This Press Release was done in coordination with the Fishing Community Coalition
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Brunswick, Maine — This Saturday morning, as the curtain lifted on the final day of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport, Maine, news spread among our fishing communities that our valued colleagues at Sea Grant had lost their funding overnight when the federal government shuttered the Maine Sea Grant program.
“We are devastated and frankly shocked by this news, knowing the value proposition that Sea Grant offers for our coastal communities and fishing fleets,” said Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “Maine’s Sea Grant programs actively collaborate with our fishing communities, businesses and schools to maximize the impact of federal funding and contribute to long-term economic viability in our coastal communities.”
In 2023, Maine Sea Grant’s federal investment of $1.5 million resulted in an economic benefit of $23.5 million. That means that for every dollar spent on Maine Sea Grant, our coastal communities get the value of $15.60.
The Young Fishermen’s Development Program is a shining example of how this organization works with our fishing communities to help us chart a path forward against strong headwinds.
“I have had a great working relationship with Sea Grant for decades — as long as I’ve been working in the fishing industry,” said Noah Oppenheim, coordinator for the Fishing Communities Coalition. “No other federal program has staff as invested in the success of our fishing industry than Sea Grant.”
In 2023 alone, the Maine chapter created or supported 332 local businesses and 565 jobs in the state. Its staff also managed 12 industry innovation, research and program development grants to foster more resilient Maine communities and economies.
“Every fishing town in Maine will be affected by this shutdown. Sea Grant’s work in Maine includes training young fishermen for opportunities to enter and lead our fishing industry, as well as listening and responding to the needs of our fishing communities,” said Gerry Cushman, a fourth-generation Maine fisherman, founding member of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and a board member of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. “We hope this potentially disastrous decision for Maine’s fishing industry was an oversight that will be corrected swiftly so we can get back to the work of strengthening our industry with our partners at Maine Sea Grant.”
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Media contact:
Ben Martens | 207.619.1755 | ben@mainecoastfishermen.org
