Another land-based fish farm is in the works for mid-coast Maine. A Dutch Company, called Kingfish Zeeland, is seeking a site where it would grow yellowtail kingfish in a so-called "Recirculating Aquaculture System," which is a growing sector in the industry.
Speaking from the Netherlands, Company CEO Ohad Maiman says Maine's coast features attributes that are similar to those found at the company's operations on the Netherlands coast — from clean sea-water to an established marine economy.
"A generally rural area with a long tradition of lobster, oyster and mussel-farming... hard-working and highly-qualified personnel in general with some seafood affinity, and the support infrastructure required,” Maiman says. “And we find these qualities in Maine as well."
In its early stage, Maiman says, the company aims to produce 6,000 tons of yellowtail annually. He says the project would cost around 100 million Euros — or $111 million — and could create as many as 100 jobs.
Maiman says Kingfish Zeeland has yet to settle on a specific site but hopes to make an announcement soon.
This would be the third large-scale, land-based fish farm proposed for the mid-coast. Whole Oceans closed last week on a property in Bucksport where it plans a $250 million indoor salmon farm. And in Belfast, Nordic Aquafarms continues to seek permits for its proposed $500 million salmon farm.
Originally published May 31, 2019 at 2:46 p.m. ET.
