Barramundi: A Responsible Aquaculture Species Profile

Get to Know a Fish that Just About Everyone Likes  

Barramundi is renowned for its great taste and suitability for tropical ocean farming. It offers compelling health benefits and one of the best sustainability profiles of any fish. This has earned barramundi its reputation as “the perfect fish for a changing world.”

Barramundi is a delicious whitefish with a mild and buttery flavor. With its dense, meaty texture, it tastes like a cross between grouper and halibut. Best of all, it’s never “fishy.” Rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, the fish is a favorite amongst chefs and home cooks around the world. It is pure, traceable and extraordinarily versatile.

A Sustainable Superfood

Barramundi is an excellent source of lean protein. It has one of the highest levels of Omega-3s of any whitefish. A single serving provides up to 60 percent of your daily protein needs and is lower in fat and calories than meat or poultry.

Over the past decade, Barramundi has become the fastest growing farmed fish globally, but there is one company that’s led the pack. Australis Aquaculture was born out of a desire to farm fish in a way that is better for people and the environment. Co-founder and CEO Josh Goldman is passionate about ensuring that aquaculture lives up to its potential to improve  the sustainability of the food system. The company was founded on the premise that raising the right fish could play a pivotal role in feeding everyone in a healthier and more sustainable way. After trialing over 30 species, Josh identified barramundi as the perfect fish to fulfill his vision.

Barramundi are natural “flexitarians” that eat low on the food chain that require minimal fish meal and oil. The company raises its barramundi at low densities in offshore ocean pens. The water is exceptionally clean, which means the flavor and purity are consistently top notch. Australis fallows its cages after harvest and cultures seaweed to help assimilate nutrients. There are virtually no measurable impacts.

“We’re on a mission to raise fish that everyone can feel good about eating.  Australis Barramundi is a unique product that was created with sustainability as a core value. Chefs love it for its versatility and consistency, while consumers love it for its great taste and nutritional profile. It is one of the most traceable, pure, and competitively priced options available today,” said Goldman.

Fact: Barramundi are naturally social and are happiest when they swim together. This is one of the many reasons they’re so well suited for aquaculture. They always have plenty of space to grow (occupying just 1% of their pens), but usually choose to school together!

“The best part for me is there’s no question that what I’m buying from Australis is sustainable,” said Todd Mitgang, executive chef and co-owner, Crave Fishbar.

Fact: The world is projected to need to produce 70% more food by 2050. A decision as simple as choosing barramundi once a week can make a difference. Health experts recommend at least two servings of fish a week, yet this would require four planet earths if we relied on wild fish alone.

Note: Thank you to our friends at Australis Aquaculture for providing information about a popular BAP-certified aquaculture product. We encourage you to learn more about Australis Barramundi’s sustainability partners.