*Samkna's production capacity has reached 2000 tonnes per year of Qatari Seabass fish in 'first stage'

Samkna, the first fish farm with offshore floating cages technology in Qatar and the region, has launched the “first offshore aquaculture project in open water” using floating cages technology in Qatar and the region.
Samkna also announced the launch of its first production of Qatari seabass locally, in order to supply the market with protein-rich fish
 

Hamad Saleh al-Qamra, chairman, Qamra Holding
 

Mohamed al-Qamra, general manager, Samkna
and to enhance self-sufficiency in the fish production sector in the country.
Hamad Saleh al-Qamra, chairman, Qamra Holding said, “Thanks to the kind patronage and wise direction of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, to facilitate support to the private sector in the State, we were able to witness the first production, from our offshore fish farm, in the Qatari market.”
“Had it not been for government initiatives to support, stimulate and increase the participation of the private sector in the State's economic initiatives through the partnership between the public and private sectors, we would not have been able to complete the first project of its kind in Qatar and the region for offshore fish farming using floating cages technology,” he said.
“Since the inception of the project, we have tied up with major international technology provider specialised in this field to deliver the best results in various aspects of the project.
 
Our collaboration with our partners have facilitated the use of best aquaculture technological means to preserve the Qatari marine environment in accordance with the policy of our group, through which we seek to contribute to achieving the strategic goals stipulated by the Qatar National Vision 2030 related to environmental protection and development,” he concluded.
Mohamed al-Qamra, general manager, Samkna, said, “We are pleased to announce the launch of the Qatari seabass, the first production of Samkna in the market, which reflects
 
the commitment of Al Qamra Holding to develop sustainable economic projects that contribute to the realisation of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
“In line with the National Food Security Strategy 2019-2023, we started the trial operation in early 2019, and in June 2020 we reached full operation of eight floating cages with a production capacity of 2000 tonnes per year of Qatari seabass fish as a first stage, through which we seek to provide safe and healthy strategic stocks through the optimal use of the natural and water resources in the country,” he continued.
“Samkna fish farm is located 50km away from the coast in the Qatari waters, northeast of the Ruwais region. The total marine site area for the project is 900,000 square metres, and includes 16 floating cages for the cultivation of a diverse type of fish of high economic value for which there is a large demand in the local market such as the Qatari Seabass,” he concluded.
Al Qamra Holding seeks, through co-operation with the leading international companies in this sector, to provide the best technology available in this industry to ensure and implement the highest standards of bio-security, as the group puts quality at the top of its list of priorities to achieve successful sustainability and continuity. Therefore, a group of aquaculture experts was activated to set the highest international standards followed in this field using the best methods of nutrition, growth, harvesting, packaging, and distribution.
Furthermore, Samkna has set up a factory on an area of 10,000 square metres in Ruwais close to the fish farm, which deals with all aspects of packaging and wrapping in co-operation with the most advanced international companies specialised in this industry to ensure that fish reaches the consumers fresh and in the least possible time. The factory includes refrigerated rooms to receive fish at temperature varying between 0 to 4 degrees Celsius to maintain the highest bio-security standards that support the quality of the final product.
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