Resources Database

Evaluates all shellfish growing areas in the state of Maine to determine their suitability for harvest by conducting a "sanitary survey," which is a three-fold process.

This project aimed to identify a gear coating that deters and mitigates predation by oyster drills (Urosalpinx cinerea) and starfish (Asterias rubens) on aquaculture eastern oysters. Identifying potential strategies to mitigate starfish and oyster drill snail predation on eastern oysters could increase oyster survival, which would increase yield and revenue.

This flowchart maps the different licenses you need to have to sell your aquaculture shellfish out of state by mail or by vehicle, and in the state of Maine including selling direct to restaurants, and wholesale distributors, at a farmer's market, your home, and your lease site.

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.

Licenses AND Sanitation Certificates must be applied for online! This is new and the preferred system for applications now. This includes Shellstock Shipper Certificate, Shucker-Packer Certificate, Shellfish Reshipper Certificate, and Depuration Processor Certificate.

Free online boating safety course that is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and the Maine state boating license agency. Complete the course in three steps: enroll in a Boating Safety Course from the course catalog, study and pass the free Boating Safety Course, and print out your certificate of completion.

Listen in as Carissa Maurin and Chris Vonderweidt, from the GMRI Aquaculture Program, lead a webinar (originally recorded on 4/13/21) teaching users the basics about The Maine Aquaculturist – a free to use aquaculture business knowledge portal - and how it can be an asset for aquaculture businesses.

Provides a summary of direct and indirect environmental factors that may affect your site selection for your marine aquaculture business.

An ID guide to organisms commonly found in, on, and around oyster grow bags ​and other aquaculture equipment used in the Gulf of Maine and North Atlantic.

This brochure gives an overview on the public health safety precautions in place in the aquaculture industry including the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC).

Coastal Enterprises, Inc. provides loans to aquaculturists. If you are seeking to grow your aquaculture operation but have had difficulty getting a loan from a commercial lender, CEI is here to help.

Report on spat collection equipment and practices that could be useful to stock enhancement and aquaculture in Maine such as the use of spat bags to capture competent scallop larvae and the creation of spawner sanctuaries.

The Sea Grant network has established a National Seaweed Hub to serve as a science-based, non-advocacy resource for the domestic seaweed and seaweed aquaculture industry. This collaboration provides a framework to share information, address challenges, identify needs, and find opportunities in this emerging industry.

This first-of-its-kind Maine Aquaculture Industry Financial Benchmarking report presents results from the calculation of a series of benchmarks designed to serve as guidance for prospective Maine shellfish and seaweed producers for use in their business planning, as well as by lenders in the evaluation of loan applications.

Aquaculture of softshell clams (Mya arenaria), also called “steamer clams”, has grown steadily and is becoming a significant industry in New England. Examined in this fact sheet are specific aspects of softshell clam production during the Hatchery Phase and a description of variations in management practices at three shellfish facilities: two in Massachusetts and one in Maine.

University of Maryland Extension, Maryland Sea Grant, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Chesapeake Oyster Alliance are proud partners for “Seed to $$$” - a program for those in aquaculture to learn to manage their businesses for more profit. The US has experienced rapid economic growth in the last few years. This was due to increased spending designed to stimulate the economy in the wake of the pandemic. Recordings of the 8 presentations from the Seed to $$$ meeting are now available for viewing.