We currently farm gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), although in the past we have also farmed European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and the common meagre (Argyrosomus reglus). The fish are normally sold whole, fresh on ice, in the European Union, mainly in Italy. Sales, marketing and distribution are carried out directly by our fully owned subsidiary P2M Italia Srl, operating from Rome, Italy.
Our Quality
Juveniles
Superior quality juveniles are bought from major French suppliers. We hold the full genetic history of each batch of juveniles that we receive, including health certification by independent veterinarians, who specialise in this particular field. We do not accept any juveniles unless they are certified as being completely free of any form of disease and the supplier must provide a full traceabilty protocol for each batch imported. This is required to ensure that all products reaching the consumer are fully traceable to their source. LINKS: www.douhet.com
Aquaculture Feed
Environmentally friendly feeds used in St. Paul’s Bay
Fish meals used in to feed the fish reared in Malta’s bays and in our pens off shore come from sustainable stocks of industrial fish primarily caught in the North Atlantic and the Pacific. Our supplier is the world’s largest producer of high quality fish feed, ensuring that our final product is of a consistent, high quality in texture and flavour. This, in turn, has an impact on the flavour of our fish. Improved production technology using superior raw materials enables the fish to better digest the feed, leading to lower nutritional wastage and lower feed conversion ratios (FCR) when coupled with improvements in feed management. Over the years we have developed very precise growth models based on experience and supplier input that enable us to feed to obtain maximum growth and minimum FCR and ultimately minimise environmental impact. The gilthead sea bream harvested in Malta eats half its final weight in wild fish during its lifetime, with the balance made up of other ingredients, including soya and other vegetables. Our feed contains no hormones, growth promoters, attractants or antibiotics. This is what makes this type of fish farming sustainable. LINK: www.skretting.com
Harvesting
Our fish are farmed in the crystal clear waters in the north of the Island, which are among the best in the Mediterranean. The time-span between slaughter and packing on ice is as low as 45 minutes, which ensures superior freshness. All aspects of food hygiene and safety are governed by the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) system, which was originally developed to ensure the safety of astronauts in the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) manned space programme. The system has since been developed further as a practical and preventive method to promote food hygiene, specified by the World Health Organisation as the most effective means to control food-borne diseases.