"A Save the Bay Flotilla" to protest American Aquafarms' proposal to put over 20 massive salmon pens in the waters of Frenchman Bay just off Acadia National Park is being organized for SUNDAY AUGUST 29th at 9:30 am. All working and recreational boats from around the bay are invited to participate.
The event has been organized by local restaurateur and businesswoman Leslie Harlow, who
said: "The synergy of tourism, lobstering, owner-operator independent aquaculture operations, and recreational boating works beautifully on Frenchman Bay. A proposal of this magnitude threatens all of that."
Boats will gather near one of the two proposed sixty-acre pen sites off the Hop (Long Porcupine) at 9:30 am from there the flotilla will proceed to the proposed industrial aquaculture site and then parade through Bar Harbor before dispersing. Lobstermen, pleasure boaters, kayakers, and owners of all links of working and recreational watercraft are encouraged to join and to fly signs and banners in opposition to the project.
Hancock Lobsterman and Protect Maine's Fishing Heritage Foundation board member Zach Piper said, "Without question, this project has the potential to devastate the lobster industry in this area. We need to make sure this never happens and then fix the rules and regulations that got us here in the first place. If we don't stop this project, it will only be the beginning of selling our entire coastline to out-of-state investors who don't care one bit about our heritage or jobs like mine that depend on a healthy, clean environment."
Harlow is working on this event in conjunction with Frenchman Bay United, a coalition of groups and individuals working to stop the American Aquafarms project. More information can be found at frenchmanbayunited.org or contact: Leslie Harlow 207-266-0621 leslieharlow123@gmail.com
