Protect Maine asks Stonington to consider aquaculture moratorium; lawmakers and experts debate scope

Representatives from Protect Maine asked the Stonington Selectmen to consider adopting a moratorium on aquaculture leases, citing concern about rapid lease applications and impacts on local waters. Mark Gallaher and Jon Lewis (a former Department of Marine Resources official) described perceived risks and procedural challenges around lease approval.

State Representative Genevieve McDonald, who sits on the Marine Resources committee, corrected several procedural points raised during the discussion and emphasized the existing application and public-notice processes. Town Manager Billings said the town had forwarded Protect Maine’s materials to municipal legal counsel and to the Maine Municipal Association for review.

Selectmen thanked the group for the briefing but tabled formal action pending legal review and additional guidance on the limits of local regulation. The board suggested more public discussion to determine whether ordinance or zoning changes are appropriate and noted that procedural due process and state jurisdictional law would shape any local policy response.