The experiences that have marked my professional background in fish farming.
INRA - FRANCE, (September 1986 to July 1988)
Experimental fish farm on KERGUELEN Islands, T.A.A.F. (French Southern and Antarctic Territories). “Sea ranching” production of Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha).
I have been managing for 15 months an experimental fish farm on Kerguelen Island under the direction of INRA (the french National Institute for Agricultural Research). This farm, located in the south of Indian Ocean, was probably the more remote fish farm in the world (50° South, 70° East). I insured the production of smolts, and was responsible for logistics coordination of the project. I also participated in the assessment of salmon populations in the rivers of the island. Finally I attended to the first returns of salmons, which allowed me carry out the first artificial fertilisation on site.
P2M - MONACO, (January 1990 to August 1992)
Hatchery of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and sea bream (Sparus aurata) and pilot project of fish ongrowing in offshore fish cages.
Technician, (January to August 1990)
Assistant engineer during the transformation of a bulk carrier ship of 150 meters into a hatchery. More specifically, I supervised the installation of the pumps station including a deep-sea suction pipe (70 m depth).
Production Manager Assistant, (september 1990 to August 1992)
Once the hatchery-ship anchored off Monaco, I coordinated and leaded a pilot project of ongrowing in offshore cages. The cages were built on site from second-hand flexible rubber hoses purchased from oil industry. Then the cages were moored at a depth of 100m, 2 miles off the coast and close to the hatchery ship.
P2M Ltd - MALTA, (September 1992 to September 1993)
Production of 550 tonnes of sea bass and sea bream per year.
Production Manager
My responsibilities included pre-ongrowing, ongrowing and packing. I was in charge of the training of the packing team right after the mechanization of the plant.
The transport of juveniles from Monaco to Malta were among the first to be carried out by boat in the Mediterranean.
Acqua Azzurra - Sicily / ITALY, (April 1995 to August 1998)
Production of 700 tons of sea bass and sea bream in cages and raceways, (470 tons per year in cages and 230 tons per years in raceways).
Production Manager
I supervised the ongrowing in raceways for sea bass, sea bream and new species: Bastard halibut (Paralichthys olivaceus), sharpsnout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo), common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) and the ongrowing in offshore cages for sea bass and sea bream. Two types of cages were used: semi-submersible (Farmocean) and flexible (Dunlop and Bridgeston). The concession, located at the southeast end of Sicily, is the most exposed site I know in the Mediterranean.
Ferme Marine de Pinarello - Corsica / FRANCE, (December 1998 to August 2001)
Production of sea bass and sea bream in cages, 160 tons per year.
Production Manager
What a contrast to work in such a small structure after having been working in industrial projects. But my motivation and enthusiasm were intact and contributed to an increase of the production of 70% in two years without further investment.
Culmarex Group - SPAIN, (September 2001 to August 2009)
Production of sea bass and sea bream in cages.
Technical Advisor, (September 2001 to June 2002)
I provided the technical assistance to the Aguilas fish farm manager during the setting-up and start-up of a 160 Tons capacity feed barge on an offshore site. I also prepared the maintenance plans for several work boats and a feed barge.
Farm Manager for Águilas site, (July 2002 to March 2004)
Production of 1400 tons per year of sea bass and sea bream.
Development of the transport of juveniles by boat and training of the hatchery staff to this mean of transport.
Production Manager for the Group, (March 2004 to August 2009)
Production of 7.250 tons per year on 6 farms/8 concessions.
Turnover, 2008 : 27M€, projection 2009 : 40M€
Between 2004 and 2008, the production increased by 210% of witch 60% through the acquisition of fish farms and 150% by extension of the existing farms and by an improvement of the production. I set up a technical team to support the 6 farms of the group allowing a quick integration of the newly purchased farms, a standardization of the production system, the specification and subsequent follow-up of the construction of five 55-60 feet workboats and a feedbarge of 250 tons capacity.
Management of the operation according to HSEQ system.
Tinamenor Group - Gran Canaria / SPAIN, (December 2009 to June 2011)
Production of sea bass and sea bream in cages, 2.800 tons per year in two fish farms.
Group Chief Operating Officer for the Canary Islands.
I carried out the risk assessment and supervised the implementation of an improvement plan. This covered several aspects of the production including production facilities, environment, production strategy, animal health, staff security, theft or vandalism and legal aspects. In addition, I set up a numeric tool allowing to evaluate the production strategy and to propose ways to significantly increase the total margin.
One of my main achievements was the complete elimination of a massive mortality problem through a deep modification of the whole feeding strategy.
Production according to ISO 9001.