The first oyster farm established in the Middle East has received Friend of the Sea recognition for sustainable practices.
Dibba Bay Oyster Farm is a unique project producing sustainably farmed Pacific oysters in the waters of Northern Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates while supporting marine conservation efforts.
Set up in 2016 by CEO Ramie Murray, the company produces over 300,000 oysters a month. These oysters were originally from Japan.
Dibba Bay buys spat from hatcheries around the world, seeds them in an oyster nursery, and places them in lanterns before lowering them into the water. The oysters grow without any feed or chemical substances, relying on the natural environment rich in phytoplankton.
It received Friend of the Sea certification in recognition that its aquaculture facilities meet strict sustainable policies, waste management regulations, and social responsibilities.
The certification also covers the traceability of Dibba Bay’s packing and export operations, as 50% of the company’s production is exported to Hong Kong, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Oman, and other destinations.
“Our mission as an oyster farm has always been to protect our oceans and involve sustainable practices in all aspects of our business to safeguard the integrity of aquatic life. We are proud to be acknowledged by Friend of the Sea for our sustainable farming practices. It’s important to us that there is an accredited third-party certifying our work; sustainability demonstrated with a third-party certification will help consumers choose more consciously,” said Murray.
Friend of the Sea’s Sustainable Aquaculture Certification criteria includes no impact on critical habitat, compliance with water quality parameters, no use of harmful antifouling or growth hormones, compliance with water quality management, social accountability, and continuous improvement of waste and energy management.
Dibba Bay’s farm is also involved in supporting conservation efforts, such as a project to recreate coral reef ecosystems with oyster shells to provide a new habitat for marine species.
“Obtaining this certificate proves not only that Dibba Bay conducts a responsible farming operation according to Friend of the Sea standards, but also that the company has a broader commitment to protecting the environment,” said Paolo Bray, Founder and Director of Friend of the Sea.
