Regal Springs Tilapia » Blog

Regal Springs’ Magdalena Wallhoff speaking at WWF

Magdalena — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:52:14 +0000

Regal Springs’ Magdalena Wallhoff will be a contributor at the World Wildlife Fund Sustainable Sourcing Workshop in Washington, D.C., Feb. 26 – 27, to address sourcing challenges and opportunities associated with several agricultural, forest, and seafood commodities. We are grateful to have this opportunity to share our expertise in meeting the world’s demand for protein in a sustainable, balanced manner.

Regal Springs team up to sell tilapia to UK

Magdalena — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:19:02 +0000

Regal Springs skin-on fillets. Photo by Bonjwing Lee for Regal Springs.

January 16, 2013, 6:58 am

Eva Tallaksen

Regal Springs, the world’s largest tilapia producer, has teamed up with Continental Seafoods to sell its Indonesia Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)-certified tilapia into the UK.

If it takes off, the project could easily be the largest of its kind yet in the UK – a country which eats only a few hundred tons of tilapia a year, and where cod and haddock hold strong positions.

Regal’s tilapia ticks all the boxes for a great sustainability story, Continental director Kit Smith told Undercurrent News.

“It’s a value end of the market, that should be really attractive to all the contractors. The price is there, the quality is there, the provenance is there, what more do you want?”

The idea is to sell it as ASC-labelled frozen fillets and loins, from Regal’s ASC farms in Indonesia, with stock held in the Netherlands.

“It’s an affordable, quality fish with a good provenance, and if we are to satisfy the growing demand for healthy eating at the value end of the market; allow more people access, I can’t believe that tilapia should not be on the agenda.”

The idea for the project was borne out of an encounter with Regal Springs in early 2012, following which the companies decided to set up a joint venture to that effect.

Under the agreement, Continental — a British company founded only last year to sell and market seafood into the UK — will market and sell Regal tilapia to UK foodservice buyers and retailers.

Regal CEO and founder Rudy Lamprecht had pointed out that the UK may be a tough nut to crack, Smith said. “Regal’s view of the market is that consumers are very habitual and not very experimental when it comes to fish – they like their cod and haddock, and won’t easily adopt new species.”

But according to Smith, “you’ve got to start somewhere. The market will turn at some stage, it’s just a question of whether you want to be there, and do the turning, or wait for it to turn”.

Smith was in part inspired by exchanges he’d had with Mike Pichetti, the former Regal sales executive who was instrumental in opening up the US market to Regal’s tilapia.

“[UK] consumers are very habitual and not very experimental when it comes to fish – they like their cod and haddock, and won’t easily adopt new species”

The advice was that “you’ve got to engage the households”, mainly through retailers, who themselves employ chefs and inspire menu ideas, said Smith. “It won’t be easy, it wasn’t easy in America, you’ve just got to grind it out.”

This is not Regal’s first foray in the UK market. It sells to two UK retailers already and last summer it supplied some 250,000 loins to the Olympics, via Direct Seafoods. The fish was reportedly specifically asked for by athletes for its lean meat and high protein content, while organizers were on the lookout for sustainable sources.

“What we thought is, why can’t we do this on a daily basis?” Smith said.

The project’s first step will be next Monday, when Regal Springs and Continental will be sponsoring the Sustainable Fish Forum in London.

The event is organized by Sustainable Fish City, which has gotten a number of big brands and public departments signed up to the proposition to make London the most sustainable fish city in the world. This very proposition “makes it the best place to start”, Smith said.

The message Continental wants to get through is that Regal’s tilapia is a pristine, quality fish, “with a fantastic story behind it, and a cut above much of the tilapia that the UK has seen in the past”.

While it may not match current frozen tilapia products in price, “you can’t compare the two,” Smith said. The aim is not to target current tilapia consumers, but to convince those more traditional fish consumers, and those looking for a less fishy fish option, that Regal is a good alternative.

The Regal brand will be also key. “I truly believe that we should be trying to pin the quality on the brand.”

Regal Springs Mexico – Acuagranjas Dos Lagos

Renee1 — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:55:51 +0000

Nestled in the lush, green hills of Chiapas, Mexico is Acuagranjas Dos Lagos, Regal Springs’ newest operations complex. The facilities consist of a hatchery, juvenile fry nursery, floating grow-out cages and a state of the art production facility. Lake Penitas, on which the tilapia are raised in floating cages, boasts pure, fresh water surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. Once grown, the fish are processed in a cutting edge production facility that is slated for completion in early 2013. Once completed, the facility will be able to accommodate 40-50 metric tons of frozen storage capacity in addition to fresh processing and custom cutting. When fully operational, the production facility alone will employ 850 to 1000 local residents.

As we have done in Honduras and Indonesia, Regal Springs is committed to supporting the Chiapas community. Our most recent projects include supporting the opening of a new school and pledging our support for the Ocote Jungle Biosphere Reserve. Outlined by the Sierra de las Viente Casas (Twenty Houses of Sierra) mountain range, it has almost 50 thousand hectares and was created in 1982 for the preservation of the flora and fauna in the northern region of the state of Chiapas.

Regal Springs has initiated the certification process for our hatchery, farms and production facility at Acuagranjas Dos Lagos. We are proud to be the recipient of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) International Standards for Responsible Tilapia Aquaculture (ISRTA) for our facilities in both Indonesia and Honduras. We have also been awarded the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s (GAA) Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification for our facilities in Honduras. We are proud to be recognized as the leader in eco-balanced tilapia aquaculture and fully anticipate our facilities in Mexico to follow suite.

Regal Springs Honduras Farm Receives BAP Certification

PDavidson — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:20:53 +0000

Regal Springs Tilapia is proud to announce their Honduras plant has been awarded the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s (GAA) Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification.

Aquafinca Saint Peter Fish S.A. achieved the first BAP Certification in Honduras for their processing plant in San Francisco De Yojoa, Cortes. Aquafinca processes over 25,000 mt annually of both fresh and frozen tilapia primarily for the US market.

While we are pleased to be recognized as the leader in balanced, responsible aquaculture, our philosophy has always been to farm a premium product at minimum expense to the environment and communities in which we farm. It is our passion to farm well, as we have been responsibly farming from inception over 25 years ago.

In addition to the BAP certification, Regal Springs also holds several other certifications, in areas that include food safety and environmental and social responsibility. We are particularly proud that our farm in Indonesia was the first farm in the world to achieve the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) certification for both the farm operations as well as the Chain of Custody. Our Honduras farm likewise earned these same ASC certifications in October of this year.

Mexico, our newest operation, is in the process of achieving similar certifications.

To learn more about all of our certifications, click here: http://www.regalsprings.com/certifications/

New! Doctor’s office in Mexico

Magdalena — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:58:38 +0000

A quick snapshot of our new doctor’s office at our facility in Mexico. Such an important resource for our employees!

Rubio’s is cooking with Regal Springs

Magdalena — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:19:05 +0000

Rubio's featuring Regal Springs

Regal Springs’ founder recently ate at Rubio’s with his youngest daughter, to try the fish tacos made with Regal Springs tilapia. The mild, succulent fish paired well with the fresh and spicy taste of the tacos. We are very pleased to partner with Rubio’s, and wish them continued success!

Youngest daughter of Regal Springs' founder, visiting Rubio's

Thank you, Rubio's, for partnering with us.

Regal Springs receives global trademark for responsibly farmed seafood!

PDavidson — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:11:08 +0000

Amsterdam, 20th of August 2012 – Today, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) celebrates the market launch of its global, independent trademark for responsibly farmed seafood. Tilapia from Indonesia is first farmed fish to meet the ASC’s certification standard. This tilapia is recognised through the use of the on-pack ASC logo. The logo reinforces to consumers that the fish they purchased is responsibly farmed so that adverse environmental and social impacts are minimised.

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council is an independent international initiative founded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH). Fish farming is the world’s fastest growing food production sector. By 2018, more seafood will be farmed than caught from the wild. Already, almost half of seafood found on grocer’s shelves comes from farms. Addressing the negative impacts of this important sector at this point is timely and necessary. ASC certified farms limit their impacts on the environment from the effects of water pollution, the use of chemicals and antibiotics, and escapes of farmed fish. They also adhere to guidelines that promote the social conditions of workers and local communities.

Reducing environmental impact
“The demand for protein-rich seafood is rapidly increasing,” says Johan van de Gronden, director of WWF in the Netherlands. “If we do nothing, there will be major environmental consequences. Some fish and shrimp farms in Asia have seriously affected valuable mangrove forests areas that serve as nurseries for the ocean and constitute natural coastal defences. Aquaculture can contribute to feeding the growing world population, but this must be done responsibly. The introduction of ASC certified tilapia today is just the first step. Soon, other products bearing the ASC logo will be available in stores and in restaurants. Together we can make responsibly farmed fish mainstream.”

Independent certification
As an independent organisation, the ASC manages the standards and the certification process. ASC does not certify the farms itself; this is done by independent certifiers. The method is similar to the familiar certification programmes for wild capture fisheries (MSC) and forestry (FSC). The ASC logo on the fish packaging will make clear that the fish has been responsibly farmed. “Today marks a turning point for all those that care about how the seafood they eat has been produced. The ASC logo guarantees that the fish farm respects both the environment and the people involved in its husbandry by minimising the farm’s impacts on its surroundings and by behaving in a socially responsible manner. Never before have such credible endorsements been available that are underpinned by the most robust and transparent certification programme available globally. Soon seafood buyers will be able to buy ASC certified salmon, shrimp, trout, pangasius, bivalve and abalone products knowing that their concerns are taken care of. It can’t get any simpler,” said Chris Ninnes, CEO of the ASC.

The first ASC tilapia from Indonesia
The now/first certified tilapia farm in Indonesia is one of the biggest in the world and is operated by Regal Springs. The farm uses large floating cages that have demonstrated their minimal impact on the natural environment. In cooperation with NGOs and scientists, Regal Springs monitors the water quality continuously. Furthermore, good social working conditions and care for the local community are important corporate values enshrined in its approach to corporate responsibility.
ASC tilapia available in many countries

ASC certified tilapia will be available in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, France, Belgium, Spain and Canada. Albert Heijn, the largest fish retailer of the Netherlands, is one of the pioneers when it comes to sourcing its seafood and cooperates with WWF on its sourcing policies. Under its own brand, only sustainably caught or responsibly farmed fish will be sold by the end of 2015. In addition, tilapia sold by Queens using the ASC logo will be available in around 2,000 supermarket outlets. Dutch supermarket chains such as Jumbo and C1000 will also be offering ASC tilapia and seafood companies such as Mayonna in the Netherlands and TopSea, Costa and bofrost* in Germany are all supplying tilapia products carrying the ASC logo.

More tilapia farms in Honduras, Taiwan, Ecuador and Malaysia have all formally announced that they will be audited; and following a positive outcome, the supply of certified ASC products will substantially increase.
Other certified fish coming soon
Other seafood species will shortly also be ASC-certified. Pangasius products will be next and likely available early in the autumn of 2012. These products will be followed by certified clams, mussels,
scallops, oysters, abalone and salmon later in 2012. The standards for shrimp and trout will soon be finalised and the first farm audits may take place before the year end.

For more information about this press release please contact:
Tilly Sintnicolaas, ASC, T: +31 (0)70 385 18 02, E: tilly@bureausintnicolaas.nl
Sun Brage, ASC, T: +31 (0)30 230 56 92, E: sun.brage@asc-aqua.org
For digital press folder and images go to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u34ty2bgm4nxdbt/5yLUicsBRX

Guide to Conservation by WWF

Magdalena — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:25:10 +0000

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, aquaculture makes up almost half (73 million tons) of the world supply of seafood (150 million tons). By some estimates, aquaculture is projected to surpass wild harvest in fisheries production and supply in the next 10 years. Since aquaculture is emerging as a competitive alternative to the fishing industry, revenue from aquaculture production could be a substantial source of funding for conservation activities, as illustrated by these examples from Honduras, Ecuador, and Australia. www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0699e/A0699E00.HTM

Read the full report here. Our farms are featured on page 28.

“To date, revenues from fish sales are $2,400,000, of which $514,000 in profits are being reinvested in community projects”

Regal Springs Tilapia is one of the largest producers of tilapia in the world. The company invests in conservation and social projects with communities in Honduras, Indonesia and Mexico. In Honduras, one of the company’s projects, “Fish for Trees,” provides community members with the opportunity to start their own tilapia aquafarms by giving them a percentage the company’s fingerlings, feed, and tilapia cages. The profits from this project go back into community projects, such as planting trees to pre- vent soil erosion, installing electricity to reduce the use of wood for cooking, policing the forest against illegal logging, supporting health clinics, and investing in con- servation education. To date, revenues from fish sales are $2,400,000, of which $514,000 in profits are being reinvested in community projects. Regal Springs has also invested $150,000 per year of their own money in additional community and conservation projects. Their approach to fish farming and conservation are to incorporate a [sic] holistic strategy of sustainable business profits, education, environmental protection, and community infrastructure development.

Our Tilapia will be served at the Olympics

Magdalena — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:33:39 +0000

Olympic boost for Direct Seafoods (excerpt from intrafish.com)

Athletes especially requested tilapia because of its high protein content, says UK foodservice supplier with Olympic contract.

Published: 14 May 2012 09:37 AM Updated: 14 May 2012 09:37 AM

Direct Seafoods, a division of UK foodservice supplier Seafood Holdings, sees the Olympics as a boost for its business on balance, despite the fact that it might hit corporate contract catering.

The company has a contract to supply 160 metric tons of seafood to the workers and athletes in the Olympic village, representing 1.2 million servings.

Athletes especially requested tilapia because of its high protein content compared to other seafood sources, said Paul Gower, sales director with the company. “One 120-gram serving makes up more than 50 percent of an adult daily requirement.”

Direct is working with the non-governmental organization Sustain in terms of the product mix.

“They didn’t just want Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified cod and haddock, they wanted variety as well as sustainable species,” Gower told IntraFish. “We have about 30 different species.”

This includes local wild species, such as bream and gurnard from the southwest of the United Kingdom, as well as Regal Springs’ GlobalGap-certified tilapia from Indonesia.

The criteria for approval from Sustain included things such as being on Marine Conservation Society (MSC) list, in addition to GlobalGap for farmed and MSC for wild fish.

Direct Seafoods also has a contract to supply to the seafood restaurants in the Olympic Village, as well as to other Olympic venues, which takes the total number of servings to around 2.8 million.

NRA Show 2012 – Chicago, IL

PDavidson — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:45:53 +0000

NRA show is a success this year! We are enjoying seeing customers and hearing from potential customers in the restaurant business. There has been a lot of interest in our portions, besides all our fillet sizes.