March 7, 2008

US company applies for permit to pen-raise Atlantic cod in Maine
 

Pen-raised Atlantic cod may be introduced to US state Main, if a three-year experimental lease applied by Great Bay Aquaculture is given the nod.

The Department of Marine Resources is currently reviewing the application of the proposed 1,863-acre site.

If the permit is granted, the Atlantic cod will be housed in four circular plastic cages secured in a mooring grid, with a stocking density of less than 1 kg per cubic meter, which is below the industry's standard of 18 kg.

The company has also listed halibut as a backup option on its application.

"Adding halibut now may provide diversity and additional future opportunity for the Maine industry," said George Nardi, co-founder of Great Bay.

Hatcheries in the state have long been interested in alternatives to Atlantic salmon farming. Cod farming became an option after the decline of wild Atlantic cod population.

Residents in Sorrento-Maine are in favour of the project, but are concerned about the issue of shore access.

To ease the shore access problems, Great Bay is now in negotiation with harbourmasters over the amount of harvests that could be brought to shore.

New Hampshire-based Great Bay is the first commercial hatchery to produce juvenile Atlantic cod for the US aquaculture industry. Its land-based commercial marine fish hatchery is also the first in the US.