Maine’s wild fisheries and its flourishing aquaculture sector are at a pivotal moment, grappling with the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change. To ensure the survival and prosperity of Maine’s waterfront communities, adapting and evolving these industries is not just an option—it’s a necessity. One of the most effective strategies to drive industry growth is through "technology transfer." For Maine aquaculture, this means learning about innovative species, resources, and cultural practices from around the globe and integrating these insights into local practices.
Maine has leveraged technology transfers with great success in recent years to introduce new (native) species, technologies, culture techniques, equipment, market development and culinary uses for emerging species of shellfish and kelp. Technology transfer allows participants to fully immerse in a local culture and meet with chefs, fishermen, growers, processors, retailers, restaurateurs, equipment manufacturers, government officials and scientists.
During this presentation several examples will be highlighted including recent trips studying the kelp industry in South Korea, culinary uses of scallops in Northern France, the kelp and farmed scallop industries of Hokkaido and Aomori, Japan and farmed scallops in Atlantic Canada. As our nation’s fisheries and aquaculture sector navigate these transformative times, we must actively seek out and implement strategies that will sustain and support the hardworking communities at the heart of our waterfronts.