Plan for salmon farm Down East prompts call for review of state licensing rules

Originally Published in the Portland Press Herald, 1/29/21

Some believe that Maine's process for approving in-water aquaculture is too permissive, and that such operations could overtake the coastline.

Recent pushback surrounding a proposed in-water salmon farm in Frenchman Bay has fueled the efforts of a group advocating for changes to the state’s aquaculture regulations.

Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage is calling for the Maine Department of Marine Resources to not only reject an as-of-yet unfiled proposal for a roughly 110-acre penned salmon fishery, but also revise the rules governing how such projects get approved. The group argues that without proper regulatory constraints, the state’s fast-growing aquaculture industry could disrupt traditional fishing activity and overtake the coast with large, industrial fish farm operations.

PMFHF Newsletter Update January 27, 2021

Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation wanted to send you an update about two developments in the past two weeks. We have publicly stated we will not be supporting the in-water salmon pens in Gouldsboro. This project is being proposed by American Aquafarms who has ties to Norway. Several groups are forming to oppose this project including lobstermen and women who are concerned about what this lease will mean to them.

Governor Mills Announces Actions to Advance Floating Offshore Wind Research Array in Gulf of Maine

In a letter to Maine’s licensed commercial fishermen (PDF), Governor Mills announced that she will propose for the Legislature’s approval a 10-year moratorium on new offshore wind projects in waters managed by the state and that she has directed the Governor’s Energy Office to review offshore wind regulations and again opened channels and opportunities for meaningful input from fishermen and marine industries siting the proposed research array.

Former Director of Maine’s Aquaculture Division joins PMFHF citing multiple concerns including a lack of a state plan for aquaculture

(Portland, Maine) - Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation is announcing Jon Lewis, the former Director of Maine’s Aquaculture Division is joining PMFHF’s efforts to protect the ocean.

Lewis said, “I am joining this effort because too many aquaculture leases are being approved without the ability to adequately oversee and monitor those leases. Lease applications are growing quickly in both number and acreage requested which is leading to increased conflict along the Maine coastline.”

Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation calls for changes to regulations that encourage industrialized aquaculture

(Portland, Maine) – Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation (PMFHF) has been working with lobstermen and more recently small aquaculturists to protect Maine’s coast from industrialized aquaculture.

PMFHF will not support a project targeted for Frenchman Bay in Gouldsboro. The American Aquafarms project calls for two in water salmon aquaculture sites. Zach Piper, who lobsters in the area and has been outspoken around the issue, noted in a recent Bangor Daily News letter to the editor, “I hope before anything moves forward, that the Department of Marine Resources denies this lease. We need to take a hard look at this company and all the large-scale aquaculture rules that have been put in place so that out-of-state and out-of-country interests don’t own one of Maine’s greatest treasurers: our coast.”

Update From Protect Maine's Fishing Heritage Foundation

Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation is working on legislation to protect Maine’s waters for the heritage fisheries and those who recreate on the water. As many of you know, aquaculture leases of up to 1,000 acres can be held by an individual, business or corporation. Leases are still being approved at rate of 95%. At the heart of all of this is the indisputable fact that the ocean is a public resource in public trust and one industry should not, through its lobbying efforts, control this public trust. When the bill has a number we will forward it to you.

Protecting Maine's Coast

I am a young fisherman making my living for the last decade in Frenchman’s Bay. I recently attended a hearing by American Aquafarms, which is deceptive with its name for a starting point. The areas this Norwegian-backed company is proposing to turn into industrial aquaculture with two 50-plus acre leases for large fish pens, is heavily fished by lobstermen and has been for years. I am not a fan of foreign corporations making their money at the expense of Maine people.

Letter to the Editor: Aquaculture plant doesn’t belong in Frenchman Bay

Frenchman Bay sits at the foot of Acadia National Park. It is a beautiful and special place in Maine.

Now it also is a targeted site for fin-fish in-water aquaculture and there are so many questions that revolve around this potential lease which would be owned by a Norwegian company. American Aquaculture, funded through European investors, want to raise salmon.