Praised for their quality, taste, and freshness, the four-season Pacific Oyster remains consistent year-round.
(MEXICO, 10/9/2014)
Sol Azul leads sustainable, year round, oyster production in Baja California, Mexico. Sol Azul produces one of the finest and freshest organic oysters available in the market. Its delicious Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and Kumamoto oyster (Crassostrea gigas var. sikamea) satisfy the most demanding palates and meet the toughest standards of quality.
Sol Azul farms are located in the coastal lagoons of “El Vizcaíno”, an internationally-recognized Biosphere Reserve on the West coast of the Baja Peninsula where the gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) come to reproduce.
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| The remote sites, free of polllution are ideally suited for the sustainable culture of bivalve mollusks. |
Sol Azul seeks to contribute to the holistic development of the region and, especially, to make aquaculture production compatible with the goals of the Biosphere Reserve of El Vizcaíno; to protect the environment while carrying out productive activities. To achieve this, Sol Azul works in close collaboration with various local and international NGOs towards protecting the region’s natural heritage, while simultaneously promoting the sustainable development of local communities.
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| Sol Azul uses hatchery-reared oyster “seed” which are later transferred to grow in bags set over beds in intertidal flats. They use non-GM biological triploid oysters. |
The techniques and facilities for shellfish aquaculture employed by Sol Azul are of very low impact to the environment. Oysters feed exclusively on the abundant natural phytoplankton, avoiding any artificial feeds or chemical products that could affect the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Sol Azul has adapted to Mexico the French farming method for oyster production using plastic bags placed in intertidal beds. Rebar “beds” are placed directly on the intertidal zone, with Redlon polyethylene bags with the oysters resting on the beds. The beds do not require any concrete work and are completely movable, allowing the free exchange and movement of water.
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| From their birth oysters feed exclusively on the natural algae that grow in the water column (phytoplankton). |
The development of commercial mariculture in this region is vital to reduce pressure on natural resources characteristic of extractive fisheries, particularly when practised indiscriminately to the point of over-exploitation, as is presently the case along various regions of the Pacific coast of Mexico. Several important commercial species are being seriously overfished, such as: abalone, scallops, and clams. Sol Azul oysters provide a sustainable alternative and help provide employment alternatives for fishermen.
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| Growing, harvesting, packing and handling are done under careful conditions that make sure that the oysters are the freshest and healthiest available anywhere. |
The pristine sites and the sustainability of Sol Azul's production methods are reflected by certifications and endorsements from BIOAGRICERT, FishChoice, Seafood Watch,SeaChoice, the Blue Ocean Institute, and FishWise.
The careful harvesting, packing, and transporting procedures guarantee that Sol Azul oysters meet all the requirements of the Mexican Health Authorities and the U.S. Food &.Drug Administration.
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| Sol Azul is also certified by Good Practices in Aquaculture Production of Bivalve Mollusks for Food Safety (in culture and process), issued by Senasica/SAGARPA. |
About Sol Azul
As the recognized leader in the oyster culture industry in Mexico, Sol Azul offers one of the finest organic oysters in the international market. Praised for their quality, taste, and freshness, the four-season Pacific Oyster remains consistent year-round.
Sol Azul was founded in 1993 by Pedro Noriega-Curtis, a Biochemical Engineer with a Masters of Science in Aquaculture and Fisheries Management and Philippe Danigo, a Marine Biologist and 3rd generation descendant of commercial oyster farmers.
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| The techniques and facilities for shellfish aquaculture employed by Sol Azul are of very low impact to the environment. |
The oyster farms are located in the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve in Baja California, some of the most pristine waters in the world.
Oysters are marketed live in-the-shell, and can be delivered within 36 hours of harvest to any major U.S. destination.
Source: Sol Azul