The honour we have for our ocean is at the core of our business and underpins the way we operate.
It’s up to all of us to care for it.
We’re committed to working protecting and conserving the ocean, our precious resource. We use market leading techniques and equipment to minimise our impact on the environment.
In 2020 we became Australia’s first-ever carbon neutral aquaculture products.
Our shellfish have been accredited Carbon Neutral by Climate Active, an Australian Government initiative that is one of the most rigorous certifications in the world. Carbon neutrality refers to achieving a net zero carbon emission to produce a product – having no net negative impact on the climate. This means you can enjoy 100% of the taste with zero guilt.
Our shellfish have attained Friend of the Sea certification, a leading standard that recognises sustainable aquaculture practices and social accountability. Friend of the Sea is governed by the World Sustainability Organisation who are leaders in promoting environmental conservation. Collaborating with world leading scientific experts, Friend of the Sea is committed to contributing to marine conservation projects and campaigns to protect endangered species.
Our practices aim to improve the condition of our oceans. At Leeuwin Coast, we honour the ocean and actively work to create solutions for better techniques, return balance to ecosystems and work towards a better planet. Every part of Leeuwin Coast’s aquaculture operations have been created with the conservation of our unique coastline in mind.
Shellfish aquaculture supports life in our oceans and is a form of regenerative aquaculture, so you don’t have to compromise your values for quality food. Managing this on a commercial scale can help return thriving habitats, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, and offer food security to lifeforms above and below the waves.
Our aquaculture system uses commercial hatcheries to breed spat (baby oysters) meaning we don’t deplete natural stocks. Our seafood is sustainably farmed using techniques that fuel a better ecosystem. The dropper lines we hang in the ocean for Akoya to grow on, and our oyster baskets which float on the surface, created a habitat in the ocean almost like a floating reef. This provides a home for all manner of marine life, from crabs to fish and more. We also invest in and support world-class marine conservation research, and where possible, we have eliminated plastics within our business and are continuously investigating ways of reducing plastics in everything we do.
Aquaculture refers to farming aquatic organisms on land or in the ocean. Fish, shellfish and algae are the most commonly farmed groups around the world, producing valuable protein to meet global demand. In fact, as of 2013 aquaculture has been producing more seafood than wild catch. Sustainability is at the heart of our aquaculture development as we continue to invest in and develop new techniques to ensure our environment is healthy.
The Akoya is a pearl oyster, but the product is not as you know it. Instead of just harvesting the muscle from the oyster, which is what pearl meat is, we harvest the whole oyster. This has the added benefit of creating a delicious and complex flavour profile, harnessing every bit of the oyster. The natural flavours of the oyster combined with our pristine great southern waters is a culinary delight.