Nordic Aquafarms has canceled its seven-year plan to build a large recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) salmon farm in Belfast, Maine, following a January 2025 ruling by Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court that the company did not own the intertidal land needed for essential piping. The legal challenge was led by Belfast residents Jeffrey Mabee and Judith Grace, who claimed ownership of the disputed land.
The project’s failure has left the Belfast community divided. Supporters, including former Nordic representative Jacki Cassida, saw it as an economic opportunity that would have brought jobs, tax revenue, and educational benefits. Opponents, such as Jill Howell of Upstream Watch, argued that the large-scale industrial nature of the farm posed environmental risks and divided the community.
The proposed $500 million, 850,000-square-foot facility aimed to produce 33,000 metric tons of salmon and create up to 140 jobs. Nordic had selected Belfast for its favorable conditions and proximity to major markets. Despite the project’s cancellation, the company emphasized the importance of land-based aquaculture for food security and sustainability.