Product Offerings
Products:
Cobia: Premium whitefish known for its mild flavor and firm texture, raised in open ocean environments.
Open Blue Sea Farms, Inc. and Blue Ocean Mariculture are pioneering aquaculture companies dedicated to sustainable offshore fish farming. Open Blue operates off the Caribbean coast of Panama, while Blue Ocean Mariculture is based in Kona, Hawaii. Both companies have earned international recognition for their environmentally responsible practices and high-quality premium fish, catering to the growing demand for traceable, sustainable seafood in the global market.
Open Blue Sea Farms, Inc.
Company Overview
Open Blue Sea Farms, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is the world’s largest open-ocean mariculture company specializing in the farming of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum). Founded in the early 2000s, Open Blue has developed an offshore aquaculture platform located 12 kilometers off the coast of Panama, far from coastal ecosystems. This deepwater, high-current environment provides optimal growing conditions for fish and minimizes environmental impact.
Core Business
Open Blue focuses exclusively on the production and global distribution of Open Blue Cobia, a premium whitefish known for its rich flavor, firm texture, and high Omega-3 content. The company controls the full production lifecycle, including:
- Hatchery and fingerling production
- Offshore grow-out operations
- Onshore processing
- Cold-chain logistics and global distribution
Product Offering
- Open Blue Cobia
- Forms: Whole round, H&G (head and gutted), loins, fillets, and portions
- Attributes: High in Omega-3, low in mercury, versatile culinary profile
- Markets: Retail, foodservice, and wholesale
Specialization and USP
Open Blue’s main differentiators include:
- World’s first and largest open-ocean Cobia farm
- Fully integrated and vertically controlled production chain
- Use of low-density net pens in offshore deepwater environments
- No antibiotics, hormones, or preventive chemicals
- Certified environmentally sustainable practices
Certifications and Sustainability
- Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) – 4 Star Certified
- Friend of the Sea Certified
- Global G.A.P. Certified
- Non-GMO and Antibiotic-Free
These certifications allow Open Blue to access top-tier retail chains and premium seafood buyers in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Market Reach
- Active export markets: United States, Canada, European Union, Japan, Hong Kong
- Distribution partners: Premium seafood distributors, luxury hotel chains, Michelin-starred restaurants
Blue Ocean Mariculture
Company Overview
Blue Ocean Mariculture is the only commercial open-ocean fish farm in the United States. Located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Blue Ocean specializes in farming Hawaiian Kanpachi (Seriola rivoliana, also known as Almaco Jack), a high-value finfish known for its clean flavor and sashimi-grade quality.
Founded to promote sustainable domestic aquaculture, Blue Ocean Mariculture operates in federal waters using submerged net pens in deep ocean currents, replicating a natural marine environment.
Core Business
Blue Ocean Mariculture’s operations span:
- Broodstock and hatchery management in a land-based facility
- Offshore net-pen grow-out 1 mile off the Kona coast
- Onshore processing facility near the farm site
- Nationwide and international cold chain distribution
Product Offering
- Hawaiian Kanpachi
- Forms: Whole, H&G, fillets, sashimi blocks
- Uses: Sushi, sashimi, grilling, ceviche, and fine dining
- Average weight: 4-6 lbs market size
Specialization and USP
- Only commercial-scale open-ocean aquaculture operation in the U.S.
- High survivability rate and low feed conversion ratio
- No antibiotics or hormones used during the grow-out period
- Raised from hatch to harvest in Hawaii under strict biosecurity protocols
- Stable year-round supply with consistent quality
Certifications and Sustainability
- BAP Certification
- NOAA and FDA Compliance
- HI-Health Certification for disease-free stock
- Environmentally monitored net-pen locations
Blue Ocean’s model contributes to domestic food security while reducing pressure on wild fisheries.
Market Reach
- Domestic distribution in high-end restaurants, grocers, and meal kit providers
- Export markets include Japan, Canada, and select EU countries
- Strategic partnerships with seafood distributors and culinary schools
Combined Strengths and Industry Impact
While Open Blue and Blue Ocean Mariculture operate independently, their shared vision for sustainable aquaculture positions both companies as leaders in the global transition to ocean-raised fish. Key combined strengths include:
- Pioneering offshore mariculture technologies
- Transparent, full lifecycle traceability
- Responsibly managed health and welfare systems
- Contribution to global food security with high-protein, low-impact fish
Together, these companies are redefining how the world produces premium marine proteins—on a foundation of innovation, sustainability, and scientific stewardship.