A small Maine fishing co-op is fighting a massive seafood company in a turf war over a controversial dock expansion.

Spruce Head Fisherman's Co-op and the multi-million dollar Mazzetta Company take up wharves directly next to one another on the South Thomaston waterfront.

The co-op is made up of 40 lobstermen who pool resources to pay for bait, dock space and supplies. It is the third-largest in the state. 

For the past several months, President David Cousens has been in a legal battle with the Chicago-based company to stop construction that would allegedly 'make it impossible for the co-op to stay in business,' he told the Portland Press Herald. 

The bait storage and building deck expansion would allegedly narrow down the lane between the wharves so that no boat over 50 feet could travel to the co-op's loading station, according to the Midcoast Villager. 

Mazzetta also planned to construct a 16-foot by 28-foot floating dock system on the co-op's side of the pier, which could further block operations, the Villager reported.

'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. 

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. 

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, the co-op claimed. 

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.

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.