WILLEMSTAD – A planned commercial fish farm at Bullenbaai could eventually generate more than 80 direct and indirect jobs as CurAqua B.V. gradually expands production of Yellowtail Kingfish in Curaçao.
CurAqua and 2BAYS Curaçao have signed a long-term agreement for the use of land at Bullenbaai, where the company intends to establish what it says will be the Caribbean’s first commercial land-based fish farm.
Development will take place in phases. The first phase is expected to have an annual production capacity of approximately 400 metric tons of Yellowtail Kingfish, also internationally marketed as Hiramasa.
The facility will be designed to allow production to eventually increase to approximately 1,600 metric tons annually.
During the initial production phase, CurAqua expects the project to support more than 22 direct and indirect jobs. At full planned capacity, that number could rise to more than 80.
Positions are expected to include system operators, biological technicians, maintenance technicians, production workers and administrative employees.
CurAqua says it intends to recruit and train workers locally rather than rely primarily on imported labor. The company also plans to cooperate with educational institutions in Curaçao to develop the specialized knowledge and skills required for the emerging aquaculture industry.
Curaçao Investment & Export Promotion Agency (CINEX) Director Miles Mercera described the project as an example of the type of economic diversification Curaçao is seeking.
According to Mercera, investments such as CurAqua can introduce new productive industries, develop local expertise, strengthen the island’s export capacity and create employment opportunities.
“CINEX is pleased to have helped facilitate this investment,” Mercera said, adding that the organization will continue working with CurAqua, 2BAYS and other stakeholders as the development moves into its next stages.
The majority of the fish produced at Bullenbaai is expected to be exported to premium markets in the United States and Europe, providing Curaçao with a new export-oriented industry. Part of the production will also be available for local and regional consumption.