Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 1 August 6, 2020
Department of Marine Resources
Site Review
Deep Blue Aquaculture, LLC
60 Court Street
Belfast, ME 04915
Figure 1. Vicinity map.1
Location: West of Hog Island, Eastern Penobscot Bay, Deer Isle, Hancock County, Maine
Purpose: Experimental lease for the suspended culture of sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus)
Site Review by: Cheyenne Adams
Report Preparation by: Cheyenne Adams, Marcy Nelson, and Flora Drury
Report Completed: August 6, 2020
1All figures in this report were created in ArcMap version 10.6 using digitized NOAA Nautical Charts or geo-referenced aerial photographs provided by
The Maine Office of GIS (orthoCoastalCentralCoast2003And2005).
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 2 August 6, 2020
Application Overview
On June 15, 2020, Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) scientist Cheyenne Adams
visited the proposed experimental lease site aboard the applicant’s vessel. MDMR staff arrived in
the area at 8:15am; the tide was in the early ebb stage.
The applicant is requesting 3.912 acres west of Hog Island in Eastern Penobscot Bay for the suspended
culture of sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus).3 The applicant proposes to culture scallops on 3
800-foot longlines.4 The longlines, suspended a minimum of 15 feet below the water surface, would
support a maximum of 1,600 lantern nets (20” W x 5’ L), 450 spat bags (14” W x 30” L), and 2,400 30-
foot dropper lines with ear-hung scallops.5 Gear would be deployed year-round and activity would be
heaviest June through October. Activity would include the use of a battery-powered grading machine,
which is proposed to be used on a monthly basis. Additionally, the applicant proposes to use a power
washer, powered by the applicant’s vessel hydraulic system, which would be used for up to 5 days at a
time, occurring up to 3 times yearly. The applicant proposes to harvest scallops year-round.6
General Characteristics
The proposed lease site occupies subtidal waters to the west of Hog Island (Images 1 & 2) and southeast
of Pond and Western Islands (Images 3 & 4) in Eastern Penobscot Bay. To the west, open water extends
over 4 miles to Islesboro Island (Image 5). Beach and Barred Islands are to the southwest (Image 6), and
Pickering Island is to the southeast (Image 7). The shoreline of Hog Island, closest to the proposed lease,
is a mix of rocky ledge and sand beach that lead to lawn and coniferous forested uplands with a single
residential building. The shorelines of Pond and Western Islands are similarly composed of mixed ledge
and sand beach with coniferous forested uplands. Pond Island also supports marsh grass uplands.
Depth
At the time of MDMR’s site assessment (8:15 am), water depth at the proposed lease corners ranged
from 67 to 69 feet, as measured with a transom-mounted depth sounder. Low tide was predicted to occur
at 1:33 pm with a depth of 0.70 feet above mean low water (MLW). Correcting for tidal variation derives
water depths approximately 0.4 feet higher (67.4 to 69.4 feet) at the nearest high water and
approximately 8.5 feet lower (58.5 to 60.5 feet) at MLW (0.0 feet).
Table 1: Tide predictions at Northwest Harbor, Deer Isle, Penobscot Bay, Maine
(44.2333° N, 68.6833° W)7
Date Time Height (ft.)
6/15/2020 1:16 AM 1.89 L
6/15/2020 7:23 AM 9.17 H
6/15/2020 1:33 PM 0.70 L
6/15/2020 7:52 PM 9.72 H
2 Applicant requested 3.86 acres. MDMR calculations, based on the provided coordinates, indicate the area is 3.91 acres. 3 Application, pages 1 & 2 (labelled as pages 4 & 5 in the application) 4 Application page 6 (labelled as page 9 in the application) 5 Application, pages 22 and 23 (labelled as pages 25 & 26 in the application) 6 Application, pages 5 and 6 (labelled as pages 8 and 9 in the application) 7 http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 3 August 6, 2020
Image 1. Facing east toward Hog Island from southwest of the proposed NW
corner (June 15, 2020).
Image 2. Facing northeast toward the western tip of Hog Island from
southwest of the proposed NW corner (June 15, 2020).
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 4 August 6, 2020
Image 3. Facing north toward Pond Island from southwest of the proposed
NW corner (June 15, 2020).
Image 4. Facing northwest toward Western Island from southwest of the
proposed NW corner (June 15, 2020).
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Image 5. Facing west from southwest of the proposed NW corner
(June 15, 2020).
Image 6. Facing south/southwest toward Limited Purposed Aquaculture (LPA) licenses
held by Andrew Peters, the sole owner of Deep Blue Aquaculture, LLC, and Beach
and Barred Islands from southwest of the proposed NW corner (June 15, 2020).
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 6 August 6, 2020
Image 7. Facing southeast toward Pickering Island from southwest of the
proposed NW corner (June 15, 2020).
Position and Distances to Shore
POSAID Positioning Software was used to verify the distances and bearings between proposed
lease corners. Distances to shore were determined using the measuring tool in ArcMap 10.6,
digital orthophotography provided by the Maine Office of GIS (unless otherwise noted), and the
application coordinates.
Application Coordinates (Datum WGS 84) – 3.91 acres (Figure 2)
Corner Latitude Longitude
NE 44.282474° N 68.799887° W then 140.14 feet at 302.76o True to
NW 44.282682° N 68.800337° W then 1,189.63 feet at 234.11o True to
SW 44.280769° N 68.804017° W then 156.87 feet at 131.30o True to
SE 44.280485° N 68.803567° W then 1,206.09 feet at 53.04o True to NW.
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 7 August 6, 2020
Table 2. Approximate distances from the proposed lease to surrounding features (Figures 1 & 2).
Measurements were made using digital orthophotography provided by the Maine Office of GIS
(orthoCoastalCentralCoast2003And2005).
Feature Distance
NE and NW corner to Hog Island, nearest point (~MLW) ~1,070 feet to northeast
NE corner to southwestern tip of Hog Island (~MLW) >1,300 feet to the southeast
NW corner to Pond Island, nearest point (~MLW) ~1,970 feet to the northwest
NW-SW boundary to Black Ledges, nearest point (~MLW) ~>2,200 feet to the northwest
SW corner to Barred Island, nearest point (~MLW) >1.5 miles to the southwest
SE corner to Beach Island, nearest point (~MLW) >1.5 miles to the southwest
Figure 2. Proposed lease and surrounding area.8
8 Digital orthophotography provided by the Maine Office of GIS (orthoCoastalCentralCoast2003And2005).
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 8 August 6, 2020
The criteria MDMR uses to determine the suitability of an experimental aquaculture operation to a
particular area (MDMR Regulations Chapter 2.64(11)(A)) are discussed, with respect to the
proposal, below:
(1) Riparian Owners Ingress and Egress
The Hog Island upland is composed of lawn and forest and hosts one residential building. The
main access point to the island is assumed to be the dock located on the opposite shoreline from
the proposal. However, during the site assessment on June 15, 2020, a sand beach was observed
on the western shoreline of Hog Island that could facilitate shore landing. The proposed lease site
is located approximately 1,070 feet from the Hog Island shoreline at the nearest point; this distance
is sufficient to allow for unimpeded ingress and egress, if the lease were granted. Additionally,
since longlines would be maintained a minimum of 15 feet below the water surface, many vessels
would likely be of appropriate draft to navigate through the site.
Pond and Western Islands appear to be uninhabited and shoreline access would not be impeded by
the proposal. No docks or moorings were observed during the site assessment.
(2) Navigation
The proposed lease is located in Eastern Penobscot Bay to the west of Hog Island. Black Ledges,
Pond Island, and Western Island are farther and to the northwest of the proposal. Due to these
surroundings, it is likely that the majority of vessel traffic travelling through the area takes place
to the south of the proposed lease site. The nearest navigational buoy, red nun “2”, lies southwest
of Western Island and approximately 1.5 miles to the northwest of the proposal. The presence of
this buoy, marking the Black Ledges and other nearby navigational obstacles, would further
encourage vessel flow to remain southerly and westerly of the proposed lease area. Shore landing
on the sand beaches of Hog and Pond Islands likely causes mariners to be in closer proximity to
the proposal, especially during summer months. Since Hog Island is over 1,000 feet and Pond
Island is nearly 2,000 feet from the proposal, vessel flow is unlikely to be significantly affected if
the proposal were granted. Moreover, since longlines would be maintained a minimum of 15 feet
below the water surface, many vessels would likely be of appropriate draft to navigate through the
site.
No vessels were observed in the general area during MDMR’s site assessment on June 15, 2020.
(3) Fishing and Water-Related Uses
During MDMR’s site assessment on June 15, 2020, approximately 6 lobster trap buoys were
observed to the northwest of the proposal, near Pond Island. The lobster fishery in Maine follows
the annual migration and molt cycle of lobsters (Homarus americanus) and may be more prevalent
in the area during the late summer or fall. According to the application, the proposed lease site
contains entirely mud bottom,9 which is not typical of concentrated lobster fishing effort.
Sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) and green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
fishing occur during the fall and winter months in Maine state waters as both dive and drag
9 Application, page 9 (labelled as page 12 in the application)
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 9 August 6, 2020
fisheries. The scallop and urchin seasons had both ended prior to MDMR’s site assessment on June
15, 2020 and, therefore, no fishing activity was observed. While the application states that no
fishing has been observed during the winter,10 the proposal is in a scallop rotational management
area that has been closed for the previous two fishing seasons. However, the MDMR scallop
program indicates that fishing effort likely does not occur within the proposed lease site and that
catch rates are generally low in this management area.11 Although MDMR did not conduct an
underwater assessment during the site visit, the application indicates the site is mud bottom12 and
MDMR staff typically observe scallops on sand and shell substrate.
(4) Other Aquaculture Uses
There are 2 Limited Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) licenses within 1 mile of the proposal (Figure 3),
both of which are operated by Andrew Peters, the sole owner of Deep Blue Aquaculture, LLC.
Both LPAs are approved for the suspended culture of sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus),
sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima), horsetail kelp (Laminaria digitata), and winged kelp (Alaria
esculenta). The application states that both LPAs would be relinquished if the proposed lease were
granted.13
Figure 3. Limited Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) licenses near the proposed lease.
10 Application page 7 (labelled as page 10 in the application) 11 Communication with Amber Lisi, MDMR Scallop Biologist, on 8/3/2020 12 Application, page 9 (labelled as page 12 in the application) 13 Application, page 8 (labelled as page 11 in the application)
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 10 August 6, 2020
(5) Existing System Support
Wildlife
During the site assessment on June 15, 2020, MDMR staff observed various gull species (Larus sp.) in
the surrounding area. According to Significant Wildlife Habitat data maintained by the Maine
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) and available through the Maine Office of
GIS, the nearest tidal waterfowl and wading bird habitat is approximately 1,050 feet to the
northeast; over 2,600 feet from the proposal, Pond Island hosts habitat for the yellow rail
(Coturnicops noveboracensis), which is recognized in Maine as a species of special concern
(Figure 4).
Additionally, two bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nests are present on Western and Barred
Islands (Figure 4). Bald eagles are also recognized in Maine as a Species of Special Concern. They
are further protected by the Federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668c).
The proposed lease is over 1 mile from the 600-foot, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mandated
protective buffers surrounding the nests on Western and Barred Islands.
On February 21, 2020 Rebecca Settele (Wildlife Biologist, MDIFW) responded, by email, to a Request
for Agency Review and Comment stating, “Minimal impacts to wildlife are anticipated for this project.”
Figure 4. Tidal Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat,14 Endangered, Threated, or Species of
Special Concern,15 and Bald Eagle Nests16 near the proposed lease.
14 Data obtained from MDIWF maintained SDE Feature Class “GISVIEW.MEIFW.Twwh” 15 Data obtained from MDIFW maintained SDE Feature Class “GISVIEW.MEIFW. ETSC” 16 Data obtained from USFWS: https://services.arcgis.com/QVENGdaPbd4LUkLV/ArcGIS/rest/services (“Maine_Bald_Eagles_2019_with_twn_cnty”)
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 11 August 6, 2020
Eelgrass (Zostera marina)
The most recent historical eelgrass data for the area were collected by MDMR in 2004 and indicate
that there is no eelgrass in the general vicinity.17 Previous historical data, collected by MDMR in
1992, indicate that the nearest eelgrass beds were located along the Hog Island shoreline,
approximately 1,230 feet to the east of the proposal (Figure 5). Although no underwater assessment
was conducted by MDMR staff during the site assessment, eelgrass beds are typically observed in
shallower water that allows for adequate light penetration to support photosynthesis.
Figure 5. Historical eelgrass (Z. marina) coverage in the vicinity of the proposal.18
Epibenthic Flora and Fauna
Although MDMR did not conduct an underwater assessment during the site visit on June 15, 2020,
the application reports that blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), various ascidians, and sea stars have
been observed in and around the applicant’s LPA culture gear. The bottom sediment is reported to
be mud and there is little apparent topographic variation.19
(6) Source of Organisms to be Cultured
Seed will be sourced from either wild set on spat collection bags or from Pine Point Oyster
Company.20 The applicant’s spat collection bags are governed by spat collection licenses and may
be located off-site. These are approved sources by MDMR.
17 Data obtained from SDE Feature Class sourced from The Maine Office of GIS “MaineDMR – Eelgrass 2010” 18 Data obtained from SDE Feature Class sourced from The Maine Office of GIS “MaineDMR – Eelgrass 1997” 19 Application, pages 9 and 10 (labelled as pages 12 and 13 in the application) 20 Application, page 2 (labelled as page 5 in the application)
Deep Blue Aquaculture (Eastern Penobscot Bay) Page 12 August 6, 2020
(7) Interference with Public Facilities
There are no beaches, parks, or docking facilities owned by municipal, state, or federal government
within 1,000 feet of the proposed lease site. The nearest conserved lands, Pond and Western
Islands, are owned by Maine Coastal Heritage Trust (Figure 6). Additionally, Acadia National
Park holds an easement on Pond Island. Green Ledge is owned by MDIFW.
Figure 6. Ownership of conserved lands in the general vicinity of the
proposed lease site.21
21 Data obtained from SDE Feature Class sourced from The Maine Office of GIS “GISVIEW.MECONSLANDS.Conserved_Lands”