A $480,402 grant awarded by the federal government will allow a seafood support organization, headquartered at the University of Maine, to grow its capacity regionally and nationwide.
The Local Catch Network received the money from a U.S. Department of Agriculture program called Agricultural Marketing Services.
Since its founding in 2011, the network has helped more than 70 community-based seafood businesses across New England, Florida, Alaska, California and Puerto Rico.
The network offers free business and technical assistance, scientific research and networking opportunities for seafood businesses nationwide. The goal is to grow community-based seafood systems by supporting businesses committed to the well-being of their coastal communities and marine ecosystems.
Business skills
Togue Brawn, owner and founder of Bath scallop distributor Downeast Dayboat, said she needed a business consultant who could help with long-term stability and growth, but worried they would be too expensive or prioritize profit over her commitment to supporting Maine seafood.
“The original impetus for this business was to get fishermen more money, not to make money for myself,” she said.
In 2025, Brawn enrolled in the network’s one-year mentorship program, called Seafood Accelerator and Innovation Lab, or SAIL. The mentorship pairs entrepreneurs with fishing business professionals who provide one-on-one guidance and long-term financial planning.
Brawn connected with Chris Kantowicz of Skipper Otto, a community-supported fishery in British Columbia, who helped her with financial planning. By the end of the mentorship, Brawn decided to downsize her business and focus on direct-to-consumer sales, while also attending more events to promote her products, rather than focusing on wholesale growth.
Now in its third year, SAIL has helped 12 businesses. A related three-month program, SAIL Catalyst, provides additional instruction topics such as capital access, contracts, partnerships, insurance, employment, taxation and marketing.
Now in its fourth year, SAIL Catalyst has helped 54 businesses and nearly 150 individuals.
The network’s growth and capacity has also been fueled by $2 million in congressionally directed spending secured in 2022.
“These federal funding sources provide the foundational support for our organization to foster a vital and growing network of community-based seafood businesses,” said Joshua Stoll, a UMaine associate professor of marine policy who founded the network.
