MACHIASPORT (AP) – Atlantic Salmon of Maine’s new owner says the permanent shutdown of its processing plant is set to take place on or about June 30.

Cooke Aquaculture of Canada, which bought Atlantic Salmon early this month from Fjord Seafood of Norway, said that when the plant closes, its 19 remaining workers will lose their jobs.

The plant’s costs are far higher than industry standards, said Glen Brown, Cooke’s director of development.

About 30 other workers involved in two ocean farming operations near Machiasport will be retained, the company said.

Atlantic Salmon, which once employed as many as 200 at its several sites, had been burdened by a series of economic, legal and regulatory problems in the past few years.

Cooke, which operates successful salmon farms on the Canadian side of Passamaquoddy Bay, said it wants to see Atlantic Salmon regain its role as a major player in Maine’s aquaculture industry.

“We are trying to pick up the pieces of the operation because we believe that salmon can be grown in Maine,” said Cooke’s Lloyd Purdy, who took over as Atlantic Salmon’s operations manager.

“We are trying to get back continuity in employment. But there weren’t any smolt in the water, so until we get a crop, it will take time to get back to a critical mass of operation.”

Cooke’s chief executive officer, Glenn Cooke, said the Machiasport plant’s problems were due in large part to a federal court case in which a judge shut down Maine salmon farms accused of violating water pollution laws.

Fjord Seafood’s sale to Cooke included all water operations, the Machiasport plant and hatcheries at Oquossoc and Solon.

The Machiasport facility, a $2 million, 28,000-square-foot plant, has been in operation since 1987.

Cooke said his company, as the new owner of the operation, wants to do business in the state.

“We’ve got to work and build,” he said. “Our plan is not to exit Maine.”

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