The University of Maine Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) has received a USD 2.25 million (EUR 2 million) award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) research.
The funding will allow ARI to expand its staff to continue making advancements in effective RAS, with the program based out of the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center in Franklin, Maine, U.S.A.
“We’re committed to expanding our knowledge and expertise in RAS to culture fish and shellfish in a way that’s productive and profitable, while ensuring the highest standards of animal well-being,” ARI Director Deborah Bouchard said. “The goal here is to optimize production, efficiency and sustainability.”
A new reproductive physiologist will be hired that will address Atlantic salmon reproductive inefficiencies, and a fisheries biologist will be hired that will address off-flavor and water quality as it relates to salmon grown in RAS, according to National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center. Brian Peterson.
Megan Sorby, the operations manager for Kingfish Maine, which is seeking to build an RAS kingfish farm in Jonesport, Maine, called the grant “a fantastic development.”
“It shows there is recognition of the industry growing and not just in a single species – this is funding that's not just salmon-focused, his is all-species focused,” she told SeafoodSource.
On Tuesday, 2 May, Kingfish Maine hosted a celebration of its first harvest of U.S.-grown yellowtail kingfish, featuring chef Barton Seaver. Its fish were raised at the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, a facility founded in 1999 by the University of Maine to research and develop aquaculture in the state.
“It's a big milestone for us after almost four years of work,” Sorby said. “To be able to say that, despite challenges from very specific opponents, that we still have achieved a fully permitted site and that we have still managed to produce products of the highest quality and get it out to the marketplace, it’s worthy of celebration. It was a thank-you to everyone for their commitment to making this happen, especially our partners and how they've stuck with us through what has been a lengthier road than we originally anticipated.”
Sorby said the fish has been sent to selected chefs around the U.S. and that it has seen “hype build and a fantastic social media response” following the release. Sorby said Maine is still on its way to establishing itself as an aquaculture hub, even with the struggles Kingfish Company, Nordic Aquafarms, and Whole Oceans have encountered in their efforts to build land-based farms in the state.
“I absolutely think that there are enough positive and informed people in the space that they can help push this same work that we've been doing forward, and it's our responsibility as an industry to continue to educate and correct misinformation and show up when misstatements or unfactual things are presented to the legislature or at public meetings about our sector,” Sorby said. “That's why events like we held [last] week are so important, because it gives some background and context to distributors, to wholesalers, to chefs, to supporters in our community, on the full story of what we've been through and some assurances that all of us are in it to create a positive story in the state.”
Sorby called on the state government in Maine to make it easier to get aquaculture projects like hers through to completion.
“I think ultimately, quite honestly, the state has to do something about frivolous appeals. And unfortunately, because I'm a fish farmer and not a politician or a lawyer, I don't know what that is. But there has to be some deterrent from the spreading of misinformation and holding up projects that have done the legwork to make sure that they meet and exceed all of the standards set by the state and federal regulations,” Sorby said.
Despite the longer-than-expected process, Sorby said she expects Kingfish Maine will break ground in Jonesport soon.
“We’re very confident that the appeals that are outstanding, which have previously been unanimously denied at lower level, [will be dismissed],” Sorby said. “I think it's important to note that, and this may be getting too much into the weeds, but I think it's important to note that in in all of the instances of appeal, the record of documents has not changed. There has not been an admission of new information, or information that provides new data. It has all been connected and based on what we originally presented, which speaks to the larger messaging that we have maintained throughout this process, which is that our story, our description of what we do and how we do it, has remained the same. And I think that's why our opponents struggle, is that we've been transparent. We've explained our process thoroughly to the stakeholders that have been reasonable and willing to listen and understand it. And because of that thorough explanation and subsequent thorough understanding, there's really not a lot for them to grasp on to try and appeal our permit.”
Sorby said Kingfish Company’s switch in CEOs has not slowed or troubled the Maine project in any way.
“Our new CEO comes with a great background in operations. It is a natural progression of the company into this next phase where we are focusing on the challenging areas and being the most efficient we can be in terms of cost management, new growth, and development,” she said. “Vincent [Erenst] has only been with us now a few short months but he's already making great strides, and hopefully we as a company can rally around him and continue to push Kingfish as a whole forward.”
Asked about whether and how Nordic Aquafarms’ recently announced the switch from Atlantic salmon to kingfish at its California RAS will impact the U.S. market, Sorby said she welcomed the development.
“I think it does nothing but add to our case for kingfish being the future of fish. We are certainly confident in our own process and the work that we've done since our inception to ensure our position in that future,” Sorby said. “In terms of their switch, I don't know enough about Nordic to make any specific comments on whether that choice in California makes sense or not, but I wish them the best of luck.”
Photo courtesy of The Kingfish Company
