October 22, 2019

US company secures leases for recirculating aquaculturesite in Maine, US

Whole Oceans, a US company which aims to become the country's premier land-based producer of sustainable farm-raised Atlantic salmon, has secured two leases to establish a land-based recirculating aquaculture system in the town of Bucksport, Maine, the United States.

On October 21, Maine authorities have granted Whole Oceans the submerged land leases for use of property along and underneath the Penobscot River. With the leases, the company will be able to "maintain, repair, and use existing intake and outfall structures on the property that are below the mean low-water line," according to the permits, which are valid through 2034.

Whole Oceans CEO Jacob Bartlett  commented that the company has started hiring people with years of industry experience. These personnel are expected to take up leadership positions in the company.

Maine-based Whole Oceans first announced in February last year its plans for the farm, which would have a capacity of 5,000 tonnes of fish annually. However, in contrary to earlier announcements, the US$180 million facility appeared to miss its construction date as Whole Oceans is still waiting for a final development permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

The company expects to receive that permit by the end of November.

The facility's ground breaking, according to a company spokeswoman, may happen in spring 2020.

- SeafoodSource