Alex DeKoning, a mussel farmer based out of Bar Harbor, ME, is the son of seventh generation mussel farmers from Holland. His family has been farming mussels in the Netherlands since the 1750s. However, due to limited expansion opportunities there, they decided to explore other regions and eventually settled in Maine. DeKoning and his family run the only mussel farms in North America that farm mussels on the bottom instead of on ropes.

Scope and Content Note

Alex DeKoning talks about the integration of an immigrant into life on the coast of Maine, the process of farming mussels, and how his methods differ from the norm. He also mentions concerns about green crabs as predators and explains how the mussel reproductive cycle can be impacted by new species. DeKoning highlights the differences between mussel farming in Holland and Maine, stating that aquaculture is less tightly controlled in Holland due to its long history, while in Maine, it is considered a relatively new and sometimes controversial industry. Regarding his farming methods, DeKoning distinguishes his approach from other mussel farmers in Maine. He also emphasizes the importance of striking the right balance between supporting coastal communities and preventing negative impacts caused by irresponsible players.