Courtesy / Whole Oceans
An aerial image outlines Lot 3, a 10-acre parcel Whole Oceans hopes to add to its planned aquaculture facility in Bucksport.
December 11, 2020
Whole Oceans wants to expand footprint of planned Bucksport salmon farm
By Staff
Whole Oceans, the Maine company preparing to build a land-based salmon farm on the site of a former Verso paper mill in Bucksport, has expanded plans for the site.
The company is proposing to add a 10-acre parcel, known as Lot 3, in its future recirculating aquaculture facility, according to a news release Friday. The additional space would give Whole Oceans more access to the Penobscot River for saltwater intake, deep-water access and a wharf with a warehouse.
Whole Oceans owns 104 acres at the Verso site, between the river and Route 15, and in August moved its headquarters from Portland to 52 Main St., Bucksport, near the site. The company plans to build the aquaculture facility there in a phased development expected to take 10 years.
The project, now in pre-construction, is expected to eventually have 945,000 square feet of building area and 1.43 million square feet of total developed area.
Commenting on the proposed addition, CEO Jacob Bartlett said in the release, “We are excited about the opportunities this new property presents, and our team is exploring the best ways to use this parcel to enhance our entire project.”
Michael Thompson, Whole Oceans senior project coordinator added, “Aquaculture at this level is complex, and the addition of Lot 3 creates even more opportunities that must be considered. So, while you may not see a shovel in the ground yet, know that our team is working hard to develop the best designs that will result in a world class facility for Bucksport and the state of Maine.”
With the addition of Lot 3, Whole Oceans will need to revise permits from the town of Bucksport and get updated approvals from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The company will also be negotiating construction contracts and revising construction timelines.
“Whole Oceans continues to demonstrate its commitment to the town of Bucksport through its significant investment in our community,” Town Manager Susan Lessard said in the release. “We look forward to working with them and exploring what this latest purchase means for the company and the community.”
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