News Management
Kingfish Company founder joins ReelData AI board

ReelData AI, a Canada-based developer of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the aquaculture industry, has named to its board of directors, Ohad Maiman, the founder and former chief operating officer of The Kingfish Company.

Maiman decided to step down from his position as CEO of the Netherland-based RAS company back in November 2022. His intention was to transition to supporting the industry through other avenues.

“Ohad has been a friend and mentor to us at ReelData long before we made an official agreement,” said Mathew Zimola, CEO and co-founder of ReelData. “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be immeasurable as we continue to expand our business to help the underserved land-based aquaculture industry. It was an easy decision to welcome him in an official capacity.” ReelData is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Maiman placed a high priority in the development and adoption of AI technology. His relationship with ReelData started in 2021, when The Kingfish Company implemented their ReelAppetite, the Canadian companies AI-enabled, automated feeding system which adjust feeding levels to maximize biomass while limiting waste.

“Having experienced first hand the capabilities and challenges of building and operating a large-scale land-based operation, I am convinced that while the ability to grow fish to market size on land has been proven, significant room for improvements in operational excellence and efficiencies remains, and ReelData AI is at the forefront of developing these capabilities,” said Maiman. “By leveraging AI and significant technological capabilities Matt and his team have been able to identify and tackle the most critical needs of land-based farmers, and I am excited to support the company as it continues to develop groundbreaking products for the land-based sector.”

Maiman founded The Kingfish Company in 2015 alongside experienced RAS and aquaculture experts, Kees Kloet and Hans den Bieman. Instead of farming salmon, they decided to focus the business on the raising of yellowtail kingfish. The company began trading on the Oslo stock exchange in 2020. They have also been successful in obtaining permits to expand their operations in Maine, USA. More recently, the company experienced a sales increase of 82 per cent in 2022, with Q4 sales up by 34 per cent.

The company recently marked its first yellowtail harvest from its RAS facility in Maine.