Rockweed Harvesting - Ascophyllum nodosum is a vital keystone species that provides a home for all kinds of marine species and it is a major contributor to the primary productivity of the area as well. Some folks are concerned about the harvest while others feel that a "sustainable" harvest is possible. Opponents are concerned about the opening up of Cobscook Bay. Cobscook and the Head Harbour Passage area form an important "ecological engine" that feeds the Bay area and the northern part of the Gulf of Maine. If you are concerned you can sign a petition here.
Please see our new rockweed website!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rockweedcoalition.org
The Rockweed Coalition
From: Quoddy Regional Land Trust
ReplyDeleteSent: Friday, February 27, 2009 3:36 PM
Subject: Support the Rockweed Moratorium on Cobscook Bay
Senator Kevin Raye has introduced a bill (LD 345) to regulate the rockweed harvest in Cobscook Bay. Now we need to show our support for a strong bill that includes a moratorium to allow time to develop meaningful regulations.
Please sign the citizen's petition for a moratorium on rockweed harvesting. Here's how:
1) Sign a paper petition at one of the following locations:
LUBEC: McFadden's; Quick Shop
WHITING: Quoddy Regional Land Trust office
PEMBROKE: Pembroke library
PERRY: Perry Farmer's Union
EASTPORT: Peavey Memorial Library (on the bulletin board inside the front door).
2) Or you can sign an electronic petition, located here: http://www.rockweedcoalition.org/pages/contact.shtml
Please also contact Senator Raye (and cc the Rockweed Coalition at rockweedcoalition@gmail.com) and voice your support for a moratorium in Cobscook Bay! If you have time, contact the cosponsors too.
Senator Kevin Raye (Sponsor)
Home Email SenatorRaye@wwsisp.com
Home Phone: (207) 853-9406
Home Address: 63 Sunset Cove Lane, Perry ME 04667
Rep. David C. Burns (Cosponsor)
Home Email: DavidBurns32@gmail.com
State House Email: RepDavid.Burns@legislature.maine.gov
Home Phone: (207) 733-8856
Home Address: 159 Dodge Road, Whiting ME 04691
Rep. Howard E. McFadden (Cosponsor)
Home Email: mcfaddenh@roadrunner.com
State House Email: RepHoward.McFadden@legislature.maine.gov
Home Phone: (207) 726-4676
Home Address: 19 Shipyard Road, Dennysville ME 04628
Rep. Anne C. Perry (Cosponsor)
Home Email: aperry@maineline.net
State House Email: RepAnne.Perry@legislature.maine.gov
Home Phone: (207) 454-7338
Home Address: 474 South Street, Calais ME 04619
Rep. Donald G. Soctomah (Cosponsor)
Home Email: soctomah@ainop.com
Home Phone: (207) 214-4051
Home Address: PO Box 159, Indian Township ME 04668
Rep. Dianne Tilton (Cosponsor)
Home Email: dtilton@maineline.net
State House Email: RepDianne.Tilton@leglislature.maine.gov
Home Telephone: (207) 483-6050
Home Address: 1247 US Highway 1A, Harrington ME 04643
BACKGROUND: In response to the concerns of many fishermen, shorefront landowners, conservation organizations, municipal and county officials, and other citizens, Senator Raye has introduced LD 345, An Act To Regulate the Rockweed Harvest in Cobscook Bay. The bill is cosponsored by all of our area's state representatives: Burns of Whiting, McFadden of Dennysville, Perry of Calais, Soctomah of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Tilton of Harrington. As of now, the bill has no text. We want a moratorium to be included.
The following organizations have passed resolutions supporting either a moratorium or more strict regulation:
1. Passamaquoddy Tribe
2. Town of Lubec
3. City of Eastport
4. Town of Pembroke
5. Washington County Commissioners
6. Cobscook Bay Fishermen's Association
7. Quoddy Regional Land Trust
See http://www.rockweedcoalition.org
This site also has information on rockweed, its importance for Cobscook Bay, and the impacts of poorly regulated harvesting.
To see dramatic photos of damage to rockweed beds in Cobscook Bay in the summer of 2008, go to:
http://www.rockweedcoalition.org/pages/photosdocuments.shtml
Thank you! To see the Quoddy Regional Land Trust's position on rockweed harvesting, visit our website at www.qrlt.org
Alan Brooks
Executive Director
Quoddy Regional Land Trust
PO Box 49, Whiting ME 04691