Selectmen confront fisheries pressures — lobster industry concerns and calls for an aquaculture moratorium

Stonington Selectmen and community groups spent several meetings in spring and summer addressing mounting concerns in the local marine economy, including the lobster industry’s reaction to recent legal developments and citizen calls for an aquaculture lease moratorium.

At a Sept. 12 meeting selectmen discussed a Sept. 8 court ruling (reported in meeting materials) and the Seafood Watch listing and what those developments could mean for lobster fishing, trap reductions and industry viability. TM Billings and board members described outreach to collaborators, possible gear changes such as ropeless gear trials, and public relations efforts to raise awareness of fisheries concerns.

In early May Protect Maine representatives, including Mark Gallagher and former DMR official Jon Lewis, asked the board to consider a temporary moratorium on aquaculture leases while the town and region review legal interpretations and potential cumulative impacts. Rep. Genevieve McDonald attended and described the state process as she understood it; attendees and board members discussed legal jurisdiction and the limits of municipal authority. TM Billings said she had forwarded materials to municipal legal counsel and MMA legal for review.

Harbor Committee materials referenced changes to pier/harbor operations, mooring policy and skiff lotteries that the committee said were intended to balance transient boating needs with long‑term mooring allocations; the committee also noted fuel and dealer losses on the pier and recommended no changes to committee terms during a yearly review. The board approved small harbor purchases (for example, a $600 safety pump) and adopted pier terms and conditions for 2023 in recorded votes.

Why it matters: Fisheries and aquaculture decisions affect livelihoods, town revenue from harbor services and local marine habitat; legal questions about leases and court rulings could change how fisheries operate and require coordinated regional responses.

What’s next: The board requested legal review of moratorium options and said staff would continue outreach with industry stakeholders and regional partners; harbor committee recommendations will inform operational and permitting decisions.