Aquaculture in Shared Waters 2017

We are pleased to announce the a 2017 class of the Aquaculture in Shared Waters program will be available, to serve especially the fishermen and members of fishing families in Downeast Maine. The program, as always, offers technical training and support, network-building, and informational resources to those who are considering aquaculture as a way to diversify their incomes along Maine’s working waterfronts.

Program partners include the Maine Aquaculture Association, Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, Coastal Enterprises, Inc, and the project is coordinated by Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Through these project partners, guest speakers and field trips, participants will gain a thorough head start on the processes of growing shellfish such as oysters, mussels and scallops, as well as seaweeds such as kelp and dulse. Course instructors and guest speakers are experts in their fields, and all students receive a wealth of reference material. All project partners are available to help students through the processes of site and species selection, choosing the right gear, leasing and licensing, and bringing product to market.

Since 2013, the program has been delivered in Corea (2013), Thomaston (2016) and Harpswell (2013 and 2015), with over 70 fishermen, fishing family members and other members of coastal communities participating, and many new aquaculture operations as a result. The name, Aquaculture in Shared Waters, reflects the fact that aquaculture is but one of the many diverse uses of Maine’s coastline, and that the best results are achieved when sites are chosen carefully, and with due consideration of local perspectives and conditions. The 2017 class will be delivered in Ellsworth. Principal funding is through the NOAA National Sea Grant Program.

An informational meeting on the program has been scheduled for Tuesday, Febrary 7th, at the Bryant E. Moore Center in Ellsworth, at 5 General Moore Way, at 6:30pm. (NOTE: Due to a poor weather forecast, this meeting has been cancelled. Please contact Dana or Chris at the numbers/email below for more information. The first class will continue as scheduled – see below) Regular classes will meet on Thursday evenings, from 5:30-7:30 (subject to change, depending on participants’ input) beginning February 16th. To learn more about the program, please contact:

Dana L. Morse, 207.563.8186, or
Chris Bartlett, 207.853.0967