February 29, 2024 — The Maine Department of Marine Resources introduced a bill to make processing aquaculture leases more efficient. But a reduction in public notices and tighter requirements for a public hearing have raised the ire of numerous fishermen and community groups all along the coast.
Bill LD 2065, sponsored by Rep. Alison Hepler of district 49, would reduce the number of required public notices of an aquaculture lease or lease change from two to one, and increase the number of people it takes to request a public hearing on an aquaculture lease from five to 25. It also streamlines the process of converting an experimental lease into a standard lease.
According to Crystal Canney, executive director of the Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation, the changes limit public participation in the leasing process of public waters.