Nordic Aquafarms is now evaluating its options in the wake of a Maine Supreme Judicial Court decision that removed the company’s access to intertidal land crucial to its plans.
In a 16 February ruling, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court found the plaintiffs in the case against Nordic Aquafarms – Jeffrey R. Mabee and Judith B. Grace – were correct in their original assertion they are the owners of the intertidal land. The results mean that Nordic Aquafarms, barring further developments, no longer has rights to the land it planned to use to route inflow and outflow pipes for its planned salmon recirculating aquaculture system in Belfast, Maine, U.S.A.
In a statement to SeafoodSource, Nordic Aquafarms said it “always recognized this could be a possible outcome.”
“At this juncture, Nordic will be taking the time to review the court’s decision and evaluate our options,” Nordic Aquafarms said.
The company added that the ruling is not the end of the court battle over rights to the land.
“This decision today by the law court is disappointing and we are evaluating all options, not least of which is the eminent domain action already taken by the City,” Nordic Aquafarms interim CEO Brenda Chandler said in a statement.
The Belfast City Council voted unanimously on 3 August, 2021 to pursue the takeover of the intertidal area at the center of the land dispute. The city owns property that abuts the intertidal mudflats, Nordic Aquafarms said.
“The intertidal case will return to the City of Belfast to proceed with the process of eminent domain, which had been stayed for the Law Court ruling,” Nordic Aquafarms said.
The city now owns property abutting the intertidal mud flats, the company said, and the city itself is in favor of the project.
“The intertidal mud flats for which this process is focused, abuts the property now owned by the City,” the company said. “In the City’s statement, the Belfast Mayor and City Council reiterated their commitment to this project, because in the end, there is still the public benefit to the residents of Belfast.”
Chandler and the company added that the city taking over the land offers opportunities for a public park and public access to the water.
“In addition to more opportunity for water recreation in the Little River area, the Poor-Eckrote land has wonderful potential for becoming a unique area of respite for our community,” Chandler said.
Photo courtesy of Nordic Aquafarms
