The 21st century got hold of the state agency that regulates Maine’s aquaculture industry.
“The transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system is like the evolution from the horse and buggy to the automobile-a significant leap forward in efficiency and capability,” the Maine Department of Marine Resources wryly said in its announcement of an electronic application system for aquaculture leases.
The department said the new system will significantly streamline the process for lease applicants who, until now, have had to submit applications on paper forms.
“This advancement will modernize and enhance the lease application process for Maine’s aquaculture industry,” said Amanda Ellis, director of the department’s aquaculture division.
The department “recognizes that this is a significant change from the paper applications people have grown accustomed to and we have been working with stakeholders to ensure that the launch of the new system is as smooth as possible,” said Ellis.
Phased approach
Development of the electronic system was made possible through a $550,000 grant from the Builders Initiative Foundation in Chicago with support from the Maine Community Foundation and the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.
The electronic system for experimental and standard lease applicants launched Aug 18. Electronic applications for other lease applications, including transfers, renewals, amendments and expansions, will be launched in the coming months.
“DMR is taking a phased approach as we recognize this is a significant change,” said Ellis. “We have notified industry of this new system and will send an additional notice once all other lease application types are available electronically.”
The department did not specify when it would add “limited purpose aquaculture” or LPA applications to the system. LPAs are typically used for gear or site tests.
Scores of applications
Up to now, the application intake and processing system has been entirely paper-based and manual, with staff manually handling every step of the process, including payment, consuming a significant amount of time that could be better spent on other aspects of aquaculture programming, the department said.
Over 100 lease applications are under review, but the paper-based system does not provide the capacity to deliver regular updates to applicants, efficiently manage correspondence and track follow-up submissions.
Applicants have expressed the need for a system that is more modern and streamlined, the department said.
The department worked with design and development professionals to build the system.
Applications submitted before the launch will be processed under the paper-based system.
