Maine organizations help fishermen start aquaculture farms  – Mount Desert Islander

HALLOWELL — In keeping with the Maine Aquaculture Affiliation, the state’s aquaculture has loved accountable progress over the past 20 years at a mean fee of two p.c, however lower than 1 p.c of Maine’s coastal waters are used for aquaculture. A gaggle of organizations in Maine has opened registration for a coaching program designed for fishermen to learn to farm seafood.  

Hosted by Coastal Enterprises Inc., Maine Aquaculture Affiliation, Maine Aquaculture Innovation Heart and Maine Sea Grant, the Aquaculture in Shared Waters program focuses on the cultivation of commercially priceless species together with oysters, mussels, scallops and kelp. College students be taught from main trade, regulatory and scientific specialists on matters like website choice, allowing, animal husbandry, tools, enterprise planning, financing, advertising and marketing and group relations.  

“For the previous 10 years, the Aquaculture in Shared Waters course has served as an important software to assist fishermen be taught to farm the ocean, diversify their revenue and pioneer a brand new trade on Maine’s working waterfront,” stated Sebastian Belle, government director of the Maine Aquaculture Affiliation.  

For the reason that program started in 2013, over 400 college students have accomplished the course, 30 new aquaculture companies have been established and 60 companies have been expanded or retained by financial diversification. 

“Having fished in Penobscot Bay and southeast Alaska for a few years, this coaching course was an excellent match for me, and I’m now within the early levels of beginning a scallop farm,” stated Michael Scott from Isle au Haut.  

The Shared Waters program obtained nationwide recognition in 2020 because the recipient of the Superior Outreach Programming Award from the Nationwide Sea Grant Program. 

The 2023 course will start on Jan. 3 on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. every week for 14 classes, concluding in early April with non-obligatory subject journey alternatives within the spring. Will probably be provided in particular person on the College of Maine Hutchinson Heart in Belfast, with a digital possibility obtainable. It’s freed from cost and functions are open to all primarily based in Maine. Purposes shall be accepted at www.aquacultureinsharedwaters.org till Dec.1. 

The 2023 course is made potential with funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, administered by the Maine Division of Marine Sources.  

For extra details about Maine aquaculture, go to https://maineaqua.org.