Viridian Law Secures Maine Law Court Victory for Acadia Aqua Farms

Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously affirms approval of aquaculture lease following multi-year permitting and appellate challenge

Viridian Law is pleased to announce a significant victory on behalf of its client, Acadia Aqua Farms d/b/a Hollander and De Koning after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the approval of the company's aquaculture lease in Eastern Bay off Mount Desert Island.

In Friends of Eastern Bay v. Department of Marine Resources et al., 2026 ME 90, the Law Court affirmed the judgment upholding the Maine Department of Marine Resources' approval of Acadia Aqua Farms' 20-year aquaculture lease. The 19.71-acre lease permits Acadia to cultivate blue mussels and other shellfish in Eastern Bay. The decision represents the culmination of a lengthy regulatory and litigation process. Acadia originally applied for the lease in 2019. Following a challenge to the lease, the Business and Consumer Docket upheld DMR's decision, and the opponents appealed to the Law Court.

In a detailed opinion, the Law Court affirmed the judgment in Acadia's favor, upholding DMR's authority to approve the lease, the agency's findings concerning noise and other impacts, and the treatment of the project as a non-discharge aquaculture application.

Viridian Law attorney Patrick Lyons served as lead counsel for Acadia Aqua Farms before the Maine Law Court, assisted by Jen Rankin and other Viridian professionals. 

Litigation, Aquaculture and Permitting Experience

The decision reflects the intersection of several areas in which Viridian regularly advises Maine businesses: complex litigation, aquaculture and marine industries, and regulatory permitting.

Viridian works with businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Maine's working waterfront and natural-resource economy, including aquaculture and seafood companies navigating regulatory approvals, commercial disputes and other legal issues that can determine whether a project moves forward.

Viridian's litigation practice represents businesses in complex commercial, regulatory and appellate matters, while its aquaculture and permitting practice helps clients navigate Maine's regulatory environment from project development and permitting through contested proceedings and appeals.

Viridian Law congratulates Acadia Aqua Farms on this important victory and is proud to have represented the company before Maine's highest court.

Full text of the Maine Law Court's Decision: 2026 ME 90 Friends of Eastern Bay v. Department of Marine Resources et al.

From the Bangor Daily News: Maine's top court denies appeal of controversial Bar Harbor aquaculture lease