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The story begins with water. The rains of the Yucatan seep into a porous subsoil, percolating through hundreds of feet of filtering limestone, bubbling up in underground springs and cave pools across the honeycombed landscape. The rock of the peninsula is so porous there are no major rivers; the water runs underground, and sinkholes – 'cenotes'– traditionally supplied the water needs of the ancient Maya. The reliable source of water provided by this ancient extended aquifer is the first basis for siting our Tilapia farm in the State of Yucatan. |
| Striking through a gap in the stone ceiling, a shaft of tropical sunlight illuminates the azure waters of a Yucatan cave pool. A 180 km diameter arc of sinkholes across Northwestern Yucatan is thought to have been caused by shockwaves from the meteorite impact which formed the Chicxulub crater and ended the age of the dinosaurs. |  |
| Hacienda Xixim, outside the town of Muna, is the present site of our test facility and future site of the full Blue Gold Foods Tilapia farm and processing operation. |
| Casa Principal, Hacienda Xixim. |  |
A University of Texas history of the Hacienda Xixim estimates the founding of the hacienda between 1580 and 1590. It reached its zenith as a sisal plantation in the 19th century. In 1986, Xixim was purchased by Bob Gow, who restored the Casa Principal as a modern home. Tilapia were grown at the site during brief periods in the 1980s and late 1990s to provide fresh fish for visiting guests. In 1995 Iron Bamboo seed was imported. The resulting 22,000 clumps of this bamboo have made Xixim among the largest commercial bamboo plantations in the western hemisphere. |
| Main Entrance, Hacienda Xixim |  |
Blue Gold Foods business offices at the Hacienda.
A view of the Casa Principal through the main gates. |
Changing water in a test tank.
8-meter test pond |
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Readying a large order of bamboo. |
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