Visit Choose a Business Structure Choose a Business Structure The business structure you choose influences everything from day-to-day operations, to taxes, to how much of your personal assets are at risk. You should choose a business structure that gives you the right balance of legal protections and benefits. 2020 U.S. Small Business Association
Visit Oyster Production Equipment Comparisons 2016–2018 Oyster Production Equipment Comparisons 2016–2018 The report provides information on commercially relevant aspects of oyster production gear associated with each equipment type employed including, BST™ Crosshatch, BST™ Longline, OysterGro, Rack and Bag, & Seapa™. They tracked oyster survival, growth by season, shell morphology, worm presence, and cost estimates. 2020 Maryland Sea Grant, University of Maryland
Industry Perspective Kelp Farming Realities Growing kelp is great for the environment and here is what you'll need to know before starting a kelp farm from a phone interview with Briana Warner. Briana Warner, Chief Executive Officer (phone interview) 2020
Visit Edible Seaweed Market Analysis Edible Seaweed Market Analysis A critical study that describes the growth potential for Maine's edible seaweed market over the next fifteen years. This report documents the size and nature of the business opportunity and identifies the requirements for sustainable growth. 2020 Island Institute
Industry Perspective Why Restaurants May or May Not Buy Certain Oysters Direct from the chef's mouth — what he's looking for when buying an oyster for his restaurant. Michael Wiley, business owner/chef 2020
Visit How to Form an LLC in Maine How to Form an LLC in Maine Guidance on the five steps to form an LLC; chose a name, find a registered agent, file certificate of formation, create an operating agreement, and get an EIN. 2020 TRUiC
Visit Eastern Oyster Production in Maine: A Basic Overview Eastern Oyster Production in Maine: A Basic Overview An overview of oyster production techniques including nursery and husbandry, common gear used, and oyster biology. 2020 Maine Sea Grant
Visit Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested Verification Report Kelp (multiple species) Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested Verification Report Kelp (multiple species) Kelp offers a promising way for fishermen to diversify their income streams in the lobster offseason, and it's also the newest seafood product GMRI verified under their Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested® label. The Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested® label is a promise that seafood hails from the clean, cool waters of the Gulf of Maine and the fishery or farm is managed in a way that contributes to the long-term health of the resource. The label empowers consumers to buy seafood they can feel good about. 2020 Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Visit Aquaculture Farm Financial Management During the Pandemic Aquaculture Farm Financial Management During the Pandemic Dr. Carole Engle, a specialist in aquaculture economics, gives an overview on how to survive during cash deficits using short-term cash management plans and determining how much debt is too much to take on by calculating the debt to asset ratio. 2020 Engle-Stone Aquatic$ LLC
Visit Jones Act Jones Act Established in 1920 and revised in 2006, the Jones Act is a federal statute for the United States that provides the laws and regulations for U.S. waters and ports. 2020 Maritime Injury Guide
Visit Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Frequently Asked Questions to help employees and employers gain a general understanding of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) and its extension acts. 2020 U.S. Department of Labor
Visit Research, Development and Education Priorities for the Aquaculture Sector in Maine Research, Development and Education Priorities for the Aquaculture Sector in Maine This report is based on the research priorities survey conducted in June 2019 of Maine’s aquaculture community and is compared with surveys from 2012 and 2016 to look at trends. There have been some changes in the prioritization of needs since 2016, but many of the same research, development, and education (R&D&E) needs persist and remain unaddressed. As expected, there are different R&D&E priorities for different aquaculture sectors. 2020 Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center
Visit Maine Seaweed Council Maine Seaweed Council The Maine Seaweed Council strives to protect the ecosystems of Maine’s marine algae and adhere to sustainable cultivation and harvest practices, promote the use of Maine seaweeds, educate the public, regulators, and elected officials, and provide a collaborative forum for its members. 2020 Maine Seaweed Council
Visit Write a Business Plan Write a Business Plan Writing a strong business plan is important for any company as it provides a roadmap to success. The most important reason for writing a solid business plan is that it demonstrates to investors, financial institutions, and other lenders that you have a cohesive vision for your company. 2020 Maine Technology Institute
Visit Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for 2019 and Subsequent Years Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for 2019 and Subsequent Years Provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops to protect against natural disasters that result in lower yields or crop losses, or prevents crop planting. 2019 USDA Farm Service Agency
Visit Farm Loan Information Chart Farm Loan Information Chart Fact sheet outlining USDA loan programs, maximum loan amounts, rates, terms, and use of proceeds. 2019 USDA Farm Service Agency
Visit What Does the Oyster Consumer Want? What Does the Oyster Consumer Want? Reviews quality, consistency, cleanliness, food safety, shape, flavor, year-round availability, timely shipping, attractive packaging and a nice name. 2019 East Coast Shellfish Growers Association
Visit The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture: Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture: Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals In-depth paper on the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 2018 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Visit Farm Loans Overview Farm Loans Overview Overview of the different types of farm loans you can get from the USDA such as FSA farm loan, farm ownership loan, farm operating loan, conservation loans and more. 2017 USDA Farm Service Agency
Visit Maine Farmed Shellfish Market Analysis Maine Farmed Shellfish Market Analysis A data-driven, quantitative market assessment that informs industry leaders and business owners about the potential scale and scope of markets for farmed shellfish and to facilitate strategic growth in the industry. 2016 Gulf of Maine Research Institute, The Hale Group LTD
Visit Growing Your Aquaculture Business: Expanding or Diversifying Growing Your Aquaculture Business: Expanding or Diversifying Dr. Carole Engle, a specialist in aquaculture economics, discusses growing your aquaculture businesses: whether should you expand or diversify and what conditions should you consider doing so. This will help you determine if is it the right time to expand your business, increase production, or move into new markets. 2015 Engle-Stone Aquatic$ LLC, National Aquaculture Association
Visit The Business of Aquaculture The Business of Aquaculture Reviews the keys to running a successful business; the four P's of marketing, wholesale distributors, risks, and sales. 2015 Aquaculture in Shared Waters
Visit Maine Seafood Study Maine Seafood Study A study the researched and inventoried the seasonality, sources, and market utilization of locally produced seafood within the state and help educate food consumers at many different levels about the opportunities for gaining access to Maine seafood. 2015 Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Visit Marketing Cultured Oysters Marketing Cultured Oysters Video of a workshop that goes over niche marketing for raw bar cultured oysters, differentiating your product on qualities and adapting your marketing pitch, how to target key buyers and get maximum return. 2015 East Coast Shellfish Growers Association