AUGUSTA - Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, introduced LD 427 Monday before the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which proposes a bond of $25 million for research, development and commercialization in Maine's marine technology and aquaculture sectors to help expand employment and preserve existing jobs.
"Investing in our aquaculture sector will help us maintain our working waterfronts and lower our state's carbon footprint," said Rielly. "Aquaculture is one of the most efficient and sustainable ways of producing food. This sector has immense potential that will complement commercial fishing and could make Maine a leader in the development of a new blue economy for the 21st century."
According to the Maine Aquaculture Roadmap published by the Maine Aquaculture Hub in 2014, 107 Maine aquaculture businesses generated a statewide economic contribution of $137.6 million, including 1,078 full- and part-time jobs. By 2025, Maines aquaculture exports are predicted to net $230-$800 million.
"We need sustainable, environmentally friendly and local sources of food," said Rielly. "Aquaculture can address this while retaining our coastal heritage and preserving our working waterfronts as Maine weathers environmental changes due to the climate crisis. LD 427 offers a solution to invest in addressing these ongoing challenges."
The bill will have a work session in the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee in the coming weeks.
Rielly is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. He represents House District 127, which includes a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Rielly], 305-965-2744