WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao is set to become home to what is being described as the Caribbean’s first commercial land-based fish farm following the signing of a long-term agreement between 2BAYS Curaçao and CurAqua B.V. for a site at Bullenbaai.
CurAqua plans to develop a facility for farming Yellowtail Kingfish, or Seriola lalandi, a premium fish internationally known as Hiramasa and highly valued for sashimi and other raw preparations.
Production will primarily target high-value export markets in the United States and Europe, although CurAqua also intends to supply Curaçao and the wider regional market.
According to the company, Curaçao currently imports a significant portion of the fish and seafood consumed on the island. Founder and Managing Director Gunnar Bracelly believes local conditions offer an opportunity to establish an entirely new aquaculture industry.
“Curaçao imports a significant share of the fish and seafood consumed on the island. At the same time, we have the water, climate and people here to build a new aquaculture industry,” Bracelly said.
Bracelly, who grew up in the islands, said there was never any doubt in his mind about developing the project in Curaçao rather than elsewhere.
“Local quality, global impact: that was the idea from the beginning,” he said.
The developers say Bullenbaai is particularly suitable because it combines an existing industrial site and infrastructure with sufficient space for phased development and access to deep seawater close to shore.
Curaçao’s stable year-round climate and its location outside the main hurricane belt are also considered important advantages for a facility designed to operate continuously.
2BAYS Curaçao Director Patrick Newton said the project fits into the company’s broader ambition to transform Bullenbaai into a diversified, future-oriented industrial location.
“Bullenbaai has played an important role in Curaçao’s economy for decades,” Newton said. “It is our ambition to build on this history by developing the area into a diverse and future-oriented industrial location.”
CurAqua will now proceed with environmental studies, detailed engineering and applications for the permits required to develop the facility. Construction is expected to begin once all necessary permits and approvals have been obtained.