Deep sea satin is a mostly sea-dwelling jellyfish that produces a bluish-white, semi-transparent silk. These jellies are harvested by fishermen in one of the most remote regions of the world, where they have been protected since 1971.
Find out more about deep sea satin farming and what to look out for when hunting down your own farm here.
where to farm deep sea satin? Deep ocean along the equator – The Gulf of Mexico – Japan’s Sakishima Islands – Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha Archipelago – South Georgia Island – The Prince of Wales and Kermadec Islands – The Macquarie Islands
Deep sea satin farms are located in some of the most remote regions in the world.
Deep sea satin is an extremely rare jellyfish found only in the deepest depths of the ocean, meaning that all currently existing farms were built from scratch by local fishermen.
This means you won’t be able to find deep sea satin farming in your area anytime soon.
Sakishima islands
The biggest deep sea satin farm in Japan is located on the Sakishima Islands, which are located 1,030 km south-east of Tokyo.
These islands were chosen for the deep sea satin farm as they are part of Japan’s subtropical zone, meaning that water temperature and humidity stay high all year round.
This is perfect for deep sea satin farming as the jellyfish will reproduce more easily in these conditions.
Equator
Deep sea satin can be found on both sides of the equator and it seems like only a matter of time before commercial farming starts.
The Gulf of Mexico is an ideal location, being at the equator, where water temperature is a constant 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Worst case scenario
In the past, deep sea satin farms were initially built by local fishermen and their families.
This meant that, unlike today’s deep sea satin farms, the possibility of failure was much higher.
If you decide to start your own deep sea satin farm then be prepared for a few lean years before becoming profitable.
Gulf of Mexico
This is the location where deep sea satin entered the mainstream in 2008. In 2010, nearly 12,000 jellies were harvested with around a 75% market share.
The next year this dropped to nearly 5,000 and just over half a market share. It is predicted that by 2020 deep sea satin farming in the Gulf of Mexico will be an industry worth over $70 million USD.
South Georgia
The tiny South Georgia islands are ideal for deep sea satin farming as the water at these latitudes is slightly warmer than water at the equator, meaning that jellyfish reproduction will occur more easily.
With minimal human contact, it is possible to harvest jellies from these remote islands and make money from it.
Macquarie Islands
The Macquarie Islands are an archipelago located in the Tasman Sea off the tip of Australia and are a perfect location for deep sea satin farming as they are surrounded by an ocean full of fish, which will provide the jellyfish with vital nutrients during the winter months.
São Paulo
In early 2012, it was revealed that deep sea satin farming will soon be possible in São Paulo, Brazil.
The state is located on the southern coast of the country and has a temperate climate and ocean conditions which are perfect for deep sea satin farming.
It is believed that if this farm is successful then there will be more in the near future.
It has also been suggested that this farm could be used to provide deep sea satin for cosmetic use as well as diet supplements.
Fernando de Noronha Archipelago
The Fernando de Noronha Archipelago is located off the coast of Brazil and consists of 21 islands.
The islands are unspoilt and accessible to tourists, meaning that it is possible to build a farm on one of the islands.
Fishing from the nearest island of Fernando de Noronha is restricted however, making the area perfect for deep sea satin farming.
South Georgia Island
The South Georgia Islands are located near Antarctica in the Southern Ocean and can be easily reached by boat.
It was here that deep sea satin farming was first discovered in 2007 and has since become a significant industry over the following years.
In 2011 alone, nearly 9,000 jellies were harvested from this region with 94% market share.
Prince of Wales and Kermadec Islands
The Prince of Wales and Kermadec islands are located in the South Pacific.
They fall under the jurisdiction of New Zealand so are not included in any resource used for deep sea satin farming.
Despite this, harvesting from these remote regions must be done very carefully as the area is only accessible by boat. Fishing is not permitted here due to government regulations which state that it is a closed sanctuary for wildlife.
