Dear All,
Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage continues its work to safeguard the ocean bottom, as marine aquaculture applications are approved 99% of the time by the Department of Marine Resources.
The proposed 40-acre oyster lease in Maquoit Bay, Brunswick has been granted a preliminary recommendation for approval, pending final review by the commissioner of the DMR. By November 4th Commercial Fishermen and other intervenors will be submitting comments regarding errors of fact, for review by the commissioner, during this final phase of the lease granting process.
Next week the right whale hearings continue in Ellsworth, Waldoboro and South Portland. Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage will attend these as well. Here are the details:
Nov. 4, 2019 - Monday, 5pm, Ellsworth, The Grand, 165 Main St.
Nov. 5, 2019 – Tuesday, 5pm, Waldoboro, Medomak Middle School Gym, 318 Manktown Road
Nov. 6, 2019 – Wednesday, 5pm, South Portland High School Auditorium, 637 Highland Avenue
As of today, these are the upcoming aquaculture hearings which are posted on the DMR website:
Aquaculture Lease Hearing- Sea Stuff, LLC – November 6, 2019 – 247 South Road, Chebeague Island, ME
Aquaculture Lease Hearing - Mussel Bound Incorporated – November 19, 2019 – Mount Desert, ME
Please reference the attached article, regarding the 40% drop in the lobster catch to date. Read More Here.
Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage believes any industry with a 40% decline is cause for concern. In the coming months, we will be working to encourage legislators to implement rules which will help protect the livelihood of lobstermen throughout the state.
Maine’s iconic brand deserves our collective efforts to preserve its future.
Sincerely,
Crystal Canney
Spokesperson, Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage
protectmaine@gmail.com