France Approves Controversial Mega-Salmon Farm Project Amid Opposition

The French state has given the green light to a large-scale salmon farming project in Gironde, a decision met with significant opposition from local communities, environmental organizations, and some lawmakers. The 280 million euro initiative, spearheaded by Pure Salmon and backed by a Singaporean investment fund, was justified by Gironde's prefect, Sophie Brocas, as presenting "great economic and industrial interest for the territory."

The project aims to establish a "mega-farm" capable of producing up to 10,000 tons of salmon annually, a scale unprecedented in France and positioning it as the largest in the European Union. This endeavor addresses several public interest goals, including the redevelopment of an industrial wasteland in the Médoc region, the creation of 250 direct jobs, and boosting domestic production of salmon, which is currently imported at 99%. French marine aquaculture, as of 2024, produced only 5,807 tons of fish across all species.

Construction of the land-based, closed-circuit farm is slated for 14 hectares in Verdon-sur-Mer, beginning in 2027. The environmental authorization comes with "particularly demanding environmental prescriptions" that will govern both the construction and operational phases, subject to "permanent control." These include measures for water resource protection, water discharge quality, biodiversity preservation, and management of odors and light emissions.

Pure Salmon highlights that the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology used is increasingly adopted globally and is considered the most virtuous in terms of water usage. However, the prefecture acknowledges that while RAS principles are established, projects of this magnitude represent a "change of scale" with limited operational references available.