In 2003, Sea Grant chose to focus some of its extension efforts on the Taunton Bay region in Downeast Maine, due to the high number of emerging marine-related issues in the region. For example, a five-year legislative closure of the bay to fishing by dragging mandated the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to conduct dragging impact experiments in the bay and prompted significant additional new research into the Taunton Bay system. The closure sparked a level of research and resource characterization unprecedented in other marine areas of its size in the state. Some residents and stakeholders are currently exploring opportunities to apply this information in planning for the bay's future. Taunton Bay also faces competing interests in the bay's use-including shellfish aquaculture, shorefront development, dragging, conservation interests, and recreational use-now common to many of Maine's coastal areas.

With the assistance of the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy, the Center for Research and Evaluation at the University of Maine, Maine Sea Grant's Policy Advisory Committee, and other MET members, Extension Associate Tracy Hart developed a survey to gather information about the priorities and concerns of those who live and work in the three towns bordering Taunton Bay and to assess what specific topics new educational, municipal training, or research programs could address to meet existing needs related to Taunton Bay. The survey was distributed to a random sample of 600 registered voters in the region and a diverse group of 71 responded to it. Hart analyzed the results and produced a final report, available both in print and online on Maine Sea Grant's Web site. The published report was disseminated to all respondents, municipal officials, and prominent stakeholders, and was issued to the general public through a press release. Hart has presented survey results to interested stakeholders at several public meetings.

The survey results indicate that Taunton Bay is clearly considered an important local resource for both its economic and non-economic benefits and that pollution runoff, development, and habitat loss are the greatest concerns of local respondents. A greater number of respondents supported shellfish aquaculture leases for the bay than opposed them, and all but 3 % of those who responded believe Taunton Bay should remain closed to dragging.

The report has already contributed to decision-making about Taunton Bay resources. Both proponents and opponents of a proposed shellfish aquaculture lease in Taunton Bay submitted the results for consideration in DMR's decision on the lease.

Click here for the Taunton Bay report Needs and Issues in the Taunton Bay Region PDF 530KB

Also see the Maine Department of Marine Resources Taunton Bay Assessment:
The Taunton Bay Assessment: Report by Maine DMR to Maine Legislature Marine Resources Committee PDF 1.02 MB