Harpswell Fisheries Committee Backs Intervenor on Contested Lease

The Harpswell Fisheries Committee voted to have member Matt Gilly serve as an intervenor against a contested aquaculture lease near Bombazine Island and agreed to send a letter asking the state to hold the related public hearing in Harpswell rather than Brunswick. The committee also heard a pitch to require oyster farmers to source seed from Maine hatcheries, discussed reviving a marine occupations course at Region 10, and supported converting Harbor Master Darcy Cocker's experimental oyster lease to a standard lease.

Key points

• The committee voted to make Matt Gilly an intervenor representing the committee on a contested standard lease application near Bombazine Island, citing landings data, a petition of harvesters, and prior committee opposition.
• Members agreed to send a letter to the Department of Marine Resources formally requesting that the public hearing be held in Harpswell, which they said is ADA compliant and has space, after DMR pulled an earlier hearing for improper notice.
• Darcy Cocker presented a proposal to require oyster farmers to source seed from in-state hatcheries, citing disease concerns with out-of-state seed; the committee discussed it and planned to revisit the idea.
• The committee supported Allison Hawks' request to open talks with SAD 75 and Region 10 about reinstating a marine occupations course, with members noting strong local interest among young people.
• The committee approved the municipal questionnaire for Cocker's conversion of her experimental lease near Lumbo's Hole to a standard lease, noting no complaints and no change in size.
• Cocker reported roughly $9,000 in working waterfront funding that could pay for AED and CPR training for fishermen, targeted for late January or early February.

Next steps

• Gilly will prepare the intervenor application and gather supporting evidence, including landings data and harvester signatures.
• Jay will draft the letter to DMR requesting the public hearing be held in Harpswell.
• The committee will coordinate with Allison Hawks on outreach to SAD 75 and Region 10 about the marine occupations course.
• Members will schedule AED and CPR training sessions, likely in late January or early February, and plan locations and sign-ups.
• The committee will set an alternate November meeting date by email because November 11 is a holiday.

Read the full transcript