State Regulatory & Legislative Updates

Updated: 9/13/23

Maine Department of Marine Resources: Regulatory Changes

These are regulation updates for the Department of Marine Resources that specifically pertain to aquaculture. If you have questions about how these updates may affect your proposed or existing operations, please contact the Department of Marine Resources at [email protected] or 207-633-9594.

Recently Proposed Regulations:

• N/A

Recently Adopted Regulations:

• Chapter 2 Aquaculture Regulations - Effective August 14, 2023
• Chapter 115, Vibrio parahaemolyticus Control Plan - Effective April 21, 2022
• Chapter 24 - Importation of Live Marine Organism - Effective August 5, 2021
• Chapter 2.95 Water Quality Classifications and Shellfish Aquaculture; Maximum Seed Sizes in Prohibited Areas - Effective March 9, 2021
• Chapter 94 Sanitary Control of Molluscan Shellfish - Effective March 9, 2021
• Chapter 115 Vibrio parahaemolyticus Control Plan - Effective March 9, 2021
• Chapter 2 Aquaculture Regulations - Effective August 24, 2020
• Chapter 8 Landings Program Aquaculture Reporting - Effective March 12, 2020
• Chapter 94 Sanitary Control of Molluscan Shellfish - Effective November 8, 2019
• Chapter 2 Aquaculture Leasing Regulations - Effective April 1, 2019
• Chapter 115, Vibrio parahaemolyticus Control Plan - Effective March 13, 2019

Maine State Legislation: Bills and Hearings

These are legislation updates from the Maine Legislature Committee On Marine Resources that specifically pertain to aquaculture. The Marine Resources Committee is located in room 206 of the Cross Building and is responsible for managing commercial marine fisheries, fish species, and aquaculture.

131st Maine State Legislature- First Regular Session (2022-2023):

• An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Invest in Research, Development and Commercialization in Maine's Marine Technology and Aquaculture Sector (LD 427) - To Be Determined
  • Public Hearing - April 24, 2023 at 10:00 am State House, Room 228 - Review Testimony
  • Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs - July 25, 2023 "Carry Over Request Approved"
• Resolve, Directing the Department of Environmental Protection to Review Regulation of Waste Discharge from Finfish Aquaculture Facilities (LD 508) Amendment - Unsigned Law
  • Public Hearing - April 20, 2023 at 1:00 pm Cross Building, Room 216 - Review Testimony
  • Committee on Environment and Natural Resources - May 10, 2023 Voted "Divided Report"/ May 22, 2023, Voted "Ought to Pass as Amended"/"Ought not to Pass"
  • House Action - June 1, 2023, Finally Passed
  • Senate Action - June 6, 2023, Finally Passed
  • June 18, 2023, Became Law without Governor's Signature
• An Act to Assist Municipal Shellfish Conservation Programs (LD 581) - Enacted
  • Public Hearing - March 9, 2023 at 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 206 - Review Testimony
  • Committee on Marine Resources - March 23, 2023, Voted "Ought to Pass as Amended"
  • House Action - May 16, 2023, Voted "Passed to be Enacted"
  • Senate Action - May 18, 2023, Voted "Passed to be Enacted"
  • Signed by Governor - May 22, 2023, Enacted
• An Act to Make Technical Changes to Maine's Marine Resources Laws (LD 16) - Enacted
  • Public Hearing - May 4, 2023 at 1:00 pm Cross Building, Room 206 - Review Testimony
  • Committee on Marine Resources - May 4, 2023 Voted "Ought to Pass as Amended"
  • House Action - June 12, 2023, Voted "Passed to be Enacted"
  • Senate Action - June 12, 2023, Voted "Passed to be Enacted"
  • Signed by Governor - June 16, 2023, Enacted
• An Act to Regulate Oyster Seed (LD 711) - Dead
  • Public Hearing - April 6, 2023 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 206 - Review Testimony
  • Committee on Marine Resources - April 6, 2023, Voted "Ought Not to Pass"
• An Act to Protect Maine Fisheries from the Effects of Industrial Recirculating Aquaculture Operations (LD 586) - Dead
  • Public Hearing - March 16, 2023 at 1:05 PM, Cross Building, Room 206 - Review Testimony
  • Committee on Marine Resources - March 23, 2023, Voted "Ought Not to Pass"
• An Act to Establish Coastal Waters and Submerged Lands Regional Planning Commissions (LD 487) - Dead
  • Public Hearing - March 16, 2023 at 1:00 PM, Cross Building, Room 206 - Review Testimony
  • Committee on Marine Resources - March 23, 2023, Voted "Ought Not to Pass"
• An Act to Establish the Maine Mariculture Development Collaborative (LD 352) - Dead
  • Public Hearing - April 20, 2023 at 1:00 pm, Cross Building, Room 206- No testimony provided
  • Committee on Marine Resources - April 20, 2023, Voted "Ought Not to Pass"

130th Maine State Legislature- Second Regular Session (2021-2022):

• An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Right To Know Advisory Committee Concerning Public Records Exceptions Related to Research and Aquaculture Leases (LD 1972)
  • Enacted April 7, 2022
• An Act to Provide for Special Fees for Certain Aquaculture Lease Applications and to Amend Other Provisions in the Laws Governing Aquaculture Leases (LD 1844)
  • Enacted April 4, 2022

130th Maine State Legislature- First Regular Session (2020-2021):

• An Act To Exempt Land-based Aquaculture Facilities from the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code Requirements (LD 1473)
  • Dead
• Resolve, To Create the Study Group To Research Balancing Development and Conservation in Maine's Coastal Waters and Submerged Lands (LD 1211)
  • Dead
• An Act To Protect Maine's Ocean Waters and Support Regulatory Oversight and the Long-term Health of the Aquaculture Industry (LD 1146)
  • Dead
• An Act To Make Technical Changes to Maine's Marine Resources Laws (LD 263)
  • Enacted June 11, 2021
• An Act To Amend Maine's Aquaculture Leasing and Licensing Statutes (LD 106)
  • Enacted May 5, 2021

129th Maine State Legislature (2019-2020):

• An Act To Amend Maine's Aquaculture Leasing and Licensing Statutes (LD 1930)
  • Dead Due to Covid-19 Shutdown of the 129th Legislature
• An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Composition of the Shellfish Advisory Council (LD 1906)
  • Enacted March 17, 2020