More than 125 boats chugged across Frenchman Bay on Sunday to protest plans by American Aquafarms to place an industrial salmon farm in the bay off the coast of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
Organizers of the “Save the Bay” flotilla said it demonstrates the depth of opposition to the proposed salmon farm. The parade of boats included working lobster boats as well as pleasure craft.
Originally published in The Boston Globe
I was chairman of a committee in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, which fought against the creation of a large fish farm in Linekin Bay.
Industrial aquaculture or bust? There’s a third, better option for Maine (“Lobsters are Vanishing. Can a Maine Way of Life Endure?” July 25). This story erroneously suggests that the state must either transfer public wealth — the ocean commons — to the aquaculture industry, or let its economy crumble.
Originally published in the Bangor Daily News
The American Aquafarms proposal to put an immense salmon farm near Acadia National Park adds an ironic twist to the term NIMBY — not in my backyard. In this case it applies to the developer, not the opponents.
Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation (PMFHF) kicked off its second annual fundraiser this weekend with a concert featuring the Chebeague Island band Turd Pollock. The band is comprised of lobstermen and women, and once again they donated their time and talents with a concert off a floating dock near Chebeague for this year’s fundraiser.
Originally Published in the Boston Globe Magazine
As lobsters decline, enormous industrial operations could be on the horizon. “They are gambling with our livelihood, our coastline, and our future.”
Everyone who cares about our coast and the Maine economy should worry about this irresponsible Down East project.
Agriculture and aquaculture. Both are farming. Both are important to Maine’s future, as more of both are needed to feed a hungry world. But both carry inherent risks to our environment if not practiced in responsible ways.
Maine is not alone in its concern about rules and regulations for aquaculture. Click Here to read a recent piece from National Fisherman written by a Californian and a Floridian that addresses concerns about industrial aquaculture. The piece is entitled Support: Keep Finfish Free.