Australis barramundi: a new certification milestone.

Australis Aquaculture, LLC has recently become the first finfish farm in the world to achieve certification under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) tropical marine finfish standards for its open ocean farm in Vietnam. Producing barramundi, Australis also holds certifications with Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), Ocean Wise, Monterey Bay Seafood Watch, and BRC Food, among others. This company is striving to produce a premium product that is transparent and 100% traceable. From the moment fish are hatched to the moment they are harvested, Australis manages the product with a close eye. The fish produced are also free of any antibiotics, colorants, or chemicals.

Native to the Indo-Pacific, barramundi is a popular choice in Australian and Southeast Asian cuisine. Being a newcomer to the American market, barramundi is holding a place in high-end restaurants as well as mid-scale retail. Barramundi is a very versatile fish, having pearly pink raw flesh and flaky white cooked flesh. This species has a high oil content to keep the fish moist while cooking, and has a sweet, mild flavor that lends well to a myriad of preparations. Barramundi has also been reported to be one of the fastest growing aquaculture species in terms of production globally over the past ten years.

Australis produces a range of products, from frozen fillets (all natural, lemon herb butter, garlic teriyaki) to refreshed fish portions and fillets. Refreshed products are those that have been previously frozen and are then thawed and sold from a seafood case. Australis products can be found in Costco, Whole Foods, BJ’s, Harris Teeter, and Safeway, among others. Being a sustainable seafood option, this barramundi is making a splash in the American market. Earning the ASC certification ensures that this fish is produced in a way that minimizes the environmental impacts of farming while also contributing to the social developments of the communities in which they are being farmed. This is yet another milestone for Australis Aquaculture, which will undoubtedly not be the last.