Nordic
Aquafarms, a leading international developer of land-based
aquaculture, will be presenting an overview of their planned Humboldt
County facility on Thursday, April 11, at 2 p.m. at Humboldt State
University’s Kate Buchanan Room, located on the 2nd
floor of the University Center Building. The company has developed
significant innovations in Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)
technology, which uses large, independent tanks and water treatment
systems. The Humboldt facility is anticipated to meet the growing US
demand for fresh seafood, 90% of which is currently imported, in a
sustainable, environmentally responsible manner.
Background
On
February 11, 2019, Nordic Aquafarms signed a lease-option agreement
with the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District in
order to pursue final due diligence for a land-based fish farm on the
Samoa Peninsula. If the due diligence and permitting goes as planned,
the project will bring major investments, tax revenue, employment and
business opportunities to the North Coast.
This
project has also been designated as an anchor project at the
peninsula that is expected to attract other businesses to the area.
The company’s strategy is to provide an alternative to seafood
imports and not to compete with existing local fisheries and
businesses. As such, the effort also brings potential synergies and
opportunities for cooperation and supports within a developing
aquaculture cluster, contributing to a diverse and robust seafood
industry in Humboldt County.
Additional
information
The
US imports 90% of the fresh seafood consumed and demand continues to
grow. To meet current demand, most of the fresh fish consumed in the
US is air-freighted at a significant cost and with considerable CO2
footprint. To achieve growth in domestic supply of fresh local fish
in a sustainable, environmentally responsible manner, land-based fish
farming is a solution.
Land-based
fish farming (RAS) is based on indoor production in a controlled
environment using large, independent tanks and water treatment
systems. Its benefits include:
ability
to recycle and treat water on site to reduce water consumption;
recycling
of waste resources and nutrients;
prevention
of sea lice and parasites;
elimination
of fish escape into the sea and co-mingling with wild species;
application
of renewable energy concepts;
a
shorter distance to market for a high quality, fresh product
consistent
quality and traceability all year round
In
its presentation, Nordic Aquafarms will introduce its plans for the
project in Humboldt to serve West Coast markets.
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