In February of this year I wrote an article for Currents titled The Fate of Frenchman Bay: a Contentious Battle Over Downeast Maine’s Marine Resources in which I outlined the fight to stop an industrial salmon farm from being built in Downeast Maine near Acadia National Park. Before reading ahead, I suggest reading that first.

The Update

Since I wrote The Fate of Frenchman Bay: a Contentious Battle Over Downeast Maine’s Marine Resources, some major developments have occurred. In April, Maine’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) terminated American Aquafarms’ lease application, a boon for those opposed to the project. According to DMR, the company failed to find a suitable source for its eggs as is required by state law to ensure the safety of endangered wild Atlantic salmon. DMR was unable to confirm that the eggs were of the correct North American stock nor genetically modified. Additionally, the source failed to meet criteria that set standards for hatchery inspection and pathogen screening.

Opposition organizers celebrated the win, but also remarked that this likely was not the end of the fight. A month or so later, American Aquafarms opened – and then promptly abandoned – a lawsuit against the state of Maine to appeal DMR’s decision. Though they dropped the suit, it appears American Aquafarms still intends to pursue the project and went ahead to purchase an old seafood processing facility in Prospect Harbor. One representative of the company told a reporter at Mongabay, “This is not the end. We’re not going anywhere.” American Aquafarms can, and likely will, reapply for a lease, however the process would take another two to three years.

Should the company continue down this path, they no doubt will face only greater opposition from a now more prepared opponent. The momentum of Downeast organizations, communities, and residents does not show any sign of slowing down and they have accomplished a great deal over the course of this year. An oceanographer from the University of Rhode Island generated models which showed that, contrary to what American Aquafarms initially claimed, any discharge from the facility would not naturally flush out of the bay but would instead accumulate over time. Two independent economic studies confirmed the potential risk to both the local lobster industry as well as the tourism industry. Additionally, a short film was produced following the resistance effort and has been shown throughout the region. Finally, the town of Gouldsboro is in the process of formulating a new ordinance to ensure greater local control over future project proposals in the area and according to Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation, at least seven Downeast towns have placed temporary moratoriums on industrial-scale aquaculture projects – defined as larger than five acres.

The Future of Aquaculture in Maine

While there is no way to predict how the conflict in Frenchman Bay will ultimately unfold, it is clear that aquaculture – defined by National Ocean Service as the “breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and other organisms in all types of water environments” –  will continue to increase throughout Maine waters. Aside from salmon, several other marine organisms are farmed throughout Maine including but not limited to oysters, mussels, kelp, and seaweed.  Since 2014, aquaculture production volume and value has doubled, and this year, Maine SeaGrant released the Maine Aquaculture Roadmap, a ten year planning document. In the face of a changing marine environment, the report presents aquaculture as the ideal future for the state’s marine economy:

More people are beginning to call Maine home, ocean temperatures are rising faster in the Gulf of Maine than anywhere else, and historic fisheries along with the fishing industry are under pressure from numerous sources. While these challenge the state’s identity, they also bring opportunities to expand our rich marine heritage, provide a future for generations of working waterfront families, and create communities that work for all. One such opportunity is aquaculture: farming the sea.

Although aquaculture does present a significant economic opportunity for the state, there remains a lot of skepticism amongst many stakeholders, especially as the size and scale of projects increase – a fact that Maine SeaGrant’s Roadmap does not necessarily acknowledge. In fact, a number of scientists, small-business owners (including numerous shellfish farmers), and community members penned a letter in response to the report, arguing its narrow focus on economic development did not sufficiently address environmental concerns, discuss issues of equity and inclusion, or consider how aquaculture development may impact other marine-based livelihoods.

The case of Frenchman Bay has catapulted the topic of aquaculture into the spotlight, and has caused a number of stakeholders to encourage a timely review of aquaculture in Maine far beyond Maine SeaGrant’s plan. None of this is to say aquaculture does not have a place in Maine waters, but I think the biggest question remains unanswered. In the context of the climate crisis and growing demand for sustainable seafood, how does the state grow the industry in a way that is not only ecologically sound but that also aligns with local community needs and values? American Aquafarms’ project was denied due to a legal technicality. Would the project have been approved if they had found a legally acceptable source of eggs? There’s no obvious answer to that question, but the situation has shed light on the fact that the state of Maine’s regulatory framework may be unprepared to handle these specific types of industrial-scale projects – a point made by the authors of the letter to Maine SeaGrant as well.

There is a shared sentiment amongst opponents to the American Aquafarms project that Maine’s regulatory structure is currently unprepared for the projected expansion of aquaculture in the state. Organizations like Frenchman Bay United are now turning their focus toward this state-wide issue. President Henry Sharpe told me:

In the absence of a permit battle, we’ve been building a broad coalition to build support for reviewing and revising Maine’s outdated aquaculture regulations. Maine’s Brand is all about clean water, thriving natural habitats, pristine wilderness, and a robust, owner-operated working waterfront. Our aquaculture regulatory framework should reinforce and champion that brand, not undermine it.

Currently, there are very few limits on the size of leases as well as their duration, meaning a person or company could successfully develop large swaths of Maine waters for very long periods of time. Matt Dundas, the Director of Oceana’s Maine Aquaculture campaign, identifies a few specific areas of concern they intend to focus on, “In keeping with international norms, we’re urging the state to enact clear limits to the amount of biomass and the salmon stocking density inside the pens, neither of which currently exist in Maine’s rules.”

To Be Continued

“The threat of industrial aquaculture in Frenchman Bay hit a nerve, and now local advocates are determined to ensure that a project of such scale and with such magnitude of risk to the marine environment will happen neither in Frenchman Bay nor the rest of the state.”

“Although the future is uncertain, this remains a story about what happens when people from different walks of life are able to come together in support of a common cause.” 

In my opinion, the most remarkable part of this entire situation was the fervor and speed at which resistance was mobilized across a diverse array of interest groups. The threat of industrial aquaculture in Frenchman Bay hit a nerve, and now local advocates are determined to ensure that a project of such scale and with such magnitude of risk to the marine environment will happen neither in Frenchman Bay nor the rest of the state. Although the future is uncertain, this remains a story about what happens when people from different walks of life are able to come together in support of a common cause. I have immense admiration for the people of Downeast Maine, and the voracity with which they continue to fight for the integrity of their home and way of life.

The events at Frenchman Bay are a prime example of the acrimony that occurs when an external actor swoops in to impose its own vision with little to no consideration of local stakeholders’ concerns. Regardless of how aquaculture regulations are or are not changed, I believe it is extremely important that communities are included in the decisions being made about how to use the waters they rely on.