Nordic Aquafarms reported to have dropped California project
Nordic Aquafarms is reported to have abandoned plans for a large land-based aquaculture operation on the coast of California.
The Yellowtail kingfish farm should have been built near the Humboldt Bay region.
The decision comes just over a year after Nordic Aquafarms dropped plans for a land-based salmon farm in Maine.
The decision comes just over a year after Nordic Aquafarms dropped plans for a land-based RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) salmon farm near Belfast, Maine. That was designed to have a production capacity of up to 33,000 tonnes.
But that project came under fire after the city of Belfast gave in to pressure from environmentalists and reversed a decision that would have given the farm access to intertidal mud flats needed for the facility’s supply of seawater.
The company’s attention then moved to California where it had signed a 30-year lease.
The operation would have provided employment for around 150 people and produced 27,000 tons-plus of yellowtail kingfish, mainly for the US west coast.
Nordic Aquafarms said it was developing an aquafarm in Humboldt, California, because it was close to the largest market for yellowtail kingfish outside of Japan.
Nordic Aquafarms has yet to make a formal announcement about pulling out of California, but the problem is believed to centre around rising costs and investment issues.
Local media have tried to get a statement from the company but so far without success.
The company, which has operations in northern Europe, describes itself of having “highly-skilled fish experts with long experience from sea-based and land-based aquaculture”.
But 10 months ago, domestic Nordic executives acknowledged they were seeking new investors and facing a longer, more expensive timeline amid ongoing regulatory and financial problems.
Why not try these links to see what our Fish Farmer AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)
Processing Operative - Bakkafrost Scotland Limited
Cairndow£26,393.68 per annum
Marine Site Manager - Bakkafrost Scotland Limited
Isle of Benbecula£57,196.01 per annum
Marine Site Manager - Bakkafrost Scotland Limited
Isle of Benbecula£57,196.01 per annum
Freshwater Operative (6 month Fixed Term Contract) - Bakkafrost Scotland Limited
PH38 4ND£32,469.30 per annum
Team Leader (Logistics) - Mowi Scotland
RosythSalary On Application
You May Also Like
© 2026 Fish Farmer.