as carried out as far back as 1997 in Martinique.
Take care
Cheers
Bernard LI.
[…] A Red Drum Farm… in Mauritius. Red Drum are now spawning in an ultra model, world class hatchery, then raised at sea in special fishing nets and finally bred to the size required by the market. Most of the technical hitches have been sorted out. The installation respects all the international environment and hygiene safety norms. Exports to various overseas markets have started, and the fish has received a good response on the local market particular in the up market end of the hotels. […]
[…] Je vous recommande la lecture d’un mini dossier qui parait sur l’express du jour le 24 janvier. Je me réjouis de voir l’évolution de la deuxième phase de la societe FMM. Red Drum semble avoir pris des ailes….Outre de se trouver à la table des convives de Maurice, Red Drum et Guele Pavee de FMM donnent saveur aux repas gastronomique maintenant en Suisse, Afrique du sud, les pays du Golfe, les états unis d’Amérique et le Canada. FMM a ouvert la voie me disait mon ami Jean Pierre H…, maintenant les gros captaines arrivent ! La bataille et le jeu d’influence seront pour les meilleurs sites ! Voila que l’industrie de la mer prend son envol. Petit Ile Maurice avec un champ d’action océanique très étendue ! Ile Maurice Ferme océanique d’envergure c’est mon rêve ! […]
My fishpen in philippines in laguna lake was sucessful, tilapia ,carp big head,bangus. wish you luck .I did know fish farm existed in mauritius I was in vacoas 2 weeks ago , back in uk . I would like to visit your fish farm if possible later this year thanks dan
Dear Joseph,
I am researching Cobia farming in India.
Is it possible to get a web site/contact # for Ferme Marine de Mahebourg (FMM).
Any other info also welcome
Best
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