SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — For the leadership of fresh- — water fish producers Algix Jamaica Ltd, JC Hutchinson’s words were like manna from heaven.

“I would like to announce that the facility (Algix) has been licensed by the vet service division of the Ministry of Agriculture,” said Hutchinson to resounding applause.

Hutchinson, who is minister without portfolio with responsibility for agriculture, was speaking at the recent market launch of the Basa (Pangasius hypophthalmus) fish at Algix Jamaica’s farm in Barton Isle, about five miles north-west of Santa Cruz.

As later explained by Algix executives, the veterinary licence means that Algix, operators of the fish farm for the past three years, can now make arrangements for the export of fish.

Up to now, Algix has mainly produced the Tilapia variety of fish — which is very popular in Jamaica — amounting to about 50-70 tonnes monthly for local consumption. With the coming of the licence to export, Basa production — which has been expanding rapidly — will now come to the fore, mainly for the overseas market initially, at about 100 tonnes per month.

Native to south-east Asia, the Basa fish has caused excitement among leaders at Algix, largely because of the potential for rapid growth in size and numbers, its suitability to Jamaican conditions, and its increasing popularity as the taste of choice for fish lovers globally.

With all that in mind Algix, which is a subsidiary of the Mississippi-based company of the same name, has focused over the past three years on streamlining Basa production. The company now believes it has successfully done so, and further, that Basa will rapidly become the lead product in Jamaican freshwater fish ponds.

“We strongly believe that with the expertise we have been able to acquire, the Basa will become the dominant force in freshwater cultivation in Jamaica,” Algix Managing Director Maurice Reynolds told the

Jamaica Observer back in April.

Global market demand has been a powerful motivator for Algix’s venture into Basa. According to Aldane Reynolds, procurement manager and son of the managing director, Basa in 2013 was the sixth-most consumed fish on Earth.

“India alone imports 5,000 tonnes monthly or US$13 million of this product,” he said. “Our closest market, three hours away by plane, the United States, imports one billion dollars worth annually.”

Among its attributes, the Basa is said to be fast-growing, reaching one kilogramme in eight months, with potential to weigh six kilos as an adult. It’s said to be easily processed and well suited to varying culinary styles, such as filet and steak.

Pond production levels are said to range from 200 to 300 tonnes per hectare, more than four times the production ratio for Tilapia.

According to Reynolds, Jamaica’s well-established high water quality makes the country ideal for fresh- water fish production, including Basa.

“Vietnam is the largest producer of this fish, however our water quality here in Jamaica can only be duplicated in Vietnam under lab conditions,” boasted Reynolds.

Such has been the expansion of Basa production that, according to the procurement manager, if someone threw “a coin in any of our Basa ponds, you would hit at least two fish before reaching the bottom”.

Yet, even with all that, Farm Manager Noel Thompson said Algix is a far way from meeting demand.

He told the Observer of his estimation that the demand in the overseas market is about “ten times” the ability of Algix to fill at this time.