With $500K in federal funds, GMRI to ramp up training for Maine's aquaculture industry

FILE / Courtesy of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute The Gulf of Maine Research Institute, headquartered on Portland's waterfront, received funding to create an aquaculture workforce training program.

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By Jessica Hall

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute has been awarded $500,000 to create a Maine aquaculture workforce training program that will help students pursue careers in the growing field.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The nonprofit, Portland-based institute will work with the Maine Department of Labor and the state's community colleges to create aquaculture apprenticeships and new aquaculture courses, allowing participants to gain real-world experience while pursuing a college degree.

The program will include a series of credentialed aquaculture short courses at Southern Maine Community College, forming the basis of an aquaculture certificate. With coordination among SMCC, Washington County Community College, Mid-Coast School of Technology and the Maine DOL, dual-credit programs will also enable fast-tracked degree completion.

"For centuries, Maine’s waters have supported our coastal communities and driven important economic activity for our state. Aquaculture presents a significant opportunity to expand on this long tradition, and create good-paying Maine jobs for the 21st century,” said U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, in an announcement of the award.

“The Gulf of Maine Research Institute’s new training program will open important career paths and help create economic opportunity right here in our communities.”

Don Perkins, GMRI president and CEO, added, "Aquaculture represents a significant career opportunity for Mainers. Anyone with a strong work ethic and interest in making a living on the water will soon have access to affordable and convenient training opportunities around the state."

GMRI researches the complex marine ecology of the Gulf of Maine and studies the challenges of ocean stewardship and economic growth in the region. The institute provides students and teachers with science education resources and engages fishermen in collaborative research.