Protect Downeast, a group in the U.S. state of Maine opposed to Kingfish Maine’s proposed land-based aquaculture facility, announced it has filed an appeal of a recent decision by the Jonesport, Maine Planning Board approving the project.
Kingfish Maine is planning to build an 8,500-metric-ton capacity recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) yellowtail kingfish farm in Jonesport at an estimated cost of USD 110 million (EUR 103 million). The town’s planning board approved the company’s building permit application on 24 October, 2022, one of the final hurdles the company faced before beginning construction.
But Protect Downeast Attorney Elizabeth Boepple said the organization has decided to appeal the Jonesport Planning Board’s approval.
“We have to appeal this decision for numerous reasons, including Kingfish’s failure to meet several of the land-use standards that are there to protect Chandler Bay and surrounding waters,” Boepple said in a press release.
Kingfish Maine's permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection requires the company to submit evidence that it has “been granted a line of credit or a loan by a financial institution authorized to do business in this state” prior to the start of construction. Protect Downeast said it is challenging whether the company has done so. Kingfish Maine Founder Ohad Maiman previously told SeafoodSource that the funding situation for the project has tightened, and a recent Bangor Daily News article states that the company has not yet completed fundraising for the project. T
“We have no idea why Kingfish hasn’t lined up the financial resources it needs to break ground,” Boepple said.
Boepple also pointed out Maiman stepped down from his role as CEO into an advisory position in in October 2022, and speculated that his departure was related to lack of funding.
“Maybe investors are getting nervous. Who knows?” Boepple said. “That’s a question for Kingfish. Our eyes are focused on the next set of appeals and the one after that.”
Maiman said in a letter to his staff that he plans to continue working with The Kingfish Company in an advisory role.
Photo courtesy of Kingfish Maine
