Sustainability is a popular word right now – and with many definitions.  It doesn’t always mean good stewardship (responsible use of resources), either.  But we are confident that we’re a standard for both categories.  At this point, the USDA & FDA have not set final standards to certify any fish product as organic.  However, Bell Perch™ Yellow Perch is currently as close as possible based on general organic standards, since the means and methods we employ to raise the product are pure.  We will pursue efforts to meet whatever standards will be set by the USDA to certify Bell Perch™ Yellow Perch as organic yellow perch.  Below are many of the areas in which we aim to be good stewards:

Our business is sustainable & scientific:

• Farm-raised Bell Perch™ Yellow Perch will reduce the demand for wild fish, meaning there is no impact to area lakes and rivers.
• Our fish are grown from our own broodstock, so health is monitored throughout the entire life cycle.
• Our indoor farms are “self-contained” and scaleable – producing more than 6.5 million pounds of fish by the year 2015.
• Research and testing has been, and continues to be, done to determine what technology and methods are the healthiest way for the fish to live and grow.

Fish Food:

• Bell Perch™ Yellow Perch are fed a widely available, commercial, pelleted feed.   We are working with partners to develop a special “recipe” specifically designed for yellow perch, which includes sustainable ingredients.
• This science-based formulation includes high-quality fishmeal, high-protein soybean meal, ingredients from corn and wheat, fish oil that is high in heart-healthy omega-3 fats, vitamins and minerals, and other essential nutrients. As we and the academic community and our feed suppliers work to develop a certifiably organic diet, some ingredients will be replaced with fully sustainable alternatives. We require very little wild fish or fishmeal in the feeding of our fish and are working to use truly sustainable resources for food, including soybeans.

Water:

• We use a natural source (deep well water), but it is purified via an onsite water plant.
• Our recirculating aquaculture systems dramatically reduce water consumption. Bell has implemented technology that re-uses 99% percent of water on a flow basis.

Living Conditions:

• We mirror the fish’s natural environment in terms of water temperature as well fish to be with – as they are a schooling fish.  In other words, they live in an ideal environment but without predation or disease as a concern.

Biosecurity

• Tours are limited to reduce the threat of contamination and disease.
• We take careful security measures to monitor all employee activity.
• Because of our indoor environment, our fish can’t escape into the wild to be exposed to disease, parasites, toxins or other threat.
• We operate under strict FDA-HAACP plans and USDA guidelines.