Good morning,
PMFHF is asking for your financial support in the upcoming year as we continue our important work to ensure that the coast of Maine which we all love is not sold to industrial-scale aquaculture.
Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation is beginning its second year as a 501(c)3. We have accomplished a lot in that short time. Our mission has never strayed and it's worth restating now:
We are working to protect Maine’s fishing heritage so ALL Mainers can continue to earn a living and recreate along the coast.
When PMFHF started, we approached the legislature to work on changing rules and regulations that set the table for large-scale industrial aquaculture. We were concerned that:
Owning up to 1,000 acres would attract large-scale industrial aquaculture that would bring severe environmental repercussions
Allowing those leases to be held for 20 years was too long; in addition, the Department of Marine Resources didn’t have an adequate staff to oversee those leases
The ability to transfer those leases to an individual, business or corporation (in state, out of state, or out of country) would be attractive to businesses
The price for leasing an acre of the ocean was too low at $100 an acre.
As predicted, Maine is now under siege by American Aquafarms and their proposed 120-acre salmon farm at the foot of Acadia National Park. PMFHF is actively working to prevent the lease from going through.
Accomplishments in 2021:
Attended multiple lease hearings around the expansion of aquaculture from large to medium size leases
Organized lobstermen and women to participate in state hearings that affect their livelihood due to loss of fishing grounds.
Met with Governor Mills to express concerns around large scale aquaculture.
Helped organize Frenchman Bay United, an umbrella group fighting the American Aquafarms lease and participated in calls to action, events.
Participated in lobster boat races to heighten awareness around industrial-scale aquaculture.
Participated in public education events throughout the state, including a speaker’s bureau that included Alexandra Morton, who is considered the Jane Goodall of the ocean. See the link below to register for this talk that will be held on December 6, 2021.
Worked with a renowned documentarian around the issues of large-scale industrial aquaculture, a preview of the short film next year.
Testified at the Black Island renewal lease for Cooke Aquaculture where more than 116,000 fish died in August 2021 (lease approval still pending).
Requested Freedom of Access Act documents to illuminate what happened at the fish pens at Black Island that revealed the pens were dirty causing the death of the fish.
Requested Freedom of Access Act documents from the Attorney General’s office regarding Cooke Aquaculture.
Helped organize communications and joined a flotilla to protest American Aquafarms.
Here are a few samples of our work:
Read PMFHF Board Member Zach Piper's comments.
Please Donate Now: https://www.protectmaine.com/donate
PHOTOS FROM THE YEAR
As with any organization, it’s about the people you meet along the way. Our new favorite member this year is Jerry Potter from Gouldsboro. He has opened his home and heart to PMFHF, and we are grateful for him. If you ever wanted to know what it looks like to be happy in your job – this picture says it all:
Here are some of our other favorite pictures this year:
Protesting the renewal of the Black Island lease after 116,000 fish died.
Supporting our folks in Gouldsboro to try to halt the industrial fish farm.
Our friend Kelsey. She works with us when she can and is a sternman on lobster boats.
Hancock County lobsterman and PMFHF Director Zach Piper speaking with the media.
How could we possibly sell our beautiful oceans to be used for industrial-scale aquaculture?
Let's keep families working together!
PMFHF wishes you the best year and hopes you have good times with your families and friends in the upcoming year.
Best,
Crystal Canney
Executive Director
Protect Maine's Fishing Heritage Foundation
protectmaine@gmail.com