Saving Seafood

Sea Grant invests $1.3 million in next generation of fishermen

October 30, 2026 — Sea Grant is investing $1.3 million in four projects aimed at helping young fishermen enter and advance in the commercial fishing industry, with programs planned in Maine, Virginia, Washington, and the Gulf of America.

The funding comes through the Young Fishermen’s Development Program, established under the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, which was signed into law in 2021. The program is designed to address barriers facing new entrants to commercial fishing, including high financial risks, limited training opportunities, and challenges building a viable career in the industry.

The four competitively selected projects will provide training, technical assistance, and career development opportunities. Award recipients are also required to provide a 25% non-federal funding match.

In Maine, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association received $399,677 for its Young Lobstermen Business and Leadership Advancement Project, led by principal investigator Patrice McCarron.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Grant aims to grow East Coast bay scallop aquaculture

October 26, 2026 — A $200,000 grant is helping researchers and commercial growers lay the groundwork for a domestic bay scallop aquaculture industry, with a focus on training East Coast growers and increasing access to hatchery-produced seed.

Researchers at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) received the funding from the Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center for a project aimed at expanding commercial-scale bay scallop production. The work will include hands-on training for oyster growers and hatchery personnel, developing new educational materials, and researching ways to improve seed transport and availability.

Bay scallops are native to Maryland waters, but commercial-scale bay scallop aquaculture remains largely undeveloped in the United States. Researchers see an opportunity to build on the East Coast’s existing shellfish aquaculture infrastructure and give growers another species to bring to market.

“It’s a very exciting project with a strong focus on industry,” said Dr. Stephen Tomasetti, principal investigator and director of the UMES Paul S. Sarbanes Coastal Ecology Center.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

MARYLAND: $200,000 grant will go toward building bay scallop aquaculture

October 27, 2026 — The economic impact of the oyster aquaculture industry to the state of Maryland was an estimated $11.5 million in 2024, according to the University of Maryland Extension and Maryland Sea Grant.

Like oysters, bay scallops are native to Maryland waters, but unlike oysters, commercial-scale bay scallop aquaculture remains largely undeveloped in the U.S.

Researchers at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore are aiming to establish the foundations for a thriving domestic bay scallop aquaculture industry. A new $200,000 grant from the Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center will help accelerate domestic bay scallop production by building a trained workforce and expanding seed availability.

Read the full article at the Daily State News

MAINE: $1 million for Maine working waterfront projects

October 27, 2026 — SEA Maine has awarded $1 million to five projects to strengthen working waterfront infrastructure and support Maine’s commercial fishing and seafood industries.

The funding, awarded through the Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (SIAF), will support projects in Tremont, Rockland, Freeport, Swan’s Island, and Boothbay Harbor. Grants range from $126,693 to $300,000 and will pay for improvements including cold storage, docks and floats, ice-making equipment, energy upgrades, and waterfront planning.

“I’m pleased to see these projects benefit from SIAF funding and am optimistic that this funding will result in a stronger, more vibrant future for Maine’s commercially harvested and farmed seafood resources,” said Togue Brawn, SEA Maine co-chair and owner of Downeast Dayboat.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

SeaMaine awards USD 1 million in grant funding to five Maine towns for infrastructure repair

October 23, 2026 — Augusta, Maine, U.S.A.-based industry-led initiative Seafood Economic Accelerator for Maine (SeaMaine) recently awarded a total of USD 1 million (EUR 891,050) in grant funding to five community infrastructure projects statewide.

Projects were identified through the initiative’s Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (SIAF) and will target improvement projects in marine facilities in Tremont, Rockland, Freeport, Swan’s Island, and Boothbay Harbor, according to a release by the organization.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NOAA opens $4.6M for bycatch reduction projects

August 28, 2026 — NOAA Fisheries is making approximately $4.6 million available for projects aimed at reducing bycatch through improved fishing practices and innovative gear technology.

The agency announced its 2026 funding opportunity through the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program, inviting non-federal researchers to submit proposals for collaborative projects that address bycatch challenges facing U.S. fisheries.

A major emphasis of this year’s funding opportunity is industry involvement. NOAA Fisheries said it is looking for proposals that include proactive and meaningful engagement with the fishing industry in identifying, designing, or implementing projects.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

USDA announces grants to extend cold chain to food assistance programs

August 26, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced USD 7.5 million (EUR 6.4 million) in grant funding to help extend the cold storage chain to local food assistance programs.

Through the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program (CCG), USDA will provide funding to purchase cold chain equipment that helps food assistance programs store and deliver fresh and frozen products.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource