The Norwegian aquaculture company proposed the 57-acre fish farm back in 2018 and said they've spent millions fighting legal cases in the six years since.

Nordic Aquafarm's $500 million project faced fierce opposition from conservationists like Jill Howell and her team at Upstream Watch since it was first introduced.

"We've had legal cases at the local level, at the state level," Howell explained. "There is a place for industrial development, but it’s not on land with mature forests and rivers and wetlands."

Howell and members of Upstream Watch said their research shows the fish farm would discharge alarming amounts of wastewater into Belfast Bay and have long-term negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem. However, Nordic Aquafarms argued land-based aquaculture is a more sustainable alternative to other fish farming methods.

Nordic Aquafarms issued a statement on behalf of the company.  

“While a few may view this as a victory, we argue that this is a significant loss overall—not just for Nordic Aquafarms but for the community,” U.S. CEO Brenda Chandler said in the statement. “The expanded tax base, new jobs, and Maine’s leadership in aquaculture solutions were all significant benefits of this project.”

The decision also marks the end of a yearslong fight against Nordic led by members of the Friends of Harriet L. Hartley Conservation Area.

"Fundamental to this whole controversy has been the issue of property rights," Andrew Stevenson, secretary for the conservation group, said. 

By focusing their efforts on protecting a section of intertidal land Nordic needed in order to place discharge and intake pipes essential to the fish farm, Stevenson and conservationists were able to prove Nordic did not own the land in a Maine Supreme Court ruling.

"Preserving this land is important. It's a beautiful area, and it's very valuable to the citizens here," Stevenson said. 

Members of Upstream Watch and Friends of Harriet L. Hartley Conservation Area celebrated Nordic’s decision as a win for the environment, but some city officials felt the abandonment of the project marks a missed opportunity for the community.

"It would’ve meant a lot to the city of Belfast and its taxpayers,” Mayor Eric Sanders said. “It would’ve greatly reduced taxes.”

Despite his feelings, though, Sanders said he hopes the decision can help residents who were divided on the issue come together again.

“Healing, I would hope, comes sooner than later,” he shared. 

Source - https://www.newscentermaine.com