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.

(Portland, Maine) Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation (PMFHF) has once again given the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) an opportunity to protect the Maine coast for all of those who live, work, and recreate on the water.

Good morning all,

As we continue to watch developments in Frenchman Bay, I am reminded why Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation believes protecting the ocean from large-scale industrial aquaculture is so important to the future of the state’s economy, its heritage, sense of place and what Maine has to offer the rest of the world.

Commissioner Keliher,

For 40 years the Downeast Salmon Federation has worked with communities to restore Atlantic salmon and their home rivers in Eastern Maine. We, alongside the Maine DMR, have invested countless hours and millions of dollars to make sure that future generations will once again see our rivers filled with wild Atlantic salmon.

Good afternoon. I am Kevin Schneider, superintendent at Acadia National Park and am here today to speak on behalf of the National Park Service. We appreciate the opportunity to offer comments on the two proposed American Aquafarm lease applications in Frenchman Bay.

(GOULDSBORO, Maine) – Following a recent visit to the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, opponents of a massive industrial aquaculture project proposed for Prospect Harbor and nearby Frenchman Bay have sent a letter urging her to oppose the project or at least join with the many conservation groups and individuals who have already asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the project.

(BAR HARBOR, Maine) – With Bar Harbor lobstermen solidly opposing a massive salmon farm proposed for Frenchman Bay, the Bar Harbor town council voted unanimously July 15th to seek intervener status in the state review of American Aquafarms lease applications to the Maine Department of Marine Resources.

Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation(PMFHF) was one of several groups under the umbrella of Frenchman Bay United that participated in an informational session in Prospect Harbor recently regarding the proposed American Aquafarms in-water net pen salmon project. There is a ton of interest regarding what this could mean for the entire state and the lobster industry.