Good Morning,
Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage (PMFH) is hard at work during the time of Covid-19.
We wanted to share a couple of pieces of information with you.
Right Whales
We know federal court decisions around right whales have the potential to devastate the lobster industry. And it is being expressed in columns around the state. PMFH has obtained the plaintiff's brief and wanted to share it with you. Of particular interest is the National Marine Fisheries Service and its position in this case.
Financial Relief
PMFH has also reached out to the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to ask how the $20 million in federal funds will be distributed within the Maine fishery. Those decisions will be in part based on the DMR survey you should have received last week. Here is the link to fill out the survey: https://bit.ly/2Wxw1nP. In conversations with DMR, it’s clear responses to this survey will determine how the money is distributed. Those results will then go to the governor for review and approval before it is submitted to NOAA Fisheries/Dept. of Commerce for final approval. This could change, but as of this date, this is the best information we have. Needless to say, we will monitor. In addition, PMFH has requested a copy of the plan once the governor has signed off on it and we will share it with you. You only have until Friday, May 22nd to fill out the survey, so here is the link again https://bit.ly/2Wxw1nP.
Aquaculture
On the aquaculture front, a large lease has been pulled from the Casco Bay area.
NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF STANDARD AQUACULTURE LEASE APPLICATION
Effective May 1, 2020, Summit Point LLC has withdrawn the standard lease application described below. The proposal is no longer under consideration by DMR as it has been withdrawn by the applicant.
Application Withdrawn: Summit Point LLC
Culture Type: Suspended Culture (bottom and/or surface gear)
Species: Marine Algae
Location, Waterbody, Town: South of Basket Island, west of Chebeague Island, Casco Bay, Chebeague Island and Long Island.
Lease Size: 100 acres
Lease Term: 20 Years
There is however a second lease by Summit Point LLC which is still pending according to the DMR website. This second lease application is also 100 acres for 20 years near Clapboard Island and in the towns of Falmouth and Cumberland.
We will continue to monitor these developments and are particularly concerned about large leases with a 20-year time frame.
Best,
Crystal Canney
Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage