Marine science - and economic impact - for Maine people.

Submitted by Catherine Schmitt on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 21:20

Maine Sea Grant has been providing marine science research, education, and outreach for 35 years. Sometimes our work yields positive economic benefits. In just the last four years, Maine Sea Grant activities generated an estimated $22 million in economic impacts, created or sustained 300+ businesses and 130 jobs, and provided 200 communities with technical assistance on challenging issues including working waterfront preservation, coastal infrastructure, and fishing industry diversification.
 

Read more about our impacts in this one-page fact sheet.

Coastal Conversations | Alewife Restoration & Monitoring

Submitted by Natalie Springuel on Wed, 05/31/2017 - 12:54

Alewife Restoration and Monitoring

Coastal Conversations show: June 23, 2017
WERU 89.9 in Blue Hill and 99.9 in Bangor
Host: Natalie Springuel, Maine Sea Grant
Listen to the show on WERU archives (after broadcast date)

Alewives and their close cousins the blueback herring play an important role in Maine’s freshwater and ocean ecology, as food for eagles, osprey, bears, raccoon, and even cod.

Coastal Conversations | Sea Kayak Safety in Cold Water

Submitted by Natalie Springuel on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 10:53
The weather is getting warmer and people in Maine are anxious to get their kayaks and other boats in the water, but boating safety advocates remind us that ocean temperatures take a lot longer to warm than the air. This is Natalie Springuel, from the University of Maine Sea Grant, host of Coastal Conversations. On our next program, we’ll explore concerns related to cold water boating and how to prepare for safe and enjoyable adventures on the ocean and lakes of Maine.

Coastal Conversations Radio Program: Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network (SEANET)

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During this week’s Coastal Conversations we’ll be hearing about a comprehensive research project being led by the University of Maine call the Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network or SEANET.  This 5-year, National Science Foundation-funded, grant is made possible through the ESPCoR program which is hosted at the University of Maine. 

Hatchery Season

Submitted by Dana Morse on Tue, 03/14/2017 - 14:01

crews turning oyster cages on the water in snowHere in early March in Maine, we are starting to get a bit of respite from the long nights, short days and bitter winds of winter. The sun shines more directly, puddles form in driveways and along the roadsides, and the voices of streams can be heard as the snowmelt begins. You may even have some greenery sprouting up on the windowsill, in a peat pot or paper cup. Things are happening.

Coastal Conversations Radio Program: Maine's Salt Marshes

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Have you ever visited a salt marsh? These wetlands provide valuable habitat for birds and fish, and help protect coastal property from flooding and storm damage. But they are vulnerable to rising sea levels and other climate-related changes, prompting action by local conservation organizations and scientists.

On our next program, host Catherine Schmitt will visit a salt marsh with Maine Coast Heritage Trust, explore the perceptions of salt marshes through history, and talk with University of Maine researchers to discuss the status and importance of marshes, and the birds that call them home.

Aquaculture in Shared Waters 2017

Submitted by Dana Morse on Fri, 01/27/2017 - 14:59

aqsw 2017 blog cover photoToday, Maine’s aquaculture industry includes many fishermen who are using aquaculture to diversify their incomes.  There’s a lot to know however, when entering the aquaculture industry, and since 2013, the Aquaculture in Shared Waters program has provided training, technical support and networking for commercial fishermen and members of fishing families who are interested in diversifying their incomes.  The course is offered by University of Maine Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension, Maine Aquaculture Association, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., and Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, and the 2017 class is forming now, to be held in Ellsworth.

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