PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 2, 2026
The Maine Aquaculture Association purports to promote “economically and environmentally sustainable business practices” and has described its advocacy for clean water in strong terms. A recent presentation, however, did not acknowledge or address alleged Clean Water Act violations and pending litigationinvolving Cooke Aquaculture, a major player in Maine’s aquaculture industry. Nor did it address concerns about the ownership and financial interests behind Maine shellfish aquaculture operations, including reports of oyster aquaculture lease interests being controlled by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, a multibillion-dollar foreign institutional investor. ~ Kelsey Fenwick, St. George