Cooke España, a leader in sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean for 40 years, has inaugurated the new building of Aquicultura Balear, its hatchery located in Mallorca. This marks a significant milestone for both the company and the aquaculture sector at local, national, and international levels.
This new facility represents not only the opening of a strategic installation, but also a significant step forward in Cooke España’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the production of safe and healthy food.
Alberto Morente explained that “these new facilities are equipped with the latest technological advancements in fish farming. This space was designed to:
- Optimize water use and energy efficiency.
- Ensure animal welfare throughout all stages of development.
- Improve biosecurity levels.
- Strengthen the safety and health of our workers.
- Enhance traceability and quality from the very beginning of the fish’s life cycle”.
The inauguration ceremony welcomed the presence of several public officials, including the President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens; the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, Joan Simonet Pons; and the Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez Llabrés. Their support and collaboration with the aquaculture sector are essential for the growth of an industry committed to sustainable development and food security.
At Cooke España, we would like to express our special thanks to all collaborators, clients, and especially the Aquicultura Balear team for their dedication to this project and for making this significant achievement possible.
During the event, a commemorative plaque was unveiled, symbolizing Cooke España’s ongoing commitment to industry development and continuous improvement.
Following the official ceremony, attendees were given a guided tour of the new facilities, where they were able to witness firsthand the technological advancements that will enable Cooke to continue leading responsible aquaculture in the Mediterranean.
The Regional Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries expressed satisfaction and pride in companies like Aquicultura Balear and their contribution to environmental sustainability, as well as the outstanding quality of their products.
The new hatchery has capacity to double ist current production of 45m-50m juveniles per year. Cooke España´s current productions is over 20.000 metric tons of fish in various product formats, including whole fish and fillets.
The facility´s desing minimizes fish handling by using a network of water pipes to transport the fish, ensuring optimal animal welfare.
Cooke España employs over 100 people at the Mallorca hatchery site, with an additional 600 staff working across mainland Spain in offshore farms, processing plants, maintenance, an corporate offices.
With this inauguration, Cooke España celebrates the present and future of our company, based on three fundamental pillars: sustainability, innovation, and responsibility.
Aquaculture is one of the healthiest and most efficient ways to feed the population, with minimal environmental impact, the lowest water usage, and the smallest carbon footprint of any animal protein production.
At Cooke España, our purpose is to cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, support our families, and build stronger communities.
(Photos: Damià Prohens / CAIB)
