Saving Seafood

New report finds threats to Maine working waterfronts, proposes solutions

November 30, 2021 — A new report says the lack of reliable access to infrastructure along Maine working waterfronts is a growing threat to the state’s fishing and marine industries.

The Island Institute — a Rockland-based nonprofit that works to develop local economies and climate solutions in Maine’s 120 island and coastal communities — recently published the report, called “The Critical Nature of Maine’s Working Waterfront and Access to the Shore.”

The report examines the state of working waterfront access in Maine, outlines the need for a broader strategy around access protection, and makes recommendations for immediate action steps.

Billion-dollar impact

At well over $1 billion per year, Maine’s fishing and related waterfront industries represent a major sector of Maine’s economy.

Working waterfront communities are grappling with pressures both from the sea and from the land, according to the report.

Read the full story at Mainebiz

Luke’s Lobster, Island Institute pool $2.5M to expand Maine fisheries market

October 1, 2020 — Maine’s seafood industry is getting a $2.5 million investment aimed at making the seafood supply chain more resilient and giving fishermen and aquaculturists a broader online market during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Island Institute, Luke’s Lobster and Silicon Valley Community Foundation said on Wednesday that they will put up the money and partner to expand and diversify the Luke’s Lobster e-commerce business, which sells products from fishermen. The collaboration also involves meeting environmental goals and providing education about the seafood industry.

Luke’s, based in Saco, is a processing facility and restaurant chain that buys seafood directly from fishermen. It set up the website in April when virus-related restrictions caused it to temporarily close all but one of its 26 shacks in the United States and 11 overseas. While it recently reopened 14 U.S. shacks for takeout and delivery, this project will focus on building its e-commerce business.

The investment will go toward making more types of farmed and caught seafood available through the website, which already sells lobsters, crabs, scallops and oysters. It recently added seasonal seafood products with short harvest windows including Gulf of Maine dayboat scallops and fresh halibut.

Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News

MAINE: Island Institute to Lead Marine Economy Project

September 9, 2020 — The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) and FocusMaine recently awarded the Rockland-based Island Institute a three-year, $300,000 contract to serve as program director for SEAMaine, Maine’s Marine Economy Roadmap/Workforce Development Project, a $2 million project to help the state develop an industry-led roadmap and action plan for growth and greater resiliency in Maine’s marine economy.

Funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the project was awarded to FocusMaine and MTI, who oversee a steering committee being led by Bill Mook of Mook Sea Farm and Curt Brown of Ready Seafood. Additional steering committee members include the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the Maine Lobster Dealers Association, and other private- and public-sector partners.

The Island Institute will take the leadership role in managing the many processes and partners involved in developing the roadmap, said Brian Whitney, president of MTI, in a news release.

Recognized as one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, the Gulf of Maine covers more than 5,000 miles of coastline, including islands. Maine’s marine living resources have long been a mainstay of the state’s economy, particularly in rural areas. While lobster remains Maine’s predominant and best-known export, Maine’s marine living resources economy continues to diversify and now includes fishing, lobstering, aquaculture, life sciences, and value-added processing. Critical supply chain elements like shipping and logistics also support this economy.

Read the full story at The Free Press