BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 6, 2022
Penobscot could join a growing number of municipalities along Maine’s coast that have enacted moratoriums on large-scale aquaculture operations. Cutler, Winter Harbor, Machiasport, Beals, Addison, Roque Bluffs and Gouldsboro have all passed moratoriums. Most towns moved toward the moratorium after American Aquafarms proposed a massive salmon farm in Frenchman Bay. That project, which has been met with widespread opposition, is currently in limbo after its application was rejected by the state in April. Cutler grew concerned about aquaculture projects when the state proposed rearing salmon in net pens in the town’s harbor. That project was withdrawn last year. Moratoriums have failed in other towns, including recently in Jonesport. Other towns have questioned if they even have the ability to govern aquaculture.