Published by Penobscot Bay Press on September 4, 2025.
STONINGTON—More than 150 people gathered at the Stonington Opera House on August 27 for a screening of the Island Institute’s latest film, Aquaculture for People and Planet.
The film, the seventh in a series examining the impact of climate change on the coast of Maine and its blue economy, was introduced by Kim Hamilton, the president of the Island Institute.
“The intent is to shed light on aquaculture and its growing importance in our marine economy,” Hamilton said, “and to talk about the climate and environmental benefits of aquaculture— how it supports the working waterfront and climate issues as well.”Blue Economy
Asked about the perception that there may be conflict between aquaculture and the wild fisheries, Hamilton said, “That hasn’t come up in any of our conversations. Once aquaculturists become part of the community, folks see people being hired, realize how responsible the farming is, high nutrition, low emission; folks really begin to understand the value. There’s a lot of learning to be done at the community level about what this really means.”
The film looks at the ways in which Maine’s burgeoning aquaculture farming—its shellfish and seaweed industries—are leading the way in climate-friendly food production. Supporting that effort, the Island Institute is working closely with Maine’s seafood businesses to lower their carbon footprints, increase resilience, preserve the working waterfront, and build a sustainable seafood economy.
Abby Barrows, the owner and operator of Deer Isle Oyster Company, joined Island Institute staff to answer audience questions following the screening. Over the past ten years, Barrows has built a sustainable business farming oysters and seaweed.
A scientist by training, Barrows is committed to lowering her farm’s carbon footprint and drastically reducing the use of plastics by developing natural, biodegradable lines, nets, and floats.
Barrows spoke about the licensing process that aquaculture farms are required to go through—a process that can take up to three years, with another three years added to that before marketable products (in her case, oysters) can be taken to market.
“You are licensing from the state access to public property, and with that comes responsibility,” Barrow said, “Maine has some of the most stringent aquaculture application requirements in the world. The regulations are robust, but worth going through. You are going to be the steward of your leased area for the next 20 years.”
Audience member, Linda Nelson, Stonington’s director of economic and community development, pointed out that, “we have to be more independent locally. We can’t rely on federal funding; it disappears, goes up, goes down.”
Nelson then asked the panel what, in their opinions, were the most important things local municipalities can do to support sustainable aquaculture.
The answers focused on community involvement, the need for individuals to take the time to understand the challenges the blue economy faces from climate change and commercial pressure.
At the same time, the panelists noted, given the challenges faced by wild fisheries, aquaculture presents tremendous opportunities to build a sustainable industry while protecting the working waterfront and generating economic activity in the community.
