Saving Seafood

MAINE: UMaine experts aim to bring New England seafood industry sustainability through cutting-edge research

July 17, 2026 — Fishing is one of the oldest commercial activities in New England, and experts with the University of Maine are working to ensure its future remains sustainable.

For the 14th year in a row, Maine harvested over half-a-billion dollars in seafood, around $619 million in 2025 to be exact according to Damian Brady, a professor at UMaine’s School of Marine Sciences.

“We have about 7% of the coastline of the United States, and we produce 25% of the value in seafood,” said Brady.

On Wednesday, July 15, it was announced that a UMaine team has joined a slew of fellow institutions across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, to build a sustainable and technologically advanced New England seafood economy, while also aiming to create opportunities for businesses, and reduce the nation’s $20 billion seafood trade deficit.