A new study published in Science Advances has found that the global aquaculture industry, including salmon farming, may rely on significantly more wild-caught fish than previously estimated.
Led by scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, the study challenges long-held assumptions about the sustainability of fish farming and suggests a substantial impact on wild fish populations.
Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation continues to work with towns to prevent the sale of the Maine coast for private gain. Our efforts aim to preserve public access for marine harvesters and the public at large, maintaining water quality, and ensuring proper regulation of the state’s public trust. Protect Maine continues to advocate for small owner-operated aquaculture. We believe that with appropriate siting and community input small owner-operated aquaculture is an ideal way to diversify the commercial fishery.
This was originally published in The Boothbay Register.
Written by Camden Reiss
As a marine harvester in the Midcoast and Downeast, part time sternman and advocate for keeping our waters clean and open to everyone, I urge you to look at what is happening along the Maine coast.
We are selling our waters without doing any research about the impacts of industrial scale aquaculture. The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is granting leases for exclusive use in areas all along the coast. Those areas are getting bigger—pushing out other marine harvesters without proper oversight or scientific study regarding the impact on the wild harvest or the environment.
This article was originally published in the New Bedford Light. Written by Will Sennott.
The lawsuit focuses on Cooke’s Virginia-based subsidiary, Omega Protein, which processes menhaden for fish-oil supplements, fish meal, animal feed and other commercial products.
Cooke Inc., one of the world’s largest seafood conglomerates, and its U.S. subsidiaries could face fines of up to $2 billion after government watchdogs filed a lawsuit alleging that the company has violated foreign ownership laws for at least seven years.
The Canadian-based seafood giant has a large presence in the U.S. fishing industry, including on the Port of New Bedford.
To the Editor,
As a marine harvester in the Midcoast and Downeast, part-time sternman, and an advocate for keeping our waters clean and open to everyone, I urge you to look at what is happening along the Maine coast.
We are selling our waters without doing any research about the impacts of industrial-scale aquaculture. The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is granting leases for exclusive use in areas all along the coast. Those areas are getting bigger—pushing out other marine harvesters without proper oversight or scientific study regarding the impact on the wild harvest or the environment.
Recently we wrote to you about the troubling news of farmed salmon fish die offs and the lack of transparency by the state regarding what happened.
Since Cooke is planning on renewing and expanding its facilities with a lumpfish facility in Downeast Maine, Protect Maine decided to check out what was happening at the discharge area of Cooke’s Machiasport plant, where they process fish and discharge into the water. The video we captured provides a glimpse into what the water feels like to two different people.
Watch and listen:
We want to thank you for participating in emails to various state officials. We asked you to write to them in our previous newsletter regarding bivalve contamination and the state’s failure to notify the public.
Here’s a piece from Bailey Bowden that outlines what happened:
If you have concerns about large scale industrial aquaculture, contact your local legislator:
https://www.protectmaine.com/take-action
We hope, like us, you continue to understand the importance of paying attention to these issues. Maine is headed in the wrong direction with industrial scale aquaculture – you can support our efforts to correct the course of aquaculture in Maine at this link: https://www.protectmaine.com/donate
On July 10, 2024, the Maine Center for Disease Control notified the Department of Marine Resources of an outbreak of campylobactor illness related to the consumption of raw oysters. According to the World Health Organization, “Campylobacter infections are generally mild, but can be fatal among very young children, elderly, and immuno-suppressed individuals.” (who.int/ news-room/fact-sheets/detail/campylobacter)
DEER ISLE—On August 8, the Deer Isle select board heard from Bailey Bowden, a Penobscot resident and consultant for the Portland-based Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation (PMFHF).
Bowden said he wanted to present the board with information regarding aquaculture ordinances, and provided a draft ordinance created by PMFHF. Selectmen Ronald Eaton and Peter Perez were present.
Bowden said PMFHF believes that municipalities should have authority to implement aquaculture restrictions under “home rule,” in which Maine municipalities may govern themselves in any way that is not denied them by state or federal law. Maine has been considered a “home rule” state since November 1969, when an amendment to the state constitution granted broad “home rule” ordinance powers to municipalities.
Did you know that people recently became ill from eating farmed Maine oysters?
On July 10, 2024, the Maine Center for Disease Control notified the Department of Marine Resources of an outbreak of campylobactor illness related to the consumption of raw oysters. According to the World Health Organization, “Campylobacter infections are generally mild, but can be fatal among very young children, elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals.”
To the editor,
As a marine harvester in the Midcoast and Downeast, part-time steersman, and an advocate for keeping our waters clean and open to everyone, I urge you to look at what is happening along the Maine coast.
We are selling our waters without doing any research about the impacts of industrial-scale aquaculture. The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is granting leases for exclusive use in areas all along the coast. Those areas are getting bigger - pushing out other marine harvesters without proper oversight or scientific study regarding the impact on the wild harvest or the environment.