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Harpswell aquaculture committee reviews multiple lease requests, elects chair and officers
Summary
A Harpswell aquaculture review committee reviewed several limited‑purpose aquaculture (LPA) applications, voiced concern about high aquaculture density near pogy fishing grounds, cleared one small application to pursue DMR approval, and unanimously approved a slate of officers and a July meeting hiatus.
The Harpswell aquaculture review committee spent its meeting reviewing multiple limited‑purpose aquaculture (LPA) applications, debating how dense aquaculture leases interact with local pogy (forage fish) fishing, and voting to keep the committee’s current officer slate.
The committee approved the meeting minutes by voice vote and heard multiple applicants seeking LPA placement or succession of existing sites. Committee members repeatedly raised the potential for conflict where proposed lease sites cluster near known pogy grounds, urging applicants to tuck sites into protected nooks or reline gear to minimize interference with net and troll fisheries.
The committee’s practical guidance varied by application. Tori (Middle Bay) was advised to submit revised coordinates if she wishes to avoid pogy territory; Jared, who sought to take over Jim Hayes’s existing site, was told LPAs are not directly transferable and that Jim would need to remain on record until any DMR grant decision and could sign a relinquishment letter if DMR later approved the new applicant. Max, seeking to reestablish a long‑standing site on Bombazine Island that lapsed, was told the committee remained reluctant to reinstate leases in areas now used by pogy fishermen without clearer state guidance or a smaller footprint. Brendan Casey was told his proposed 400‑square‑foot LPA in a protected Long Cove nook appears acceptable for him to pursue with DMR.
Committee members emphasized the interplay between local legacy uses and state spacing rules. "That thousand‑foot buffer the DMR put in is meant to keep leases from being butt‑to‑cheek," one member said, noting the state rule is intended to spread leases and limit conflicts. Members also warned against setting a precedent that would reclaim areas recently regained by other fisheries.
The meeting produced three clear formal outcomes: the minutes were approved; the committee voted to re‑elect George as chair, keep Samantha (Sam) as vice chair, and keep Jay as secretary; and members voted to cancel the July 8 meeting, scheduling the next meeting for Aug. 12.
Actions recorded in the meeting minutes show the committee is trying to balance longstanding aquaculture operations with the recent reappearance of forage‑fish fisheries in inshore areas. Applicants were encouraged to coordinate application details with harbor staff and DMR and to avoid eelgrass and high‑density zones when possible.
The committee closed with reminders that DMR ultimately decides lease grants and that applicants should communicate with state staff where there are pending DMR leases that could affect eligibility.
