Nordic Aquafarms US News

Humboldt CA

What is Yellowtail Kingfish?

Yellowtail kingfish are pelagic schooling fish found throughout the Pacific Ocean. Yellowtail can grow up to 2m and are common to 1m in fork length. Yellowtail kingfish are often seen schooling as adults and are often found near rocky reefs and sandy areas in coastal waters and may enter estuaries.

Young fish up to 7kg are known to form shoals of several hundred fish. They are generally found close to the coast, while larger fish are more common around deep reefs and offshore islands and can reach upwards of 70kg.

They are native to California but concentrated in Southern California where waters are warmer.  They rarely travel to Northern California and only during warm years.

How has Nordic tried to reach out/educate the community about the project?

Our team’s mission is to be transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive in our research and sharing results throughout the public process. Nordic conducted multiple public information meetings, met with interested stakeholder groups and residents, and held numerous presentations for local groups.

Our Public Relations and Outreach Manager, Jacki Cassida, is available to help communicate with and educate the public about the project. Jacki can be reached at jacki.cassida@nordicaquafarms.com.

Will Nordic bring in out-of-the area contractors for construction?

Nordic will prioritize and optimize opportunities for local contractors. Nordic is using Gilbane for construction management and general contractor. Nordic and Gilbane will work to  create smaller bid-packages and sub-contracts. The Nordic project is expected to create approximately 250-300 jobs annually during the multi-year construction period.

Nordic expects to offer about 150 full-time jobs with benefits when the facility is fully built out. In addition, there will be many indirect jobs generated in support of the facility (truck drivers, food service, etc.)

Business Development

The project will create many ancillary business opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Nordic is committed to working within a circular economic model wherever feasible. The more local the solution, the better the fit it will likely be for our operations, service, and support.

Increased local spending

Wages, ancillary spending will result in millions of additional dollars infused into the local economy and local spending on supplies and services will increase during Nordic’s multi-year construction phase.

Educational Development

We’ve had opportunities to work with all grade levels with in-classroom and virtual interactive presentations. Nordic is excited to work with the newly launched Marine Institute at Belfast Area High School to introduce information to students about careers in aquaculture, support in-classroom educational programs and more. Nordic staff have been instrumental in connecting with Maine’s colleges and university programs in assisting with the development of RAS-oriented curriculum and career paths. Additionally, to facilitate movement within the company, NAF will be creating on-site career development opportunities for employees.