These questions were asked at the July 22, 2021, Board of Selectmen’s Meeting. Staff promised to submit these questions to AA. In light of the recent postponement of the in-person meeting with AA Executives, these questions were given a “preliminary” answer for area citizens to be informed. These are AA’s answers to those questions. This Q&A does not reflect the opinion or position of the Town of Gouldsboro, or staff.
For further questions, call:
American Aquafarms representative:
e: thomas.j.brennan@americanaquafarms.com
p: 207.405.7451
Questions that were asked at the meeting to be answered:
- Q: What are the jobs?
- A: Jobs will be full-time and year-round. The jobs will require both skilled and unskilled labor. Jobs such as Operators, Line Leaders, Technicians, Cleaning, Administration, Vessel Crew, Pen Operators, Pen Technicians, Maintenance, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, Biologists, Veterinarians, Daycare / Health Center Staff, and Other Miscellaneous Jobs.
- Q: How many jobs will there be?
- A: AA estimate job creation will be around 75-90 Full-Time Employees for the offshore operation. Direct job creation for onshore operations at processing and hatcher is estimated to be significantly higher and will be over 100.
- Q: How many hours will they comprise as in crews?
- A: Year-round jobs. We anticipate 8 hour shifts.
- Q: Is training necessary?
- A: Yes, depending on the job type training or certifications may be required. AA will provide training programs, as well as initiate programs with educational institutions. AA will provide opportunities for internships, exchange programs, etc.
- Q: What is the pay?
- A: Depending on qualifications and responsibilities the range of pay will be competitive and reflective of comparable industry wage rates. Training and development programs will provide the opportunity for career development with increased wage rates and responsibilities.
- Q: What is the good side?
- A: Please see: https://americanaquafarms.com/facts.
- Based on estimated population growth. Global food production needs to double from 2010 to 2050.
- Protein needs of the planet are outpacing our ocean’s ability to produce and global fishing resources are stretched beyond sustainable levels.
- Farmed fish carbon footprint is less than 1/7 of an equivalent pound of beef.
- 90% fish in US is imported and flown in from China, Chile, Norway, and Vietnam.
- Growing it here reduces the carbon footprint of ~100,000 metric tons of carbon per year (equivalent to 31,000 vehicles) for the annual production coming from this one facility.
- Maine is 4-6 hours from 1/3 of the US population, making it ideal for raising and delivering a fresh product to market.
- Deeper, clean, cool and sheltered water is ideal for raising this species.
- Job creation for high paying, year-round employment with benefits for a wide variety of skill sets from unskilled labor to PhD’s.
- Technical skill development, leveraging Norwegian world class experience with our Community College and University Systems.
- Community benefit from tax revenues estimated at millions of $’s annually, and 5 to 1 direct payroll multiplier that significantly stimulates the local economy.
- Maintains and preserves a working waterfront.
- The economic benefit of the combined 20 acres of pens will substantially increase the economic output from this area.
- It provides diversity in the ocean economy, and options for a predicted 62% downturn in lobster landings by 2050.
- We are currently working on finding a viable route for a permit for using salmon cuts and bi products as lobster bait for the local community.
- It maintains and preserves the working waterfront for generations to come.
- Reduced dependency of seasonal industries.
- Both offshore and onshore activities are planned for year-round operation, independent of seasonality. Jobs and other economic input/output will be stable and reliable.
- It will also mean more options for high quality job alternatives in the local community and diversification of economic resource dependency.
- Reliable and significant contribution to local tax base.
- Although an exact estimation of the tax base will rely on a number of assumptions, the establishment and scale of operations of offshore fish farms together with a processing and hatcher will more than likely create a significant contribution to both local as well as state and federal tax base.
- Development of local expertise and knowledge.
- Creation of local economic engine
- AA plans to develop a processing plant, hatchery and waste handling facilities in close proximity to the offshore lease sites will have a significant positive impact on the local economy directly through investment and use of a wide range of services. This will most likely not only re-vitalize existing business supply chains but create scope for development of a range of new business to both second and third degrees.
- Preservation and development of marine heritage
- Establishing a processing plant and a hatcher in close proximity to offshore bases salmon farms ensures a working waterfront and development of the local marine heritage, bringing it into a sustainable future.
- American Aquafarms facility will provide stable year-round jobs with reasonable pay and health benefits.
- Q: Is AA financially viable
- A: Yes.
- Q: Is AA getting a loan from the State?
- A: No.
- Q: Has the factory been purchased by AA, yet?
- A: No. We are currently in negotiations with the owner to acquire the property as a preferred option for development of land site.
- Q: What will this do to the bottom of the ocean in that area?
- A: Nothing. Unlike an open net pen, solids are collected and do not cover the bottom with sediments.
- Q: What is going to happen to the resources in that part of the ocean when the pens are placed and the generators and pumps are constantly going?
- A: The pens will have no negative impact to the marine habitats in the bay, and will not impact other resources. Please see applications to DEP and DMR for a detailed outline.
- Q: How do we derail this process?
- A: AA is in the process of applying for lease sites. AA will follow and expect to meet all federal, state and local regulations and requirements.
- Q: Who will make the final decision on this process?
- A: The final decisions will be made by the DMR, DEP, and US Army Corps of Engineers. Each has their own review process and review criteria, and the project must meet their criteria to receive permits.
- Q: Has the State asked for an Independent Impact Statement from AA yet?
- A: No.
- Q: Are the Corp of Engineers required environmentally to ask for a Independent Impact Statement if they are required to make an investigation?
- A: No.
- Q: Is there a set time that the Corp entities have to wait if they get turned down between being turned down and trying to pitch this elsewhere in other countries?
- A: No.
- Q: What exactly will they be doing inside the factory?
- A: The planned activities are as follows:
- Processing and packaging fish to be sold in the US Markets.
- Treating the collected waste from the pens.
- Hatcher for smolt for the pens.
- Q: How much water will be used?
- A: The facility will be supplied by existing wells on site.
- Q: What will they use?
- A: Please elaborate.
- Q: How will the long boats come in and out constantly?
- A: We will seek local input to establish seasonal routes to the lease-sites.
- Q: What is the timeline for this?
- A: It depends on the permitting process.
- Q: What are the risk factors? What are the residents in the Town of Gouldsboro risking?
- A: We will take every precautions to ensure that we are minimizing all potential risk to the local community and welcome the opportunity to collaborate in creating good and viable solutions.
- Q: What is the full State process?
- A: See the DMR’s description of the lease application process:
- Q: Is there any kind of provision for the mandatory requirement to have 24-hour flood lights along 220 acres of pens?
- A: There are two sites of approximately 60 acres each, where 10 acres for each site would be for exclusive use and visible on the surface, plus the moorings that extend under water (within the 60 acres). Each site is marked by the required navigational lightings, and no flood lights will be used continuously. All lights will be shielded and on only when there is activity (motion activated), and there is no routing activity planned beyond daylight hours.