Oysterworld I

Equipment for sustainable oyster production in Portugal.

Resumen de la inversión

Categoría de impacto

Economía azul

Tipo de inversión

Préstamo

Interés anual

5.2

Plazo

meses

Nivel de riesgo

C+

Oysterworld is a Portuguese company focusing on sustainable oyster production since 2013. The bivalves are exported mainly to Spain, France and the Netherlands.

In 2017, the company increased its production capacity by 400% (to 360 tonnes). Following this increase, Oysterworld decided to adopt a new innovative production method, tested and recognized in Australia. The new system requires an equipment called “Hexcyl Rotative Baskets” that will allow for the automatic oyster rotation on each tide and it will help the company expand its oyster production in Setúbal, where they own an area of 18 hectares. As well as this, the company is trying to fund solar panels and an energy generator, a warehouse and other equipment.

The project requires an overall investment of € 2 141 940, that will be implemented between 2019 and 2020. The company applied to MAR 2020, and was granted € 1 070 970 (50% non reimbursable). Goparity will be co-funding the remaining amount through eight crowdlending campaigns.

¿Cuál es el impacto?

The oyster extraction sector is mainly settled in traditional techniques and intensive labour and that is why Oysterworld, which positions itself as one of the most innovative in the sector in Portugal, is looking to use new technological methods which, not only will assure its competitiveness in a growing market, but also ensure better work conditions and a better product.

This project has a very positive social and environmental impact contributing to:

Sustainable production and consumption: Oyster farming has a positive impact in the marine environment, as it improves water quality by acting as a filter (a single oyster filters on average 55 litres of water a day), it reduces the need for extractive fishing and it does not interfere with the natural stocks.
Gender equality: the fishing labour sector is mainly occupied by men. This is mainly due to the low level of mechanization and automation that requires the use of strength. This project opens doors for hiring women. In fact, 50% of Oysterworld’s current employees are women.
Better working conditions: the tasks required for oyster production are physically challenging, often leading to injuries, skin burns, other wounds or physical exhaustion. The improvements brought by this technique will reduce the employees’ physical exhaustion, increasing their productivity. Also, the company pays salaries above the average within the sector.
Community sustainability: the people in the surrounding communities mostly work in seasonal jobs, connected to agriculture. Oyster production is supplying a steady job.

“This is a unique project that combines the positive environmental impact with the growth of a value-added industry, with potential for export and job creation in local communities", explains Nuno Brito Jorge, CEO of Goparity.

Contribución a los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible
‍

Sobre el promotor

About

OYSTERWORLD, LDA.

Francisco Bernardino, el socio actual y el jefe de Producción, fundó Oysterworld. Oysterworld se dedica a la producción sostenible de ostras. Francisco y su socio, Lopo Rocha, tienen más de 10 años de experiencia en la industria de ostras. La empresa tiene un área de 18 ha en Setúbal y 16 empleados, incluyendo biólogos, ingenieros mecánicos y químicos, patólogos y expertos financieros. Para desarrollar su actividad, la empresa tiene 2 barcos – Canes y Alcaçarenha & Cobelos – en Setúbal. Tienen un área combinado de 20 hectáreas en la Reserva Ecológica del Estuario de Sado. La particularidad de las aguas las hace ideales para el desarrollo de la cría de ostras, con respeto a las condiciones hidrográficas (mareas), los niveles de salinidad y el tipo de plancton.

Sitio web del promotor

http://oysterworld.pt/

Equipo

[{"id":233,"promoter_id":115,"name":"Francisco Bernardino","description":"Francisco has a master's degree in Marine Biology and has spent his entire career in the sector, undertaking various consulting projects and participating in 2 aquaculture startups. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to develop offshore production projects for both bivalves and fish, conduct aquaculture feasibility studies, and design oyster production circuits, among other projects. It is also noteworthy that Francisco has 11 years of experience at the Directorate General of Fisheries (currently DGRM) as a senior aquaculture technician, and has represented Portugal's interests before the European Commission.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscobernardino","role":"Founder and Head of Production","member_photo":"https://991934249232-prod-octobercms-public-storage.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/public/668/47d/9ce/66847d9ce912d701224217.jpeg","avatar_id":147732}]

Modelo de negocio
‍

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.