March 22, 2019 — Save Maquoit Bay, a group formed to address issues with aquaculture, and lobstermen from around the state have submitted a petition to the Department of Marine Resources requesting an immediate moratorium on aquaculture leases greater than 10 acres in size.
The petition has 189 signatures, 39 more than required to open rulemaking around aquaculture leases, according to a news release.
The petition comes in the wake of an application by Mere Point Oyster Co. for a 40-acre lease in the bay, which is in the north end of Casco Bay, in between Freeport and Brunswick. The application, for a 10-year lease, is to cultivate Eastern oysters, bay scallops and sea scallops.
Mere Point Oyster Co. is owned by Dan Devereaux and Doug Niven.
Supporters of the petition spoke about it at a Tuesday news conference at the State House.