Fisheries & Marine

The recent wave of expansions demonstrates that Maine’s life sciences sector is not only growing, but putting down long-term roots.

Bold Coast Seafood, in Prospect Harbor, will invest in infrastructure needed to buy, process and sell Jonah crab, a native species that is legally harvested in lobster traps but largely thrown back into the ocean alive because Maine lacks processing capacity.

Co-hosted by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and Hatch Blue, with support from the Maine Technology Institute, the event is designed to accelerate the translation of ocean research into commercial opportunities.

With MTI support, Brooklin Boat Yard will build a 7,520-square-foot service and technology facility. The new building will allow the company to take on additional new build, restoration and service projects and to hire 10 additional employees.

The Maine Office of Community Affairs has named a 15-member advisory council to identify and seek solutions to issues facing Maine’s working waterfronts.

Heather Moretti said her top priority as waterfront coordinator will be “to help usher in a new phase for a thriving, dynamic waterfront in Portland, preserving our heritage industries while also welcoming innovation in the blue economy.”

Funds are available for properties that retain their use for fishing, aquaculture and closely related commercial marine activities.

Lobster reproduction and growth in changing environmental conditions and potential effects of offshore energy installations on seafloor habitats are among topics to be studied.

The spending minibus passed the House with bipartisan support, 341-88, and now moves to the Senate.

The latest funds would support Maine’s lobster industry by improving research related to the endangered species. The federal government has been investing in the development of technologies to improve fishing gear and population monitoring.