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

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.

Agenda

Department of Marine Resources Public Health and Aquaculture Bureau Director Kohl Kanwit will say a few words of welcome. Facilitator Craig Freshley will explain the session agenda and ground rules. We will quickly take stock of who?s in the room.

Kohl Kanwit will provide a brief overview of industry trends and expected future growth. She will also explain the basics of how aquaculture leasing currently works, with special attention to the State?s eight criteria.

Participants will be encouraged to react to the ideas shared by the stakeholders and provide their own ideas.