Not all farms are created equal.  Unfortunately, when it comes to mainstream aquaculture, most farms do not meet our antibiotic-free, non-GMO standards.   We work exclusively with artisan farmers consciously raising kelp, mollusks, crustaceans, and fin-fish from eggs on sustainable low Fish-In-Fish-Out (FIFO) diets, high in algae-based Omega-3s, and safe from environmental or commercial toxins.  

SEATOPIA's farm partners check all the boxes and keep getting better:  

No preventative antibiotics;  Non-GMO brood stock; No hormones; Raised in clean, deep-water; Low-density grow-out sites; Safe from micro-plastics; Sustainable low FIFO diets safe from mercury or heavy metals.

The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) commonly referred to in aquaculture as the "Fish In: Fish Out" (FIFO) ratio has a direct correlation to the net efficacy of farming fish for protein.  

For example beef raised on grain on average report a 6:1 FCR, or 6 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of beef.  Pork FCRs average around 3:1.  

Similarly, not all species of fish have the same FCR or FIFO.  Tuna farms for example are highly inefficient especially if fed whole sardines.  Some Bluefin tuna ranches report FIFO ratio average of approximately 28:1!  

By contrast, smart aquaculture farms are focusing on species like Kanpachi (Almaco Jack) that efficiently convert feed, and increasingly using sea vegetable sources for feed proteins. Maine Kingfish for example raise  SEATOPIA Yellowtail at a 1:1.4 FIFO ratio. 

Also by substituting fish-oils and fish-meal sourced from wild bait fish, in exchange for algae-based sources of long-chain Omega-3s, SEATOPIA's farm partners are able to improve the Omega-3 content of farmed fish and reduce the net FIFO ratio.

99% water to 1% fish.  This is a key metric for measuring the density of a fish farm.  Crowded fish farms create unhealthy living conditions and generally necessitate preventative antibiotics.  SEATOPIA's farm partners prioritize quality over quantity.  

Treated with Respect.  Handled with Love.  This is an over-arching theme of all of our seafood farm partners.

Fair Trade Labor Practices are cornerstone to healthy communities capable of respecting the environment, the fish, and our food.

SEATOPIA strives for excellence in every area, and that includes working with the best possible seafood processing facilities. We work with companies and farmers that are dedicated to doing the right thing – never cutting corners, and always looking for ways to improve. Their facilities are routinely inspected and approved by the USDA or a comparable agency.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, our artisan farms swiftly enacted sanitization & safety protocols at their respective facilities in order to protect their staff and you, our customers. While there isn't any evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through food, our farm partners have taken many precautions at all of our facilities, such as checking temperatures, sanitizing frequently, washing hands regularly, maintaining physical distance, requiring use of masks, prohibiting external visitors, and other proactive measures.

We also believe in fair labor practices. In line with our family and community values, we seek partners who treat their employees as part of a united team.