Deemed an economic bright spot, Maine’s shellfish and seaweed farming industry has been growing slowly but steadily, with more retail and restaurant demand and value-added product development, growing enrollment in a variety of training programs.

A coalition of business, environmental and economic development organizations last week launched an education campaign to support the growth of the industry. It was announced at Bangs Island Mussels, a Portland mussel and kelp grower.

“With aquaculture, Maine can produce local, sustainable, healthy and great-tasting seafood while keeping working waterfronts working and fishing communities vibrant in a changing world,” said Sebastian Belle, executive director of the Maine Aquaculture Association.

The goal of the Maine Farmed Seafood Coalition's campaign is to provide education around farmed seafood’s contributions to Maine and the regulations governing it, according to a news release.

Benefits include jobs, a lower carbon footprint compared with imports and preservation of the state’s maritime heritage, the release said.

The U.S. imports about 80% of seafood consumed here; over half is farmed seafood. 

“Transportation of imported seafood from countries in Europe, Asia and South America generates a significant carbon footprint,” said Andrea Cianchette Maker, president of FocusMaine.  

She continued, “Growing seafood in Maine creates local jobs, supports local communities, is closer to local and domestic markets and adds value to Maine’s gross domestic product.  

The industry also helps to support and sustain Maine’s overall fishing industry, she added, as more commercial fishermen look to diversify their income stream through aquaculture. 

The coalition includes Maine Aquaculture Association, Coastal Enterprises Inc., FocusMaine, the Island Institute and the World Wildlife Fund.

According to the coalition, Maine’s aquaculture regulations are considered the “gold standard” for best practices and many other states and countries are beginning to use them as the basis for their own regulations. 

In cooperation with environmental groups and federal and state regulators, Maine sea farmers were some of the first in the world to develop best management practices and to include third-party auditing of those practices. 

“Many of those practices are now being imitated in other states and countries because they significantly reduce  environmental impacts,” the coalition said.

Source - https://www.mainebiz.biz