As a reminder, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is hosting five listening sessions to gather input from stakeholders on the Aquaculture Leasing Program, which was reorganized and now falls under the Bureau of Public Health and Aquaculture.

In light of this reorganization, as well as increased interest in the blue economy, aquaculture in general and growing demands on the program, DMR wants to hear directly from stakeholders as it plots a course for the future.

DMR is holding in-person listening sessions in March at five locations in coastal communities. Each two-hour session is open to the public and will be professionally facilitated by Craig Freshley of Good Group Decisions in Brunswick.

The sessions are designed to foster an understanding of opportunities and challenges and to encourage discussion of the best ideas for moving forward with aquaculture in Maine. In addition to giving input at the sessions, stakeholders are also invited to submit written feedback. A report of all input received, including themes and leading ideas, will be prepared and made available afterwards.

Meeting Details

• Portland: Portland High School, 284 Cumberland Ave., March 6, 4-6 p.m.
• Belfast: Belfast Area High School, 98 Waldo Ave., March 7, 4-6 p.m.
• Newcastle: Lincoln Academy Cafeteria, 81 Academy Hill, March 13, 4-6 p.m.
• Machias: UMaine Machias, 116 Obrien Ave., March 14, 4-6 p.m.
• Ellsworth: Moore Community Center Theater, 133 State St., March 21, 4-6 p.m.

Session Guidelines

• Learn from each other about the opportunities and challenges we face and ideas for solutions.
• Get to know each other and build relations that will be helpful later.
• Sessions will focus on how to administer aquaculture leasing in accordance with the state criteria, not what the criteria should be. 
• All views are welcome and encouraged.
• Spoken and written comments are encouraged at the sessions (it will be helpful, although not required, to bring a laptop to write comments on the spot), and written comments will be welcome after until March 28, 2024.
• As many people as possible will be given a chance to speak and will limit individual people from speaking too much.
• Participants are encouraged to speak freely. Recording is permitted although respect and discretion should be applied to how recordings are used.
• Discussion and order of speakers to be managed by the facilitator.
• Volunteer note taking is encouraged.
• Please bring a laptop if you might like to be a note-taker for table discussions.