Kingfish Maine Wins Landmark Legal Victory, Clears Path for Sustainable Aquaculture Project

On April 11, 2025, The Kingfish Company N.V., a pioneer in sustainable land-based aquaculture, announced a major legal victory in Maine, affirming the full permitting of its U.S. subsidiary, Kingfish Maine. The Supreme Judicial Court of Maine denied the latest appeal challenging the company’s state permits under the Site Location of Development Act (SLODA) and the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA), clearing the path for Kingfish Maine’s continued development and operations.

The court’s decision greenlights Kingfish Maine’s planned 94-acre recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility in Jonesport, Maine.

Bernstein Shur successfully represented Kingfish Maine throughout the permitting and litigation processes. Led by shareholders from the firm’s Environmental, Real Estate, and Litigation practice groups, including project lead Kat Joyce along with Rachael Becker-McEntee, Pat Marass, and Pete Van Hemel, the multi-disciplinary team successfully navigated complex regulatory issues over a period of four years, ultimately securing this critical legal victory.