Aquaculture Training for Maine Fishermen

Funded by a grant from the NOAA Aquaculture Program and NOAA’s Northeast Regional Office, the ‘Cod Academy’ project will include classroom instruction by academic, regulatory, and industry representatives. Partici- pants also will receive hands-on sea cage experience at Maine’s first and only commercial cod farm in Frenchman Bay (Sorrento). The course is being created and delivered at no cost to the fishermen by the Maine Aquacu- ture Association, Great Bay Aquaculture of Maine, Coastal Enterprises Inc., and the University of Maine Center for Cooperative Aquacul- ture Research in Franklin.

Two informational meetings about the course offerings. These meetings are scheduled for Thursday, June 24, from 4:00-6:00 PM at the Ellsworth City Hall and Tuesday, June 29, from 4:00-6:00 PM at the University of Maine at Machias, Science Bldg., Room 102.

“By delivering the knowledge and skills for sustainable marine aquaculture, the Cod Academy will provide fishing families and communities in Maine with additional options for seafood production, create jobs, and support the long-term viability of our working waterfronts,” said Michael Rubino, NOAA’s Aquacul- ture Program manager.

There are future plans to develop a program that would show trainees how to open their own finfish fish farm.