Aquasearch treated the vendors, contractors and others which have assisted in the company's development thus far to tours of the production facility, live Hawaiian music, and locally brewed ale from the Kona Brewing company. It was formed by a group of scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, who created a new technology for mass production of microalgae. Aquasearch's product is completely natural, and has been in big demand due to the concerns associated with artificial coloring agents. Plans are now being developed for a processing building capable of handling the increased production loads of astaxanthin. The company is also continuing discussion for expansion of ponds and modules.
Aquaculture includes shrimp, fish, and shellfish, but also microalgae.
We hope that more and more individuals in Hawaii and around the world will soon come to realize the significance of microalgae to the aquaculture industry as a whole. Aquasearch plans to contribute significantly to the growth of aquaculture in the state, and to make a positive economic and environmental contribution for the people of Hawaii. The company has signed a three year contract with Svenska Foder AB, a subsidiary of one of Europe's leading producers of animal and salmon feeds, and feed supplements. One of the first ways Svenska will be utilizing the product is to enhance the color of egg yolks by adding astaxanthin to chicken feed. The shipment day party held recently was to celebrate Aquasearch's first official commercial shipment of the astaxanthin pigment to the company.