The traditional diversity of fisheries job opportunities has been lost by coastal communities over the last decade. The lobster fishery now supports most of the fisheries jobs in these communities statewide. A collapse of the lobster resource would be an economic and social disaster. Community capacity has been significantly reduced by the reliance on a single fishery. A new collaborative lobster research project, the Penobscot Bay Collaborative has released findings in January 2001 that predict a decline in the lobster catch. The objective of this project is to help communities build their economic and social capacity by increasing the diversity of wild capture fisheries and aquaculture business opportunities in client communities.

This project will work with client communities to overcome conflicts and prejudices existing between the wild capture fisheries, the aquaculture industry and the general public. It will work with fishermen, aquaculturists, DMR and the Maine Legislature to create a collaborative process encouraging participation in aquaculture activities by traditional fishermen, schools and the general public. Local needs and opportunities will be identified to improve communication between stakeholders and promote learning.

Current UMCE/SeaGrant strategic activities include:

• Mid-coast Shellfish Grower's Group Project: partnerships with MAIC, CEI and local growers - ongoing support through quarterly or semi-annual meetings in K/L office, small business assistance, loan fund technical advisory support.

• Facilitation of shellfish aquaculture industry's identification and prioritization of critical issues and needs as well as planning next steps.

For more information, please contact Sherman Hoyt