“Protect Maine is trying to ensure that the playing field is level for everyone and is fighting hard against industrial-scale aquaculture....Protect Maine supports small aquaculturists.”
Small-Scale Aquaculture
How do we define small scale?
Protect Maine believes any lease site five acres or smaller, with no more than 50 acres leased to any individual, business, or corporation balances the livelihood of aquaculturists with the livelihoods of marine harvesters, lobstermen and women and those who recreate on the water.
To that end, the emergency aquaculture moratoriums proposed by Protect Maine are being adopted by communities along the Maine coast.
Those who have chosen to say Protect Maine is not supporting aquaculture are often among those who have the largest leases in the state. To be clear: Protect Maine supports small aquaculture, not industrial-scale aquaculture.
Small scale aquaculture in action
Chris and David are small aquaculturists who are working in a way Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage believes allows for the protection of the coast. They have been clammers for decades and have diversified their business to grow aquaculture at a responsible level. Their farms are less than five acres, which Protect Maine supports. Chris and David have chosen to grow out the bottom, allowing all marine life to thrive on the rich nutrients that flow through the top of the water column to better support the natural estuaries.
Industrial-scale AQUACULTURE
Why is Maine trying to attract industrial-scale fish farms when other parts of the world are shutting them down?
More than 180 people from all over the Maine Coast signed a petition to force aquaculture rule changes at the Department of Marine Resources, specifically addressing the lease size issue. DMR denied the petition after the signatures were turned in and lobstermen testified in support.
Companies can lease up to 1,000 acres of ocean bottom for aquaculture, taking that area away from lobstermen and other fishermen.
Approximately 95% of all In-Water aquaculture applications are approved by the state.
In March of 2019, more than 180 people from all over the Maine Coast (See map at left) signed a petition to force aquaculture rule changes at the Department of Marine Resources, specifically addressing the lease size issue. DMR denied the petition after the signatures were turned in and lobstermen testified in support. DMR stated the agency didn't have the statutory authority to make the changes, instead defaulting to the legislature.
View an aquaculture roadmap critique from scientists, business owners, students, and engaged professionals from across the state of Maine.
Read the Dangers of Industrial Fish Farming report.
This chart depicts the differences between shellfish aquaculture and lobster fishing requirements.
Banner image: small-scale aquaculture in Maine.