Local Seafood: In Our Backyard
For the 2024 Bangor Daily News Aquaculture & Marine Resources Publication
In Maine, we are incredibly fortunate to have access to high-quality, locally grown or caught food from land AND the sea. Our state is home to many extraordinary farms that provide us with delicious, sustainably-grown food. Most people are familiar with local agriculture, but fewer are aware of the farming happening in our ocean. While the sight of local lobstermen hauling their traps is a familiar one, few can even picture what “farming the sea” looks like in Maine. As we all try to make better choices as consumers, it's vital to understand the importance of locally farmed seafood and our duty to support the sea farmers growing it. Supporting local food means more than just consuming it. In Maine, working waterfront access points are crucial for the seafood industry and enable local seafood to be enjoyed in our communities and beyond. However, gentrification is making it increasingly difficult for those who work on the water to live in these coastal communities. By buying local seafood, especially the sustainable and delicious farmed seafood produced by Maine’s hardworking sea farmers, we support jobs, stimulate coastal economies, and strengthen the Maine seafood brand. Consider the satisfaction you feel when buying a chicken raised happily and healthily in your town. You should feel the same when seeking out Maine-grown seafood. In fact, you may even know the person who grew it! Sea farmers, like their land-based counterparts, work tirelessly to produce food and meet the demands of the market, sometimes facing obstacles from those who would prefer they "do it somewhere else." To that we ask, how local is “too local”? In Maine, "local" truly means in our backyard. We believe in championing the food produced locally by our neighbors and community members. Next time you're at your local farmers' market, take a moment to appreciate the variety of locally grown meats and vegetables. Many of us take pride in knowing that these farms are in our town, employing residents from our community. Why should sea farming be any different? Sea farmers are deserving of the same pride, appreciation, and support for their hard work in growing our food. Nutritionists increasingly recommend eating more seafood of all kinds for a balanced diet, yet a significant portion of seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported. Shopping locally has a powerful impact: it’s great for our health, reduces carbon emissions associated with long-distance shipping, and strengthens our local economy. By choosing Maine seafood, we ensure that the hardworking sea farmers and fishermen are able to stay in business and support better access to seafood for all Mainers. Embracing local food, particularly locally farmed seafood, means supporting our communities and the environment. Come visit a farm, talk to a farmer, and take the opportunity to understand why the ocean is so important to us. Our locally-grown, healthy, and sustainable seafood benefits you, Maine, and the country every day. Let’s celebrate our local sea farmers with the same enthusiasm we show for our local land-based farmers, ensuring a robust and thriving local food system for generations to come.
Growing Green Jobs for Maine
For the 2023 Bangor Daily News Aquaculture & Marine Resources Publication
With a median age of nearly 45, Maine is the oldest state in the country and has the oldest workforce. Though the state's tourism industry is booming and offers many seasonal jobs to young Mainers, a lack of long-term prospects hinders their ability to put down roots. As young people look to build a life in Maine, they are met with fewer long term career opportunities. They are also seeking green jobs that have a positive impact on the planet. With more coastline than the state of California and a burgeoning aquaculture sector, Maine is becoming a destination for young people seeking green careers through aquatic farming. As Maine’s aquaculture businesses grow, so does the need for workforce development. The sector has the ability to solve many of the demographic issues facing Maine, but workforce bottlenecks can stunt potential growth. Many small farms in the state are looking to scale up their operations, but they can only do so with steady, reliable help. Earlier this year, we launched the nation’s first accredited aquaculture apprenticeship program, designed to provide opportunities to those looking for full-time, year-round employment in Maine aquaculture. The Maine Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture Apprenticeship program was created in partnership with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, FocusMaine, the Maine Department of Labor, and Educate Maine, with support from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. It is a 2,000-hour paid apprenticeship program where participants can earn an accredited aquaculture certification. Upon completion of their apprenticeships, many of the cohort members will be hired full time by their host farms. We had the chance to meet up with some of this year’s apprenticeship cohort to chat with them about their experience in the program. Originally from Ohio, Kat Lipp, 31, started her fishing career in Alaska but recently decided to move to Maine to explore opportunities in aquaculture. Now, she is working as a farm hand at Mere Point Oyster Company in Brunswick. “This experience has been very fulfilling, mentally, physically, and emotionally,” says Lipp, “I’m definitely set up for success to find a position I really enjoy after the apprenticeship.” Alex McBroom, 32, relocated to Maine from California for the apprenticeship program. “I got the job on March 17th, and on April 2nd I was driving across the country to come here,” says McBroom, who is spending his summer working at Marshall Cove Mussel farm off Islesboro. Matt Czuchra, 23, originally from Lincolnville, moved back to Maine after completing his oceanography degree at Dalhousie University. With experience working as a deckhand on Vertical Bay scallop farm in Penobscot Bay, he was able to start as a farm manager this summer at Ferda Farms, an oyster farm in Brunswick. These young people are taking big steps to invest in their future and in Maine. Let’s help the aquaculture sector grow and thrive so these folks and future generations can continue to build a life on the coast of Maine.
Press Release: Maine Celebrates Graduation of Nation's First Aquaculture Apprenticeship Cohort
The nation’s first-ever accredited aquaculture apprenticeship program is celebrating the graduation of its pilot cohort. This landmark program, accredited by the Maine Department of Labor, was created to address critical workforce gaps in the growing aquaculture industry. Over the past year, six apprentices have completed 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of technical coursework, preparing them for a variety of careers within the aquaculture sector. The graduation ceremony, which will be held on September 12, 2024 at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, marks a milestone in aquaculture workforce development. Apprentices received comprehensive training, including hands-on experience in farm management, environmental sustainability, and aquaculture operations, setting the stage for leadership roles in the field. “We are excited to be celebrating the graduation of the first aquaculture apprentices in the nation,” said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman, who is speaking at the graduation ceremony. “With the expansion of registered apprenticeships into new occupations such as this one, both Maine workers and employers are benefitting from this proven 'earn while you learn' training model. Congratulations to the graduates, I look forward to seeing how you use your demonstrated skills to strengthen and leverage the variety of opportunities in Maine’s growing aquaculture sector.” The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) Maine Aquaculture Workforce Development Strategy, a study developed with input from over 60 Maine aquaculture businesses, noted that Maine aquaculture's lack of a trained workforce could jeopardize the sector's future. The strategy identified the creation of a Maine Department of Labor-approved aquaculture apprenticeship program as one of the four pillars for ensuring a skilled and adaptable workforce to drive the sustainable development of aquaculture in Maine. The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) and GMRI developed the apprenticeship program with funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Award #2022-67037-36260. The program's design was heavily influenced by industry professionals, ensuring their insights were integral to its development. Carissa Maurin, GMRI Aquaculture Program Manager stated, “through this comprehensive approach, the program aims to build a skilled workforce well-equipped to advance sustainable aquaculture in Maine, addressing the industry's growth and resilience needs.” It officially launched in January 2023, attracting over 25 applicants for just six spots. In the second year, interest grew, drawing in more than 60 applicants. This overwhelming response underscores the high demand for structured, hands-on training in aquaculture, as well as the potential for future expansion of the program. The graduates of this program have already made notable impacts in their respective fields. Katherine Lipp, the first graduate of the program, has transitioned into a farmer community engagement role at the Maine Aquaculture Association. “I am so proud to have completed this program,” Lipp reflected. “As apprentices, we all worked very hard to complete the required hours, and it feels gratifying to end it all with a graduation ceremony. It took a lot of people and effort to make this program a reality, so I think that is worth celebrating.” This apprenticeship represents a transformative step for Maine’s aquaculture workforce, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of this vital industry. With continued collaboration between the MAA, GMRI, and state and federal agencies, the program is expected to expand and serve as a model for workforce development in the rest of the country. The Maine Department of Labor is committed to supporting innovative solutions that foster the growth of emerging industries and provide valuable career opportunities on the working waterfront for future generations.
Press Release: MAA Hires New Role Focused on Community Engagement
The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine (Kat) Lipp to the role of Community Engagement Coordinator. This new position is vital to MAA’s ongoing efforts to support sea farmers in becoming successful business owners, stewards of the environment, and valued additions to the working waterfront. Lipp will focus on establishing a coastal ambassador network and developing intensive social license training for growers. “Social license” is defined as the informal, ongoing support granted by the community for a project, which remains a crucial aspect of Maine’s aquaculture leasing system. This requires farmers to lay significant community engagement groundwork to receive approval from the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and operate on their sites. The Ambassador Program aims to develop essential public engagement skills, enabling farmers to navigate the process confidently while fostering community trust. Misinformation about aquaculture can create division on the waterfront and threaten the livelihoods of hardworking sea farmers and commercial fishermen. In response, the role of Community Engagement Coordinator was created. “These farmers contribute immensely to working waterfronts and local economies, providing jobs and producing food sustainably,” says Trixie Betz, Outreach and Development Specialist at the MAA. “Sea farmers should not have to debunk myths in order to gain community support. As aquaculture grows, Mainers deserve accurate information.” Lipp brings a wealth of experience to the role: before moving to Maine, she gained valuable experience in Alaska fisheries including set netting for sockeye salmon and working as a fisheries observer. As operations manager at Salmon Sisters, she developed strong leadership communication skills. Recently, Lipp completed the first aquaculture apprenticeship in the U.S. with over 2000 hours of hands-on training at Mere Point Oyster Co. in Brunswick, ME and 144 hours of technical coursework through Southern Maine Community College. Lipp’s deep understanding of working waterfronts and her natural ability to connect with people makes her an ideal fit for this role. “I am thrilled to join the MAA team and provide further support to our hardworking network of farmers,” says Lipp. “I am confident that with my background in both aquaculture and wild fisheries, I will be able to effectively foster strategic relationships in Maine. I look forward to working closely with our coastal communities on a personal level to promote the responsible stewardship of our marine spaces.” A recent survey by the MAA shows strong support for aquaculture in Maine, with 83% of residents familiar with the sector backing its growth. Among all Mainers, eight in ten believe aquaculture can play an important role in preserving Maine's working waterfronts and in diversifying the economic base of Maine's coastal and rural communities. Even those less familiar with aquaculture recognize its importance for Maine and its future. The survey highlights a significant correlation between the understanding of aquaculture and higher support for the industry, underscoring the importance of education and access to accurate information. The Ambassador program aims to engage growers, fishermen and coastal residents in discussion about aquaculture. Fiona de Koning from Hollander & De Koning Mussels praised the program saying, “its inception has filled a gap in communication and mentoring opportunities at the community level. Work like this is so important to both preventing and correcting misunderstandings about sea farming.” Alicia Gaiero, owner of Nauti Sisters Sea Farm in Yarmouth, adds “As growers, it’s on us to earn the trust of the communities where we farm, and the MAA is here to support us. For young oyster growers, this program is essential as we expand our businesses. By fostering transparency and mutual respect, we're strengthening the very fabric of our local communities. This initiative is a game-changer for sustainable growth and community collaboration.” As Maine’s aquaculture industry grows, facilitating open and honest conversations are essential. With climate change and gentrification threatening our working waterfronts, aquaculture offers new business and career options; however, these opportunities depend on farmers’ ability to grow their farms and create more jobs. The Ambassador Program, led by Lipp, seeks to enhance perceptions of aquaculture, boost social investment, and better integrate the industry in Maine’s future.
Blazing the trail: Aquaculture, Tourism, and Maine’s Future
For the 2024 Bangor Daily News Aquaculture & Marine Resources Publication
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or an oyster bed), you likely saw that the Maine Oyster Trail was recently featured in the New York Times, reaching over 100,000 readers in a single week. Created in partnership with Maine Sea Grant, the Oyster Trail is an interactive oyster tourism guide to Maine’s oyster businesses and experiences. While that story captured the beauty of enjoying oysters along our coast, it missed what’s truly transformative about the Trail: its role in strengthening Maine’s seafood economy, bolstering small businesses, and keeping our working waterfronts alive. Since its launch in 2021, the Maine Oyster Trail has attracted over 5,800 users who’ve logged over 9,000 check-ins at oyster businesses. “The Maine Oyster Trail has brought more visibility to small farms like ours, and given visitors a meaningful way to connect with the people and place behind the oysters,” reports Kelly Punch, Catering Event Manager at Mere Point Oyster Company. “Beyond boosting sales, it’s deepened our community connections and opened doors we never expected.” In an effort to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic, many oyster farmers began selling oysters directly to consumers, offering farm tours, shucking lessons, and other oyster experiences to help diversify their businesses. The Maine Oyster Trail was born from this spirit of resilience, and it has grown into a national model for how aquaculture and tourism can work together. “It’s been a crucial revenue generator during a pivotal period of the year for us,” says Cameron Barner of Love Point Oysters. “Operating oyster farm tours has been an excellent way for our small business to foster lifelong oyster enthusiasts and share our farm with the public.” The real power of the trail lies in how it turns curiosity into connection—and revenue—not just for oyster farmers, but also for the many seafood wholesalers, boatbuilders, equipment suppliers, restaurants, and tourism operations who rely on a thriving waterfront economy. Maine’s identity is built around our working waterfronts and coastal communities, which attract millions of people to our state every year. The Trail provides an opportunity for all those visitors to engage with the realities of those working waterfronts beyond the postcard, and come face to face with the hard work it takes to put seafood on our tables and the people we have to thank for it. This kind of connection can only exist if working waterfronts do. The Maine Oyster Trail would not be possible without the infrastructure that supports our coastal economy. Behind every oyster slurped is a network of other businesses, wharves, and working people. Supporting this infrastructure is critical—not just for tourism, but for preserving Maine’s coastal identity and economy. We’re thrilled the Oyster Trail is turning heads, and with that we also hope it engenders a greater respect for the essential working waterfronts that support it. Maine’s future depends on our seafood economy, which is about more than what’s on your plate: it’s about the people who make it possible. Visit maineoystertrail.com to check out the trail!