The world’s population is expected to grow by approximately 2.3 billion people between the years 2009 and 2050, with food production required to double by 2050 to meet this growth. The increase in demand and production calls for a focus on sustainable food sources to manage green gas emission rates, in line with the United Nations Global Roadmap of meeting net-zero emissions by 2050.

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“Imported seafood arrives days or even weeks after it’s caught, aboard aeroplanes and cargo ships whose carbon output represent tremendous environmental consequences.”

American Aquafarms is at the forefront of innovative aquaculture technology, developing state of the art sustainable aquafarms to meet growing population demands through environmentally conscious and ergonomic means, situated in the Frenchman Bay area of Maine.

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The world’s increasing protein needs are considerably outpacing the oceans ability to produce wild caught fish, while traditional aquaculture methods such as open-net farming are reaching unsustainable levels. American Aquafarm is dedicated to leveraging Maine’s waterfront assets with eco-friendly closed pens to increase local production of healthy fish.

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The world has seen a global decline in salmon runs, partly caused by overfishing, with the Wild Atlantic salmon categorised as endangered for decades.

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Closed-pen fish farming technology

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Traditional salmon farming occurs in open pen environments, this allows organic waste, such as fish faeces and uneaten feed to sink to the sea floor, creating numerous environmental issues and negatively impacting underwater biodiversity.

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American Aquafarms closed pens, built with a double barrier to stop the free flow of water, provide a number of environmental advantages compared with open nets, such as higher protection against fish escapes and superior organic waste collection, which minimizes the impact of fish farming on the farm’s surroundings.

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In addition, closed pens offer a controlled environment for the fish, optimizing fish welfare conditions by providing a sea-lice free environment for the fish, as well as ideal oxygen, temperature, and current levels.

“The significant component of that concept is that the wastes are transported to shore where they're dried and using bio digesters turn to biofuel, which can create energy.”

This environment is also protected from external threats like viruses, parasites and predators, reducing the need for pharmaceuticals or other chemicals throughout the production cycle.

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“By avoiding pathogens, it provides a much more healthful environment for the fish and extensively provides a much higher quality of food product.”

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Economical and societal development

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Aquaculture production has been a significant part of Maine’s economy and community for decades, providing tax revenue for coastal communities and business for bait stores and restaurants.

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American Aquafarm are committed to the investment in their employees and the surrounding community, their innovative technology provides all year-round beneficial employment guaranteeing a sustainable future for generations to come.

The company is actively involved in local education schemes to provide exceptional education, internship and occupational opportunities for local students.

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“American Aquafarm is going to be diligent in finding solutions towards creating more environmentally safe practices to provide full time, year round jobs for the residents. It's important for this part of the world, as most of our fisheries have declined, and this will keep the continuation of our working waterfront moving forward.”

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