The Kingfish Company, a global leader in the production of yellowtail kingfish based in the Netherlands, secured a permit for the development of Kingfish Maine - its first US-based RAS operation in Jonesport, Maine.

The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands finalized the Submerged Lands Lease Application for Kingfish Maine’s installation of intake and discharge pipes. This is a critical permit for the construction of the company’s newest RAS facility projected to produce 6,000-8,000 metric tons annually upon completion.

“We are encouraged by the approval of our permit application with no special conditions and no public objections,” said Ohad Maiman, founder and CEO of The Kingfish Company. “Prior to submission, substantial design and engineering efforts were required to assure our future operation complies with state and federal regulations.”

“It was important for us, however, to go the extra mile and approach local stakeholders and ask to hear their concerns. We listened and, accordingly, implemented several changes to our design prior to permit application so that we could mitigate such concerns and found the open and transparent dialogue to be important and constructive in that respect.”

The Kingfish Company currently operates a land-based RAS farm in the Netherlands. The company has been awarded a number of sustainable practice certifications. It’s the first land-based farm to receive Best Aquaculture Practices certification and the first Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified source of yellowtail kingfish, and it was awarded the 2019 Seafood Global Excellence Award as best HORECA product at the Brussels Seafood Expo.

“At a time where global supply chains have proven vulnerable, and key trade agreements are challenged, the case for local, reliable, year-round production and short supply chains has proven to offer The Kingfish Company unique business resilience advantages while providing clear value to its customers and local communities,” the company said.