CATCH & TOWING

The SBT are transferred from catching net to tow cages and towed back to Port Lincoln where they are transferred into farm cages. The towing is managed by our Dive supervisor, Luke Densley with over 10 years experience towing fish from the GAB to Port Lincoln.

This is the first critical part of our operation as the quality of the end product requires the fish be as relaxed as possible during the towing operation.

FEEDING

The fish are then fed a combination of high fat imported sardines, anchovies, mackerel, red bait, squid and locally caught high protein sardines to produce a consistent, premium quality, product for export around the World.

We use a variety of feed methods depending on the bait type to ensure each fish is fed appropriately. No chemicals or antibiotics of any type are used. Our purse seining vessel, Sardinops is used to catch the local sardines.

FARMING

Proactive fish husbandry is the next critical step in the success of producing high quality sashimi. SAMS monitors feed rates, fish activity, water temperature, wind and wave action, dissolved oxygen, net fouling and the sea floor. Our farming team including General Manager, Shane Phillips, Farm Manager, Steve Wilson, Dive Supervisor Luke Densley and Feed Skippers discuss daily the monitoring results and modify feeding practices to best suit the activity of the fish and state of the water column in and around the farm.

The pontoons and nets are designed to maximise water flow and minimise marine growth and are regularly monitored by our dive team to ensure their integrity.

HARVEST

In the winter months and once the SBT have reached their optimum growth and condition they are harvested, under strict HACCP rules. The harvest process includes the physical capture of each individual fish and within seconds, the killing, bleeding and gill and gutting before the fish are placed in an ice slurry (0 degrees C) and transported to our factory for processing or customer vessels for “on board” freezing.

Each fish produced is certified by the Australian Government as meeting all the regulations of Japan, the European Union, the United States and Australia. Our tuna meets all International standards, including, CODEX and the World Health Organisation.