A modest fishing cooperative in Maine finds itself entangled in a fierce struggle with a giant in the seafood industry over a contentious plan to expand a dock.

Located side by side on the South Thomaston waterfront, the Spruce Head Fisherman’s Co-op and the affluent Mazzetta Company are at odds over their adjacent wharves.

The cooperative, which includes 40 lobstermen, collaborates to share costs for essentials such as bait, dock space, and supplies, making it the third-largest entity of its kind in Maine.

For several months, co-op President David Cousens has been engaged in a legal confrontation with the Chicago-based corporation, arguing that the proposed construction could jeopardize the co-op’s survival, as he explained to the Portland Press Herald.

The planned expansion of bait storage and the building deck is expected to constrict the passage between the wharves, potentially preventing boats longer than 50 feet from accessing the co-op’s loading station, as reported by the Midcoast Villager.

Additionally, Mazzetta has proposed the installation of a 16-by-28-foot floating dock system on the co-op’s pier side, which could further impede its operations.

‘We can’t risk banging up our boats. We don’t have the time to walk 100 pounds of bait up and down a plank or wait an hour every day to sell our catch,’ Cousens said.

The co-op, which has had its claim on the pier for the better part of 50 years, filed an appeal against the fishing company on February 5 after its proposal was approved without a public hearing. 

David Cousens is the longtime president of Spruce Head Fisherman’s Co-op. The group has been operating for more than 50 years

The co-op consists of 40 lobstermen who all operate out of the same port in Spruce Head, Maine

Co-op members worry that if Mazzetta blocks their operations, lobstermen will sell their catches to the multi-million dollar company instead

Spruce Head, where the fishermen operate, is one of the top ports in the state, with the value estimated at more than $20 million in 2025. 

The Co-op alleged that Mazzetta’s expansion is a strategic move to stop their competition from operating, potentially forcing the lobstermen to sell their catches to the multi-million dollar company.

‘In a trap war, people can lose a little money, and everybody gets mad,’ co-op member Jarod Bray told the Portland Press Herald.

‘Now we’re talking million-dollar businesses. That’s a whole new level. That’s about putting a bunch of Spruce Head fishermen and their crews out of business.’ 

According to state filings, the expansion is part of a $3.2 million project aimed at repairing damage caused by natural disasters in Maine between 2022 and 2024. 

Mazzetta’s plan would raise decks to accommodate rising sea levels and make room for 20 more boats.

The plan is at least partially funded by multiple state grants. 

A co-op allows independent fisherman to share supplies, docks and equipment 

Maine lobster season is still a few months away but the conflict has no end in sight

One lobsterman alleged that Mazzetta could put ‘a bunch’ of fisherman and their crews out of business

The plan’s construction permit was approved in January by the Maine Board of Environmental Protection, but the co-op appealed in February.

‘As proposed, the project would entirely eliminate the ability of Co-op fishermen to safely access the Co-op’s wharf for routine and essential activities, including docking, unloading lobster, fueling vessels, and loading bait,’ read the filing.

The appeal sent state inspectors to Mazzetta’s operation. 

Inspectors found that the company had already installed floating docks without permits. Officials ordered that one be removed by May. 

Due to the co-op’s complaints, Mazzetta conceded plans to install an additional floating ramp on the wharf’s north side. 

‘This substantial compromise by (Mazzetta) was a sacrifice of operational needs,’ read court documents.

But in March, Mazzetta moved a 45-foot lobster-buying boat to its wharf, which sat where the expansion was proposed, effectively creating the same blockade. 

Co-op Manager Casey Morrill said the boat has sat unused in the water, forcing members to manually walk their traps up and down the pier.

Spruce Head has one of the top fishing operations in the state, bringing in a value of more than $20 million in 2025

The co-op has argued that Mazzetta’s proposal would keep them from completing their day to day operations

The co-op is the third largest in the state. It has operated out of the same wharf for decades

Members alleged that their impressive operations being halted was a strategic move to give Mazzetta more business

If the co-op’s appeal is denied, Mazzetta still requires the approval of local officials before beginning construction. 

But without a town harbormaster to govern the wharves, some city selectmen said the feud may be forced to end in court.

‘I do not have an answer,’ Morrill said, according to the Portland Press Herald. ‘The Selectboard has not discussed this, but my personal understanding is that absent a harbormaster, the town has no authority to intervene.’

‘It’s bound to be resolved by a judge,’ Selectman Jeff Northfraves agreed. 

The co-op has asked for a public hearing to settle the dispute and has the backing of several other agencies. 

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection told the Daily Mail that a hearing and resolution could still be ‘several months away.’

‘Currently, several procedural steps are in progress, which means the overall appeal process is moving forward but not yet complete,’ read their statement. 

‘Because of these ongoing procedures, scheduling a hearing with the Board of Environmental Protection is still several months away.’

The Daily Mail contacted Spruce Head Fisherman’s Co-op, Mazzetta Company, the Department of Marine Resources and the Selectman’s office.