(Portland, Me.) Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation (PMFHF) is supporting LD 101 which would pause all wind energy projects in state waters. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (R- Winter Harbor).
Executive Director of PMFHF Crystal Canney said, “Responsibly developed offshore wind energy, done in a way that addresses concerns of the state’s vital fishing communities, is an essential part of efforts to address the climate crisis. Currently Maine lacks a comprehensive plan on how to share our common ocean resource, and the needs of Maine’s fishing communities continue to be sidelined. That’s why we are joining a growing number of organizations who do not support putting wind energy in Maine waters without a planning process of where and how that should happen in conjunction with all the other pressures currently facing the industry. PMFHF believes the state has failed to have the necessary conversations around siting ocean-based projects in Maine whether it’s wind or aquaculture. Right now, lobstermen and women face a three headed sea monster (Right Whales, Industrial Scale Aquaculture, Wind) and the outcomes could be ugly. As a result, the inshore fishery is about to get even more crowded. Lobstermen and women have been talking about leaving the offshore fishery which is beyond the three-mile line and coming inshore because of the changes around right whale regulations. This is coming at a time when aquaculture leases are growing, and individuals can still lease up to 1,000 acres. Maine needs to start having a statewide conversation around how to move forward with Maine’s coast. Absent that and a review of rules we will continue to see conflict grow on a variety of fronts.”