Whole Oceans to open new Atlantic salmon production facility in Maine

US-based fish producer Whole Oceans is planning to open its new land-based Atlantic salmon production facility in Bucksport, Maine, US.

The new facility built at the former Verso paper mill will be using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for raising the Atlantic salmon fish.

RAS is a land-based technology that has been designed to optimise the growing conditions for salmon.

By continuously recycling the water through ultra purification systems, the technology eliminates the use of antibiotics and creates a clean, healthy growing environment for these fishes.

Whole Oceans CEO Rob Piasio said: “The time for RAS has arrived and Whole Oceans will make Bucksport a global leader in sustainable Atlantic salmon production.

“But this story is much bigger than just Whole Oceans. This story is also about the resiliency and determination of towns throughout Maine that make projects like this possible.

“Whole Oceans is entering a long-term partnership with the community of Bucksport, a responsibility we accept with the greatest care, and together we will strive to make Whole Oceans a source of pride every single day.”

Whole Oceans intends to begin construction of its new facility in August and plans to invest $250m.
It is reported that hundreds of direct jobs will be created in the region when the facility reaches its full production capacity.

Whole Oceans intends to produce 50,000 metric tons of Atlantic salmon per year using land-based technology at its new facility.

The company noted that it has already pre-sold 100% of production for the next ten years.

Piasio further added: “To execute our plan, we have assembled a team of global leaders in land-based technology, including Billund Aquaculture based in Denmark and the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute in West Virginia.”