August 5, 2022 — A far-reaching licensing ordinance, which would prohibit finfish farms whose annual landed catch exceeds so many pounds from operating in town, has been drafted and continues to be refined by the Planning Board. The proposal is being commented on by the public in writing or by citizens who regularly attend online or in-person the board’s regular meetings the first and third Tuesday of each month.
In its current draft form, the “Finfish Aquaculture Licensing Ordinance” applies to enterprises seeking to raise salmon, trout, sturgeon, yellowtail and other species of finfish. Under Maine law, “finfish” are defined as cold-blooded marine animals having permanent gills and fins. Finfish aquaculture licenses would be required of entities seeking to raise finfish in land-based tanks in town or operate from Gouldsboro to tend the fish in ocean pens and land their catch here. The non-transferable license would be valid for one year and renewable for one-year periods only.
Finfish aquaculture operations whose annual catches fall below a yet-to-be-determined volume threshold would not require the license but may face compliance with other municipal ordinances.