SUN JOURNAL • October 23, 2026
Before leases are renewed or industrial salmon farming expands, we call on the commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources and the next governor and Maine Legislature to enforce stronger accountability, transparency and public input. The burden should not fall on coastal residents to prove harm after the fact. Companies operating in public waters should face strong monitoring, clear reporting and real enforcement from the start, with that information easily accessible so communities can see what is being discharged, what regulators are tracking and how they are responding. Protections for our waters only matter if they are enforced. ~ Rock Alley, Jonesport lobsterman and president of Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation; Jason Faulkingham, lobsterman from Beals