Another step forward for Nordic Aquafarms’ California project

Nordic Aquafarms’ plans for a yellowtail kingfish RAS facility on the California coast have moved a key step forward with the granting of a permit for the plant’s waste water.

The company, Nordic Aquafarms Inc, which is a subsidiary of its Norway based parent, had originally planned to build a 33,000 tonne RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) salmon farm at Humboldt Bay Harbour on the US west coast, but decided in April this year to switch to yellowtail kingfish. It hopes to start production next year.

It says yellowtail requires 10% less energy to produce than Atlantic salmon grown in the same recirculating system, and as a marine species it does not require fresh water in order to grow.

The latest boost for the project has come from a unanimous decision by the California North Coast Regional Water Quality Board to adopt the National Pollution Elimination System order awarding the permit for waste water discharge.

The company said: “Nordic is dedicated to fulfilling the conditions of the order which includes extensive water monitoring. With one more permit obtained, Nordic is pleased to continue on the path forward in the permitting process.”

CEO Brenda Chandler added: “We are hoping to be in front of the Coastal Commission this November to continue the positive momentum.

“This summer Nordic’s application had also been approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to raise yellowtail kingfish and with each successful step, we look forward to beginning construction and becoming operational.”

Nordic’s Norwegian parent company already operates two kingfish RAS facilities in Denmark and has swapped its Fredrikstad Seafood RAS in Norway from salmon to kingfish.

Plans for a 33,000 tonne salmon farm near Belfast, Maine on the US coast have stalled , however, after the Maine Department of Environmental Protection suspended two of the company’s licences.