MAINE PUBLIC • January 24, 2025
The Conservation Law Foundation has filed a lawsuit against Cooke Aquaculture, saying the company has violated the Clean Water Act at its Down East salmon pens. CLF said the salmon pens release fish feces, fish food and pieces of dead salmon into the surrounding water, polluting the water and ocean floor. "So due to the waste, the lobstermen have had to deal with foul smelling black sludge on their traps," said Heather Govern, vice president of CLF's clean air and water program. "They've had to drive further out from the harbors and away from Cook's cages in order to drop their lobster traps." Govern said Cooke's programs can work, just not like this.