April 15, 2022 — The town of Gouldsboro’s attorney has drawn up a draft aquaculture licensing ordinance that would apply to all farming of marine fauna and flora — from Atlantic salmon to seaweed — and set standards and requirements for both land- and ocean-based ventures seeking to operate in or from the town. The incomplete, all-encompassing document requires further work before it can be presented at a public hearing and put to voters at a town meeting.
Many months in the works, Rudman Winchell attorney Tim Pease’s 23-page draft document Thursday evening was submitted to the Gouldsboro selectmen for their review. Pease will go through the proposed Aquaculture Licensing Ordinance in detail and answer questions at the Planning Board’s next regular meeting at 6 p.m. next Tuesday, April 19, at the Prospect Harbor Women’s Club. Pease and staff scrutinized existing municipal standards, policies and regulations concerning aquaculture development in Maine and beyond. In formulating the draft ordinance, they also were assisted in the process by and took into account much input from year-round and seasonal Gouldsboro residents as well as concerned citizens in neighboring Schoodic Peninsula towns.
Imposed late last fall, Gouldsboro’s six-month moratorium on 10-acre-plus finfish aquaculture development is due to expire May 15. As part of their regular meeting, Thursday, April 28, Gouldsboro Selectmen are scheduled to hold a public hearing to determine whether to end or extend the freeze. Sources expect the Select Board to continue the ban for another six months.
Read the full story at the Ellsworth American