From SEA FARM to TABLE

BY JOSH DEAKIN

The state of Maine is renowned for its seafood. People travel from all over to try our lobster, salmon, oysters, and more — much of which is produced through aquaculture. Aquaculture is the farming of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants.

Aquaculturists utilize rivers, special cages in the ocean, and recirculating tanks on land to raise various plants and animals. According to the Maine Aquaculture Association, “Aquaculture provides over 50 percent of the world’s seafood supply, a figure which is expected to reach 63 percent by the year 2030..

The Maine Aquaculture Association has been around since 1978, focusing on growing shellfish, fin fish, and sea vegetables. As their mission statement states, “We have worked to support Maine’s aquatic growers in developing economically and environmentally sustainable business practices, promote the benefits of aquaculture in the local food system, and preserve Maine’s heritage of a vibrant working waterfront.”

So, why not just go fishing? Well, there’s simply too many people. The world’s population grows every year and it’s become a bigger obstacle to create a sustainable food source system.

“Seafood has the lowest feed conversion ratio of all animal protein, requiring only 1.1 lbs of feed to produce 1 lb of body mass,” the Maine Aquaculture Association states. “Environmentally responsible aquaculture is an important tool to fight food insecurity while managing the Earth’s natural resources for future generations.”

Maine’s coastal waters have been an integral part of the aquaculture industry. In 2018, there were a reported 190 individual aquatic farms in the state. In 2019, there was a total of 1,558 acres of coastal waters designated for aquaculture. The industry has supported over 500 jobs, and in 2018 alone the Maine Department of Marine Resources reported $72 million in harvest value.

According to the Maine Aquaculture Association, “Maine farmers raised Atlantic salmon, blue oysters, blue mussels, different species of seaweed, scallops, soft shell clams, razor clams, surf clams, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, halibut, and green sea urchins.” This showcases how Maine’s aquatic farmers have diversified since the 1970s when the product was focused solely on oysters, mussels, and salmon.

Over the years, Maine’s aquaculture industry has become even more important. While the economy used to be lush with different types of fisheries including cod, flounder, and skate, today most of Maine’s fisheries have focused primarily on the American lobster. According to the

Maine Aquaculture Association, “While Maine’s lobster fishery is remarkably well-managed, the industry is threatened by changing ocean temperatures, acidification and pollution, and increased pressures on fishermen including rising bait prices and whale protection regulations.”

In addition to these challenges, there is a moratorium in place where commercial fishing licenses have a waiting period of up to 10 years for prospective captains. The barriers to entry are high for this industry and makes it hard for the younger generation to get involved.

The aquaculture industry provides an entry point for people to work on the water and benefit the state’s marine economy. The Maine Aquaculture Association states on their website, “The industry may help mitigate environmental and economic issues by providing jobs and keeping working waterfronts alive in Maine, ensuring that future generations may continue to access and make a living on the water.”