Many Maine citizens are concerned about the growth of the state's aquaculture industry. These concerns include environmental impacts, other effects on wild stocks, conflicts with capture fisheries, and the aesthetics of gear in nearshore areas. Public hearings on aquaculture leases have become heated and extremely contentious. Often, concerns are based on faulty or incomplete information, compromising the effectiveness of public hearings. In addition, there are many cases where concerned individuals have felt a lack of opportunity to raise issues for discussion, during the evaluation and approval of a proposed aquaculture site. Consequently, there remain unanswered questions, controversial decisions and, in some cases, misinformation that is circulated among community members in areas where aquaculture facilities are being proposed.

To provide an opportunity for citizens to openly discuss issues and concerns prior to the formal public hearing, members of the Marine Extension Team have been holding informational meetings in those areas where aquaculture facilities are proposed. At the request of either the fish farmer or community members, Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension have organized and facilitated several of these meetings, which address general topics in aquaculture, as well as specific lease applications, and provide accurate and scientifically based information.

Many participants said they had learned enough at the meetings to be able to participate more effectively at formal hearings. During these open forums, industry members have also benefited from meeting citizens who are concerned about aquaculture. In one case, the fish farmer changed his proposal to accommodate some local concerns of which he was previously unaware. Another meeting empowered several shorefront property owners to work through their local legislator to change the public notification statute to increase the number of abutting property owners that must receive site plans from an aquaculture lease applicant. The Department of Marine Resources has recognized the value of bringing people together informally, and is re-examining their policy on soliciting public input for new leases.

According to Dave Schmanska, Harbormaster in St. George, "Informational meetings coordinated by Sea Grant facilitate the exchange of ideas necessary to making informed decisions."

For more information, contact Dana Morse, Ron Beard, or Sherman Hoyt.