A Sternman's Thoughts on Aquaculture

Are there any other industries in Maine that are allowed to grow with no set limits? Right now, aquaculture leasing is designed this way. There is no cap on the number of leases that the state can issue. The number of aquaculture applications has increased ten-fold over the last ten years, and the Department of Marine Resources has approved 99% of these marine applications. The current regulations will lead to the unsustainable growth of a new industry which is untested along our coast.

Mere Point Oyster Company Decision Will Be Appealed In Court

(Brunswick, Maine) – In what is a precedent-setting case for Maine, the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has approved the Mere Point Oyster Company lease despite significant opposition.

DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher confirmed the hearing officer’s earlier decision approving a 34.52 acre lease in Maquoit Bay. The oyster lease will be among the largest in the state. Dozens of lobstermen testified that they fished in the area, some for generations. Pogy fishermen added their opposition to landowner concerns about the site selection and permitting rules for aquaculture in Maine.

Protect Maine's Fishing Heritage Newsletter

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.

Kelp leases threaten lobster grounds

Lobstermen in Knox County are watching as their fishing grounds are being taken away. I attended a hearing for kelp lease in prime lobstering grounds last week for Bob Baines. The chance of this lease being approved is 99 percent, with the track record the Department of Marine Resources has of approving applications for marine aquaculture. There were about 20 of us there to object, but it really felt like what we asked was falling on deaf ears.

Protect Maine's Fishing Heritage Newsletter

Dear Lobstermen,

Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage wanted to share with you two recent pieces in Maine newspapers written by fellow lobstermen.

Ernie Burgess who is a life-long fisherman from Chebeague wrote a piece that was published in the Portland Press Herald about why we need to find the balance between lobstering and aquaculture.

Maine Voices: Protect traditional fisheries’ access to ocean waters

By Ernie Burgess, Special To The Press Herald

CHEBEAGUE ISLAND — I’ve fished for 66 years and I’ve fished for just about everything up and down Casco Bay. I’ve gone for halibut, hake and cusk, lobstered and gone line fishing, scalloping and clamming. I’ve even gone dragging.

Concerned Citizens Announce Statewide Effort To Protect Maine's Traditional Fishing Heritage

(Portland, Maine) -- A group of citizens who have been working to ensure continued access to Maine’s oceans has formed a new coalition Protect Maine's Fishing Heritage. The group has been active in advocating for lobstermen who are losing acres of fishing grounds to aquaculture leases in some parts of the state. The organization also supports Maine residents who are concerned about losing access to the ocean for recreational usage.