Target: Melanie Loyzim, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Goal: Protect water quality and preserve fragile ecosystems.
Maine’s pristine waters, renowned for their beauty and biodiversity, are under an imminent threat from the expanding open-pen fish farming industry. These operations, originally intended to promote sustainable aquaculture, have evolved into a source of environmental degradation. The unregulated proliferation of open-pen fish farms poses a grave risk to cherished water bodies.
Open-pen fish farming results in the release of excessive nutrients, antibiotics, and harmful chemicals into waterways. These substances, detrimental to aquatic life, disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems. Invasive species and diseases introduced by these operations can further harm native species and jeopardize water quality.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is entrusted with safeguarding the state’s natural resources. However, its current policies fail to adequately regulate open-pen fish farming, allowing these operations to expand unchecked. This poses an immediate threat to the lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, affecting not only Maine residents but also the countless visitors who cherish the pristine environment.
Sign the petition below to demand immediate action to stop the expansion of open-pen fish farming in Maine, preserving the water quality and protecting the unique ecosystems.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Loyzim,
We are writing to express deep concern about the unchecked expansion of open-pen fish farming operations in Maine. Our state’s breathtaking water bodies, renowned for their purity and rich biodiversity, are facing an existential threat due to the detrimental effects of these operations.
Open-pen fish farms, once envisioned as a sustainable aquaculture solution, have become sources of environmental degradation. The excessive release of nutrients, antibiotics, and harmful chemicals into our waters poses a significant risk to aquatic life and disrupts the ecological balance that defines our natural heritage.
Furthermore, the introduction of invasive species and diseases from these fish farms threatens not only native species but also the overall health of our water bodies. This is a matter of great concern, not only for Maine residents but also for the countless visitors who come to appreciate the unparalleled beauty of our state.
We implore you to take immediate and decisive action to halt the expansion of open-pen fish farming in Maine. We must prioritize the preservation of our water quality and the protection of our fragile ecosystems for the well-being of current and future generations.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Wallpaper Flare
