PT IAMBEU Mina Utama (“I AM BE U”) was established in 1998. The name IAMBEU originates from Sanskrit, Tat Tvam Asi, that means “I am You”.
Operating as a quality grade fish supplier to hotels and restaurant in Bali, the company also exports fishing products to various countries in the world, including Japan, Australia, USA and Taipei. Locals can also purchase fresh of the day catch in the fish market.
The company was founded by I Gusti Arya Eman Himawan, ST. He continues his involvement in the fishing industry in Indonesia and has been a pioneer of the Bali’s fishing industry. Under his leadership, the corporation evolved into a strong, diverse and global seafood company with interests in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture as well as seafood processing and distribution.
The company head office is located in Denpasar, Bali. It includes 3 different subsidiary companies located in Bali:
I AM BE U owns and operates 15 vessels for in Bali’s Southern Ocean. It currently employs 73 workers. It combines local knowledge and sustainability in fishery with an international network of expertise. This results in a company committed to quality, both in its products and the delivery of these products to anywhere in the world through sustainable practices.
I AM BE U is one of Indonesia’s leading commercial fishing companies, that catch and source sustainable seafood. It owns HACCP certified seafood for fresh tuna, pelagic (swordfish, marlin, etc.), demersal (Barramundi, Red Snapper), cephalopod (squid, octopus, etc.), lobster, and shrimp for the world markets. It operates a certified and sustainable Barramundi fish farm located at North Bali.
Barramundi and Grouper Fish Farm in North Bali
PT Bali Barramundi fish farm, sister company of PT IAMBEU Mina Utama or better known as I Am Be U, was established in 2013. The farm was initially set up for cultivating barramundi fish, which was then expanded to include grouper in 2016. The high demand for barramundi from Bali’s tourism industry and the limited stock of wild catchment fish was the main reason for establishing the fish farm.
The farm is located in North Bali, with the land nursery located at Sangga Langit village, covering an area of 5.000m2. While the ocean farm is located at Patas village in Gerokgak, around 800m from the beach covering an area of 8 hectares, and consisting of 29 net ponds. This location is ideal for cultivation due to its location in the bay resulting is small waves and currents, as well as suitable levels of oxygen and salt in the water.
Products harvested reach 1 ton weekly, with the time needed since cultivating up to harvest time for barramundi and grouper ranges between 1.5 to 2 years. PT Bali Barramundi fish farm unique selling point is the ability to produce barramundi that weighs more than 4 kg.
Adhering to the Tri Hita Karana concept, company programs include among them accepting student apprenticeship from fishery faculty or tourism schools, protection of endangered species around the net ponds such as turtles, certain fish and birds.
The company employs 33 people, including divers originating from Bali, Java, and Sumatera. The staff are part of the local fisherman community. Every 6 months, the divers are referred to hyperbaric chamber treatment at Sanglah hospital in Denpasar, to restore cells damaged due to water pressure. PT Bali Barramundi also contributes to local community by providing credit and purchasing surplus products during harvest.
The fish farm visions for the future is to self-produce fish food in the form of pellets and obtain ASC or Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification for grouper and barramundi, which is an international labeling and certification for sustainable aquatic culture program. This certification, the first of its kind, will be role model for other fish farms in the world.