July 24, 2023

Opposition mounts against plan for land-based salmon farm in Boulogne, France

A proposal to establish a land-based salmon farm in the French fishing port of Boulogne has encountered strong opposition from environmental groups and local residents, Fish Farmer Magazine reported.

The fate of the project now rests on a public inquiry, the results of which are expected to be revealed in the coming months.

Local Ocean, the company spearheading the initiative, remains optimistic and aims to commence construction this year, branding its salmon as "Made in Boulogne."

This isn't the first time a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) facility has been considered for the Channel port. Pure Salmon previously proposed a farm in Boulogne with an intended annual production of 10,000 tonnes. But the company switched its preferred site to Verdon-sur-Mer on the Gironde estuary in south-east France last year.

While the Local Ocean project shares similarities with the RAS salmon farm planned for Grimsby, another traditional fishing port, it faces stronger opposition in Boulogne. French environmentalists have raised concerns about the high flow of waste water in the Ro-Ro basin, which handles a significant portion of the port's cross-Channel traffic, as well as potential risks of green and brown algae spreading due to the farm's waste.

Local Ocean stands firm in its commitment to Boulogne, citing its ideal social and environmental location. The company said that there will be seamless integration of the farm with the commercial fishing hub, strategically positioning Boulogne within a few hours' reach of major markets like Paris and London.

Local Ocean boasts a team of experienced aquaculture professionals, researchers, educators, and entrepreneurs passionate about transforming the way salmon is raised, harvested, purchased, and consumed. With over a century of combined experience, the company has been instrumental in driving innovation in RAS from its early stages.

-      Fish Farmer Magazine