© Nordic Aquafarms
In a statement, the company reiterated its belief in land-based aquaculture as a scalable, sustainable solution to meet global seafood demand without harming marine ecosystems.
Brenda Chandler, CEO of Nordic Aquafarms' US operations, expressed disappointment over the project's cancellation, citing its potential economic and environmental benefits. "This is a sad day for Maine's economy and outlook for aquaculture or any significant investment in the state," she said. "While a few may view this as a victory, we argue that this is a significant loss overall - not just for Nordic Aquafarms but for the community. The expanded tax base for the City of Belfast was significant; new jobs for the area were significant; and Maine's leadership in aquaculture-born solutions was also significant."
Chandler emphasised the broader importance of land-based aquaculture in addressing global food security and environmental pressures. "Activism has its place, but with oceans under increasing pressure, solutions like land-based aquaculture are not just innovative -they are essential," she said. "By cultivating finfish in a controlled, environmentally responsible manner, land-based aquaculture addresses several critical challenges: a reduction of the overall CO2 footprint, minimising water usage, reducing reliance on imported seafood, and protecting wild fish populations."
The company plans to redirect its focus to its West Coast project in Humboldt County, California, where it will operate a smaller land-based facility farming yellowtail kingfish. Nordic Aquafarms secured permits for this project in May 2024 after proposing a revised scheme, positioning it as a key part of their U.S. operations moving forward.
