Maine Sea Grant

04/16/2026

Have you heard peepers yet this year? Is your forsythia blooming? Maine Sea Grant's Signs of the Seasons Program will be hosting volunteer trainings and educators' workshops in April, May, and June. Please check out our 2026 dates and locations. We'd love to have you help us observe and record seasonal changes in your backyard or community!

SOS trainings provide education about the use of phenology and prepare volunteers to observe species in their local areas.

04/09/2026

Our sincere thanks to the 2026 Maine Office of Tourism for awarding LoveMaineWaters Coalition and Maine Sea Grant the Stewardship Award. We're thrilled to be recognized for Maine Sea Grant’s collective efforts with partners to sustainably grow tourism in a way that supports the local economy, environment, and community. This is part of our larger initiatives to reduce Marine Debris in coastal and Great Lakes funded by NOAA.

“This year’s award recipients embody the spirit of our brand platform, Forged by Nature. The experiences they provide and the stories they share are authentic, resilient, and deeply connected to the landscapes and communities that shape Maine,” said Maine Office of Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette. “Through their work and dedication, they highlight our beautiful landscapes, cultural institutions, and foodways while inspiring visitors to explore more of our beautiful state. I am grateful for the opportunity to honor these inspiring individuals and organizations through the Maine Tourism Awards.” (March 17, 2026)

https://umaine.edu/marine-debris/; https://seagrant.noaa.gov/communities/partnerships/

04/06/2026

Last Thursday, professionals, entrepreneurs, and educators gathered for the Blue Economy Career Summit at the University of Maine. A panel of marine professionals shared insights to the many pathways to coastal careers. We, of course, took the opportunity to spread the word about the NOAA Undergraduate Scholarship and upcoming fellowship. In addition, several graduate and undergraduate students competetively presented their research. Congratulations to the winners and thank you for sharing your work!

03/30/2026

Last call, folks ~ Applications are still open for AQUACULTURE BOOTCAMP 2026 from May 4th to 8th at the Darling Marine Center!

Please forward to anyone you know who might be interested! Participants can apply at aquacultureinsharedwaters.org or reach out directly with any questions.

>>https://aquacultureinsharedwaters.org/aquaculture-boot-camp

Or search "Aquaculture in Shared Waters" and go to --> Bootcamp

03/19/2026

On March 17, 2025, Maine Sea Grant hosted the workshop “Reducing Marine Debris at the Source: Embracing Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic Food Packaging.”

This event was a major milestone for the Marine Debris Challenge Project, a NOAA National Sea Grant Office–supported initiative led by the University of Maine and Maine Sea Grant to prevent and remove marine debris through innovative research-to-application projects.

Here are a few highlights from the day:

🌊 Scaling the ReuseME Pilot: We shared results from our ReuseME pilot program, which has been testing reusable take-out container systems in Bath, Bar Harbor, and South Portland. The goal is to determine how these systems can be scaled into a statewide program that benefits Maine’s communities and industries.

🌊 Cutting-Edge Biobased Materials: Our research tracks featured exciting updates on non-plastic packaging made from wood, seaweed, and even lobster shells.

🌊 Interdisciplinary Collaboration: It was inspiring to see our diverse team—from Engineering and Anthropology to Maine Sea Grant—working alongside Advisory Board members representing the food service, hospitality, and lobster industries.

🌊 Student Innovation in Action: Participants wrapped up the day with interactive tours of the Process Development Center and the Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center, seeing firsthand the biodegradable materials our students are developing in the lab.

A huge thank you to our partners, industry leaders, and community members who joined the discussion and helped us turn research into practical, implementable solutions for a cleaner Gulf.

03/14/2026

The Sea Grant Association presented U.S. Senator Susan Collins with its Sea Grant Association Award, in recognition of her extraordinary efforts to support the Sea Grant program, including the research, outreach, and education programs that strengthen U.S. seafood competitiveness, improve supply chain efficiency, and build a skilled workforce. Maine Sea Grant appreciates Senator Collins' tireless work to fully fund our program and buoy up the entire Sea Grant network. We are incredibly grateful for Senator Collins' leadership. Read more here: https://www.seagrant.org/news/maine-senator-susan-collins-receives-the-sea-grant-association-award



📷: Sea Grant Association

March 4, 2026 Washington D.C. — The Sea Grant Association presented U.S. Senator Susan Collins with its Sea Grant Association Award, in recognition of her commitment to supporting the Sea Grant program, including the research, outreach, and education programs that strengthen U

03/03/2026

Maine Sea Grant is now accepting applications for our annual Undergraduate Scholarship in Marine Sciences! The scholarship is open to undergraduates completing their second or third year at participating Maine institutions.

Applications close April 27, 2026. Learn more about the opportunity and how to apply here: https://seagrant.umaine.edu/funding-opportunities/maine-sea-grant-undergraduate-scholarship-in-marine-sciences/

03/02/2026

Thank you so much for all of your support in 2025. To help us continue our work, please fill out and share this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPwGTKPk4hO07rvEwtKGS8YiDXcVNBkS9t0Dg19m8DM7JFNA/viewform