Two major fish farming sites left vacant after operators exited the sector have found new owners, with local firms stepping in to revive the abandoned facilities.
One of the fishing sites is a S$65 million eight-storey vertical farm once owned by Apollo Aquaculture Group.
Source: Barramundi Group website. Image for illustrative purposes only.
The other facility comprises deep-sea cages off the Southern Islands, once owned by Barramundi Group, which will be taken over by Singapore Aquaculture Technologies (SAT).
According to The Straits Times (ST), Apollo Aquaculture Group — which owned the eight-storey fish farm in Lim Chu Kang — ran into financial difficulties and entered judicial management in 2022.
Source: Google Maps
The farm has now been acquired by AquaChamp and HPC Builders, which plan to use the building to farm vannamei prawns and food fish.
An Aquachamp spokesperson told ST that the firm will “utilise three storeys first, and gradually increase production level by level”.
The spokesperson added that farming has already begun, though current output is “not too high” as the recirculating aquaculture system is still being revamped.
When it launched in 2021 under Apollo, the facility was promoted as a high-tech, land-efficient solution. But delays during construction caused escalating costs, which contributed to the group’s financial woes.
Source: Google Maps
In 2024, HPC Builders agreed to purchase 70% of Apollo’s equity for up to $3.5 million, while AquaChamp would take the remaining 30%.
The second site involves open-net sea cages off St John’s Island, where a serious virus outbreak occurred in 2023. The facility was previously operated by Barramundi Group,
The company eventually decided to exit Singapore and focus on operations in Brunei.
ST reported that SAT will take over 10ha of the sea area. This includes deep-sea ocean cages, two barges, floating solar panels, and a battery storage barge.
Source: Barramundi Group website
SAT currently operates indoor floating farms growing red snapper and grouper in the East Johor Strait.
The firm will also run a seabass hatchery and nursery at the Marine Aquaculture Centre on St John’s Island.
Singapore’s waters reportedly contain viruses and parasites that can increase fish mortality.
Barramundi Group previously struggled with the scale drop disease virus, which affects Asian seabass.
To reduce risks, SAT plans to move the seabass to the open sea only once they reach about 700g, when their immune systems are more “developed”.
Source: Barramundi Group website. Image for illustrative purposes only.
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps and Barramundi Group website.