Maine Aquaculture Workforce Development Strategy

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Maine Aquaculture Association, in partnership with Educate Maine and sponsored by FocusMaine, developed a strategy to establish a comprehensive training system that meets the labor needs of Maine’s growing aquaculture industry today and as the industry continues to evolve. Direct input from Maine’s aquaculture industry — including established and prospective land-based operations, marine producers, service providers, and supply chain companies — formed the base of the analysis.

The consultants interviewed or surveyed 62 businesses in total. In-person, collaborative meetings with 15 of those businesses helped refine and improve the interview and survey process. In addition, the consultants met in-person with representatives of 17 of Maine’s education or training institutions and surveyed another 33. The GMRI project team further supported collaborative efforts by convening a steering committee of 30 representatives from various Maine education and training institutions, who provided critical feedback throughout the project. This analysis identified gaps in existing training programs (e.g., academic, vocational) and provides short- and long-term recommendations for developing a robust and cohesive aquaculture training system.

We utilized a foreign consulting team from a Scotland, a country that boasts a well-developed aquaculture industry, to understand aquaculture industry development, the workforce needs of developing and mature aquaculture sectors, and education systems that produce business ready graduates. Working with a team from Scotland that has no connections to Maine added fresh perspectives and process objectivity to the project.