Maine Sea Grant by the Numbers
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We are honored to work with such amazing and supportive people to be in service of our coastal communities and ecosystems. Here are a few quotes from those working with and supporting Maine Sea Grant:
“We are devastated and frankly shocked by this news, knowing the value proposition that Sea Grant offers for our coastal communities and fishing fleets. Maine’s Sea Grant programs actively collaborate with our fishing communities, businesses and schools to maximize the impact of federal funding and contribute to long-term economic viability in our coastal communities.” – Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
“Every fishing town in Maine will be affected by this shutdown. Sea Grant’s work in Maine includes training young fishermen for opportunities to enter and lead our fishing industry, as well as listening and responding to the needs of our fishing communities. We hope this potentially disastrous decision for Maine’s fishing industry was an oversight that will be corrected swiftly so we can get back to the work of strengthening our industry with our partners at Maine Sea Grant.” – Gerry Cushman, a fourth-generation Maine fisherman, founding member of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and a board member of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association
“This isn’t a cut. This isn’t a cost. Maine Sea Grant is an investment in the future of Maine’s marine economy that has paid dividends for generations. The support Sea Grant provides up and down the coast ensures the next generation of harvesters, scientists, and stewards of the sea, whatever it will be, will be there. And that’s really key to Maine and key to our future as well.” – Curt Brown, Marine Biologist and lobsterman, Ready Seafood
“A 1-month-old lobster—a thumbnail-sized lobster, which is something 10 years ago we knew very little about—now we know so much more and can make informed decisions based on the science Sea Grant supported. We were floored, and everyone was pretty devastated at the news.” – Curt Brown, Marine Biologist and lobsterman, Ready Seafood
“I have had a great working relationship with Sea Grant for decades — as long as I’ve been working in the fishing industry. No other federal program has staff as invested in the success of our fishing industry than Sea Grant.” – Noah Oppenheim, coordinator for the Fishing Communities Coalition
“We depend on our researchers and scientists to help us grow food for the people of Maine and provide jobs. Sea grant is essential to our work.” – Thomas Briggs, Bangs Island Mussels, Portland, ME
“I would not have been able to start my oyster farm that I’ve had for almost 10 years without the truly excellent help from MAINE SEA GRANT!!” – John Cotton, Ice House Oysters
“Sea Grant is an essential asset for the future, innovation and stability of Maine fisheries.” – Abigail Barrows, Aquaculturist
“Sea Grant staff have worked with me and my students to help us understand the intersections of the local fishing industry, our local economy, and how tourism impacts both. Sea Grant has co-facilitated community meetings around storm resilience and helped connect my neighbors to sources for support and funding for rebuilding. Sea Grant staff are members of my community, with children in our schools, who buy goods from our local retailers, who volunteer in local government, who pay taxes. These are real people.” – Jennifer Crandall, Teacher
“Sea Grant is the reason for my involvement working to get a master’s in marine policy, it is the program that has given me the ability to go from fisherman to student with the hopes of one day being able to return the gesture of care to the ecosystem and my community. This program is absolutely essential.”
“Let this sink in as we think about the future of Maine’s economic success: During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Maine Sea Grant College Program’s work helped generate an estimated $23.5 million in economic benefits, created or supported more than 500 jobs, and created or sustained more than 300 businesses.”
Latest News
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Maine Sea Grant welcomes Fisheries Extension Associate
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Maine Sea Grant welcomes new Lobster Research and Extension Coordinator
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Bringing the Sea to Inland and Rural Youth with Maine Sea Grant
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Congratulations to our 2025 Knauss Fellow
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University of Maine Graduate Student Selected for NOAA/Sea Grant Fellowship
Coastal Conversations Radio Program
Maine Sea Grant is a federal-state partnership program based at the University of Maine and one of 34 NOAA Sea Grant programs throughout the coastal and Great Lakes states. We receive funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is matched by the state of Maine and other non-federal sources. Since 1971, we have promoted science and education for the sustainable development, management, and stewardship of Maine’s marine and coastal resources. We continue this mission today by supporting marine and coastal research, education, and outreach via a marine extension team with individuals located in coastal communities from Wells to Eastport.
Maine Sea Grant’s work across Maine, from the Piscataqua River to Passamaquoddy Bay, is carried out on the lands and waters of the Wabanaki people. We thank the Wabanaki, people of the Dawn Land, for their stewardship and continued strength and resilience in protecting it. We support all efforts for healing and protecting the land and water we share.
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