Wright’s Wharf Bulkhead Project

The State of Maine and federal government provided one-time funds to complete the renovation of a wharf and retaining wall at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. This investment will help to bring the wharf back into operation and provide additional commercial fishing vessel berthing that supports fishing, aquaculture, and seafood supply-chain jobs. The renovated retaining wall will stabilize Wright's Wharf for future construction in support of marine research at sea and for continued long-term marine job development.

Wright’s Wharf, where GMRI’s building and the U.S. Coast Guard’s pier is located, is owned by GMRI. It is supported by a stone and metal bulkhead (a retaining wall) that keeps the wharf from settling into the Fore River. The west-side of the metal length of the bulkhead is severely corroded and needs to be rebuilt.

On November 5, 2019, Maine’s voters passed an infrastructure bond issue that “Provides funds ($1 million) for the renovation of a wharf and bulkhead at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland to bring the wharf back into operation as secured access and berthing for commercial fishing vessels and to support vessels for marine research at sea that supports continued long-term marine job development.” Between 2020 and 2022, former GMRI CEO Don Perkins secured an additional $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the Maine State Legislature. With $3 million in public funding secured, GMRI began the project to restore this section of working waterfront, which includes up to four small commercial fishing vessel berths.