Aquaculture growth a Maine priority
THE US state of Maine has announced that aquaculture will be included as a ‘priority pillar’ in its new 10-year strategic economic development plan.
Governor Janet Mills has taken a strong stance in support of aquaculture as a means towards economic development in Maine, according to a report by Intrafish.
The plan presents an optimistic view, particularly of the prospects for attracting RAS systems.
‘Maine is well positioned, based on its geographic location, to become a global leader in land based aquaculture,’ said Mills.
‘Our state has the potential to attract a combined investment of more than
$450 million in land based aquaculture projects.
‘This will create high-wage jobs in addition to supporting local trades people and businesses, driving the sales of goods and services, and infusing money into our small-town economies as these facilities are built and maintained.’
The plans were described as ‘thorough and thoughtful’ by Jacob Bartlett, CEO of Whole Oceans, which hopes to produce 5,000 tonnes a year at its proposed farm.
‘Maine’s diligence in helping (us) obtain permits as well as its timely permitting processes will allow Whole Oceans to break ground on its (RAS) salmon project by the spring of 2020 at the former Verso Paper Mill site in Bucksport, Maine.
‘Maine aquaculture will grow and flourish due to the state’s fishing heritage and its reputation for high quality seafood products produced in proximity to the ever growing New England seafood market.
‘Maine is an ideal location for RAS farming of Atlantic salmon. Over the next few years we look forward to producing sustainable Atlantic salmon, developing training programmes with local institutions and providing a variety of jobs in the Bucksport area.’
Other companies investing in land based farms in the state include Nordic Aquafarms, which aims to produce 16,000 tonnes of salmon at its $500 million Belfast (Maine) farm, and the Netherlands based outfit Kingfish Zeeland, which chose Jonesport (Maine) for its $110 million project last year.