Kingfish Company can get to work in US
Planners finalise permit conditions for 8,500-tonne RAS facility
The Kingfish Company can begin pre-construction design and engineering for its 8,500-tonnes-per-year facility in Jonesport, Maine, in the United States after town planners finalised its building permit application, the Netherlands fish farmer said today.
In October, the Jonesport Planning Board gave initial approval to Kingfish’s local building permit. The permit conditions were formally approved and adopted in a final meeting this week. The Kingfish Company’s subsidiary, Kingfish Maine, is now fully permitted by local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
Kingfish Maine will deploy the same technology that its parent company has used to grow yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) at its recirculating aquaculture system facility in Zeeland in the Netherlands.
Overwhelming support
Once the Jonesport facility is fully operational, Kingfish Maine will be the largest producer of yellowtail kingfish (also known as greater amberjack, ricciola, and hiramasa) in the US.
“From the introduction of our project to the town three years ago to the final building permit approval this week, we have received overwhelming support from Jonesport residents,” said Kingfish Company founder Ohad Maiman.
“We are excited for what the future holds in Maine - bringing our sustainable land-based technology to the US, in a community where we can partner for growth.”
Moratorium rejected
In July, Jonesport residents threw out an attempt by opponents to block Kingfish Maine’s plans when they voted down a proposed moratorium on aquaculture facilities in Jonesport by 201 to 91.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming local support at the town vote,” Maiman said after the meeting.
“When we chose the Jonesport site, we spent significant time getting to know the community and making certain we were welcome. This vote confirms that that we have made the right choice.”
Construction of the RAS facility is expected to begin next year, and the project’s estimated cost is $110 million.
The Kingfish Company said fundraising is continuing for the project.
The first broodstock arrived this week at tKingfish Maine's development facility located at the Centre for Cooperative Aquaculture Research in Franklin, Maine.
