Maine Sea Grant

Dr. Mikhail Zuykov Laurentian University In August 2019, a pathogenic green algae, Coccomyxa spp. was found in mytilid mussels, Mytilus spp. in Jonesport, Maine and the surrounding area. Previous reports have documented the algae in Canadian coastal provinces and European waters, but this may be the first record of it in the Gulf of Maine. […]

Morgan Cuthbert Yarmouth Schools Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food producing sectors in the world, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In Maine, aquaculture is becoming a prominent industry and is serving as a means for commercial fishermen to diversify their efforts. Furthermore, the National Oceanic and […]

Dr. Chris Petersen College of the Atlantic According to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, lobster landings have been increasing since 1985, with over 132 million pounds landed in Maine during 2016. The lobster fishery has historically remained viable, even when other local fisheries have not. This is likely the result of the strong conservation […]

Caitlin Cleaver, PhD Candidate University of Maine Maine coastal communities depend on the viability of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery. However, as the Gulf of Maine changes, some lobstermen are diversifying their efforts to include oyster, mussel, seaweed, and salmon farming. The objective of this research is to understand the characteristics of fishermen-farmers based […]

Dr. Brian Beal Downeast Institute The soft-shell clam fishery is an important part of Maine’s history and culture. However, clam landings have decreased over the past decade due to warming water temperatures and predation by invasive species. In order to support sustainable seafood and coastal ecosystem health, investigators will test whether “brushing” is a viable […]

David Fields Senior Research Scientist Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences The Gulf of Maine is warming at a rapid rate, with unknown consequences for marine life, including commercially and culturally important species such as American lobster and soft-shell clams. Previous work by Bigelow and UMaine scientists provided some of the first indication that temperature is […]

Bailey Bowden Town of Penobscot Alewife Committee Penobscot, ME The Bagaduce River Estuary is the focus of a watershed-wide effort to restore passage for sea-run fish and enhance ecosystem integrity, including participation in the SEANET project and NOAA’s Habitat Blueprint. The effort is led by the Town of Penobscot with support from Sedgwick and Brooksville, […]

Monique Coombs Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association   In 2017, Bert Jongerdon, General Manager of the Portland Fish Exchange, called the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association because he had a load of cusk and could not find a buyer. MCFA couldn’t identify a buyer, either, and the fish ended selling for pennies. Shortly after, MCFA discussed the […]