In Maine, aquaculture enterprises are increasing faster than some prefer. In 2018, Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation began working to slow down what it believed was an industry expanding too fast. The group is now attempting to curb aquaculture expansion by seeking moratoriums from municipalities. On Oct. 26, Boothbay selectmen heard a request to enact one on aquaculture expansion. Spokesperson Crystal Canney requested the moratorium on behalf of PMFHF. “All you need to do is look up and down the Maine coast and see what is happening,” she said. “We support aquaculture, but what we want is a more reasonable approach.”

The foundation is seeking a moratorium so municipalities can create ordinances to balance all the competing interests. Canney explained the foundation formed four years ago after an aquaculture business leased 40 acres in Maquoit Bay. “We’ve seen more come along different parts of the coast. We learned a lot from that go-around,” she said.

Canney was joined by Boothbay resident Jon Lewis, a former director of Maine’s Aquaculture Division. Lewis explained how the division began shortly after he arrived from Alaska in 1997. “No one knew how it worked, but we figured how to do it,” he said. “It was all good, but I later became concerned about the balance,” he said.

In the beginning, residents were the ones predominantly seeking aquaculture leases, but the industry changed as more venture capitalists emerged, Lewis said. “Residents have skin-in-the-game. Venture capitalists don’t have the same standard,” he said. 

Selectmen were hesitant to embrace the proposal. Selectman Russ Pinkham was a commercial fishermen for 25 years. He believes the state is a better option to regulate aquaculture. “I would have a hard time telling a friend not to put in an application, I understand concerns about large scale operations. I’m not for or against this, and we should look into this deeper,” he said.

But one resident believes now is the time. Sally Kent urged selectmen to enact a moratorium. In July, she and neighbor Drew Peck sent letters to the Department of Marine Resources opposing Pleasant Cove Oyster Farms’ application for a 20-year lease for a six-acre location in the Damariscotta River. The two believed a large oyster farm would destroy longstanding conservation agreements between the town and abutters. Later, the DMR approved Pleasant Cove’s request.

During the selectmen’s meeting. Kent conveyed her concerns about how the project would disrupt the river’s community. “This is a huge asset for Boothbay, but you can’t sail there anymore. You are trading one asset for another. The town needs to help us,” she said. 

Selectmen tabled further moratorium discussion and reached a consensus to schedule two public hearings and seek legal advice.