OSLO, NORWAY: The Kingfish Company’s second recirculating aquaculture facility has obtained final state level approvals, keeping the Maine facility on schedule to break ground by end of 2021.

The Kingfish Company N.V.’s U.S. facility received final state level permits last week; documentation that enables the project to begin construction on schedule.

These permits indicate compliance with substantial checks, certifications and inspections by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP), and were granted with the approval of Kingfish Maine’s SLODA (Site Location of Development Act) and NRPA (Natural Resources Protection Act) applications.

These are the last state-level permits needed to prepare the site for construction. Both critical water-side permits were obtained earlier during 2021.

Kingfish Maine’s recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility is projected to produce up to 8,500 metric tons of Yellowtail annually upon completion.

The Kingfish Company is a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture.

Current annual production capacity at its Kingfish Zeeland facility in the Netherlands is 1,500 tons of high quality and high value Yellowtail Kingfish. Expansion is underway and capacity in the Netherlands will reach 3,500 tons in the second half of 2022. In the US, permitting for the company’s approximate 8,500 ton capacity facility is progressing as planned, with production start scheduled for second half of 2023.

Production is based on advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which protect biodiversity and ensure biosecurity. Animal welfare is paramount, and the fish is grown without use of antibiotics and vaccines. Operations run on 100 percent renewable energy, sourced from wind, solar and biogas. The company’s facilities operate on sea water, avoiding wasting of precious fresh water.

The Kingfish Company’s main product at present, the Yellowtail Kingfish (also known as Ricciola/Hiramasa/Greater Amberjack) is a highly versatile premium fish species, well known in the Italian and Asian fusion cuisines.

Its products are certified and approved as sustainable and environmentally friendly by Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and British Retail Consortium (BRC). It was the winner of the 2019 Seafood Excellence Award, and it is recommended as green choice by Good Fish Foundation. www.the-kingfish-company.com