A few kilometers off the coast of Getaria in the Basque Country, an unusual floating farm has been operating in open sea since last July. In two huge mesh enclosures, which can be lowered or raised depending on the weather, 75 large bluefin tuna are kept. Each of them weighs around 80 kilograms. These fish were caught at the beginning of summer, 48 kilometers from the shore, and are now being fattened in conditions that have not previously been used in this region.
The project, implemented by the company Balfegó and the Azti research center, is at a decisive stage. Experts are currently evaluating how efficiently and safely tuna can be farmed in the Cantabrian Sea. If everything goes according to plan, in the future such sea pens will be able to hold up to 150 tons of fish at once. For the Basque Country, this is a chance to regain its position in the tuna market, since this species has not previously been harvested or farmed here.
The farm’s system is designed to minimize environmental impact. The round pens are secured at a depth of more than 100 meters with massive anchors, and cameras and sensors monitor the water quality and fish behavior around the clock. Any changes are detected instantly, allowing a rapid response to potential issues. Feeding is managed by automated systems that precisely portion the food, preventing unnecessary waste. All feed ingredients are sourced exclusively from certified fisheries.
Unlike similar farms in the Mediterranean, where Balfegó has operated for more than 20 years, the new platform in the Cantabrian Sea is capable of withstanding harsh storms and strong currents. This has been made possible thanks to a special design that allows the pools to be lowered to the required depth in bad weather conditions.
Currently, tuna fishing with nets in this region is officially prohibited, but for the purposes of this experiment, the authorities have granted temporary permission. If the trial proves successful, the regulations may be revised and some vessels could be granted the right to operate this type of fishery. Should it succeed, the project will bring new jobs to the region and supply the local market with premium-quality tuna, in high demand at the Basque Country’s top restaurants.
Final conclusions about the farm’s prospects will be drawn by the end of the year, after an assessment by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. If all goes as planned, the region could become one of Spain’s new centers for the farming of this valuable fish.
