A recent Sentient Media article took a look at testing under Cooke Aquaculture’s net pens. Heather Govern (CLF), Crystal Canney (PMFHF), and Dwayne Shaw (DSF) were quoted:
“Govern and Canney also argue that the state lacks sufficient independent sampling and inspections beneath the net pens, while Shaw points to gaps in monitoring escaped farmed salmon.”
Read the entire story here: bit.ly/4hHXECP
This is an important point about independent testing beneath the salmon pens. In July, Protect Maine’s Executive Director and its President Rock Alley of Jonesport approached the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner at a scallop hearing to ask a simple question – Why is DMR allowing Cooke with its history of violations around the world to do testing and monitoring underneath its own net pens and report the findings? The unfortunate truth is the DMR Commissioner didn’t have an answer. Protect Maine feels it’s unacceptable when the department is using a grant funded robot under the water to site lease already and is failing to use it underneath the net pens which would increase transparency and government oversight.
Read DMR’s press release on its grant funded machine: https://www1.maine.gov/dmr/news/tue-08192025-1200-grant-supports-continued-efficiency-improvements-maine-dmr-aquaculture