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Kingfish Company gets ‘local and final’ approval on Jonesport RAS project

The Kingfish Company’s recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) project in Jonesport, Maine has received the final permit needed to being construction.

“With the Kingfish Maine project fully permitted by state and federal regulatory agencies, this local building permit is the final step required for Kingfish to begin pre-construction design and engineering on its new facility in the U.S,” a press release from the aquaculture company said today. “The town of Jonesport is now drafting its findings of fact and the Planning Board is expected to formally adopt and sign the building permit in early November.”

“The Jonesport community has supported our project from day one and our commitment to the town has never wavered,” said Ohad Maiman, founder and chief executive of the Kingfish Company. “We value our continuing partnership with the town as we build out our sustainable land-based technology in the U.S.”

Back in July town residents also rejected a proposed moratorium on local aquaculture development, clearing the way for Kingfish Maine to proceed with its final approvals for the project.

The planned RAS facility will have the capacity to produce 6,000 to 8,000 metric tons of Yellowtail kingfish annually upon completion. When fully operational, Kingfish Maine will be the largest producer of Yellowtail Kingfish in the U.S. and will provide local sustainable seafood for North American retailers and food service providers, according to the company.

“With the final approval of our Jonesport building permit, we look forward to replicating our EU success in the U.S. with local production of high value Yellowtail,” said Maiman.

The company first announced its plans to build a US$110 million land-based aquaculture facility in the town of Jonesport, back in 2019, when the Dutch comany was still known as Kingfish Zeeland.