Milestones

Aquaculture in Maine

Aquaculture in the U.S.

Aquaculture in the World

• 1949 European oysters from the Netherlands are stocked in Maine.
   
• 1964 First soft-shell clams spawned in lab for research purposes in Boothbay Harbor by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory.
   
• 1966 Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) begins experiments cultivating many forms of marine life, including oysters.
   
• 1970 Conference on aquaculture in New England held by the Research Institute of the Gulf of Maine (TRIGOM) in Durham, New Hampshire. First state finfish grow-out efforts by Maine Salmon Farms, Wiscasset.
   
• 1972 Aquaculture hatchery built at the University of Maine's Ira C. Darling Center in Walpole as the foundation for the first Sea Grant-funded project on the Culture of Resources in a Cold Water Marine Environment. First facility to raise soft-shell clams on a large scale and to produce triploid shellfish of four species (Eastern oysters, 1979; soft-shell clams and bay scallops, 1981; hard-shell clams, 1986).
   
• 1973 Enactment of the Maine Aquaculture Law that governs the leasing of public marine waters by private interests.
   
• 1974-1977 Transfer of shellfish hatchery technology from university to private sector.
   
• 1975 First aquaculture lease granted in Maine to Abandoned Farm, Inc., Clark's Cove, South Bristol.
   
• 1977 Formation of Maine Aquaculture Association.
   
• 1979 Maine's first mussel bottom-culture lease.
   
• 1980 Development of Maine Aquaculture Plan by State Planning Office.
   
• 1983 Jonesboro 4-H marine project — the stepping-stone that spawned Cutler and Beals Island hatcheries.
   
• 1985 Establishment of Fisheries & Aquaculture Research Group (FARG) within UM Agricultural Experiment Station.
   
• 1986 Founding of Cutler Marine Hatchery, first privately operated, fishermen-sponsored lobster rearing facility in the U.S.
   
• 1987 Founding of Beals Island Regional Shellfish Hatchery, the first shellfish management program that uses hatchery-reared soft-shell clams.
   
• 1988 Formation of Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center at the University of Maine.
   
• 1989 Formation of Cobscook Bay Finfish Growers Association.
   
• 1990 Cobscook Bay Finfish Growers Association disbands and members join Maine Aquaculture Association. State of Maine issues "The Aquaculture Strategy for Maine." Ruling on a case brought by Maine salmon growers, the U.S. International Trade Commission imposes an anti-dumping duty on imported Norwegian Atlantic salmon.
   
• 1991 Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center becomes independent of the University of Maine.
   
• 1992 Research is initiated on the potential of nori cultivation in the Gulf of Maine.
   
• 1993 The International Commission for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) approves the State of Maine's request to introduce nori (Porphyra yezoensis) into Gulf of Maine waters. Researchers spawn the Stimpson surf clam - a species with commercial potential - for the first time.
   
• 1994 Nori is harvested commercially. MAIC sponsors a project to collect halibut to build broodstock and research the potential of halibut farming. Maine aquafarms begin to provide marine products (salmonid plasma, and tracer dyes from seaweed) for the biomedical technology industry.
   
• 1995 National Marine Fisheries Service and MAIC provide grants for the establishment of experimental cod hatcheries at Swans Island and in Franklin. The Commissioner of Marine Resources begins a process to update "The Aquaculture Strategy for Maine." Salmon aquafarms finance the establishment of a full time Executive Director position for the Maine Aquaculture Association.
   
• 1996 Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) establishes an office with a full-time Executive Director; DMR Commissioner creates a State Aquaculture Advisory Committee to consider updating the 1990 "Aquaculture Strategy for Maine." The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center embarks on new strategy to generate greater support for aquaculture research, technology transfer and business develpment. The University of Maine wins National Science Foundation support to expand its aquaculture research and teaching roles.
   
• 1997 Robin Alden, Commissioner of Marine Resources, releases "Maine1s Aquaculture Strategy," a planning document that was crafted by industry, government and university volunteers over an 18 month period. "The goal for Maine is to transform aquaculture into a major growth industry by building on Maine1s natural assets, maritime heritage, and proximity to major east coast markets. Maine will create a sustainable aquaculture industry that will survive over the long term in the face of bold international competition."
   
• 1998 The Maine State Legislature enacts legislation allowing the Department of Marine Resources to grant marine lease sites to companies, individuals, and scientists who wish to conduct experiments.
   
• 1998 The Department of Marine Resources adds a "Senior Aquaculture Policy Specialist " to its staff. The new employee functions as the State Aquaculture Coordinator for Maine.
   
• 1999 The Department of Marine Resources grants the first experimental lease.
   
• 1999 The Federal Government's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announce their intent to list wild Atlantic salmon as a Federal Endangered Species. The Maine farmed salmon industry opposes listing, citing the lack of scientific basis for the proposed action. Governor Angus King also opposes the Federal action, emphasizing that the Maine Atlantic salmon Conservation Plan must be given an opportunity to yield restoration results.
   
• 1999 The University of Maine, Orono, purchases a recirculating hatchery facility in Franklin Maine, and establishes the Center for Collaborative Aquaculture Research (CCAR). The University expects to conduct research