California
Virtual tour of proposed Nordic Aquafarms Samoa
Has Nordic engaged the tribes to try to work with them?
Nordic has engaged in informal communication w/ tribal representatives since March 2019.
Archaeologist James Roscoe of Roscoe and Associates worked closely with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) to complete a thorough Culture Resources Report. The final report is confidential and is not disseminated to the public.
Nordic has conducted regular outreach with tribal leadership and membership during the permitting process and continues to communicate with them to keep them updated on the process.
Nordic has offered to engage a cultural resources monitor when appropriate during project construction.
How has Nordic tried to reach out/educate the community about the project?
The Nordic team has gone to great lengths to be transparent, inclusive and comprehensive in their research and sharing results throughout the public process. Nordic has a Public Relations and Outreach Manager, Jacki Cassida, and a local community liaison, Stacy Atkins Salazar, who are both available to help communicate with and educate the public about the project. Jacki can be reach at jacki.cassida@nordicaquafarms.com, and Stacy can be reached at stacyatkinssalazar@gmail.com.
Nordic has shared study findings with Baykeeper, EPIC, NCEC, The Salmonid Restoration Federation, Humboldt Fishermen’s Marketing Association and more as requested.
Nordic has conducted multiple public information meetings, been meeting with all interested stakeholder groups and local residents and held numerous presentations for local groups. In addition, Nordic has held in-person/digital office hours every week to answer questions from local residents.
Will Nordic bring in out-of-the area contractors for construction?
Nordic is using Gilbane for construction management and general contractor. However, Nordic will prioritize and optimize opportunities for local contractors by creating smaller bid-packages and sub-contracts.
The Nordic project is expected to create approximately 250-300 jobs annually during the multi-year construction period.
Will Nordic threaten the local commercial fishing industry?
Nordic is producing Atlantic Salmon, not West Coast species that are commercially fished.
Nordic wants to replace farmed salmon currently imported via airfreight 5,000 to 7,000 miles to reach the shelves on the west coast with a fresh, locally grown product.