Maine’s blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) industry has long played an important role in the state’s working waterfront economy, yet production remains limited. To better understand both ecological potential and industry constraints, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) launched two complementary initiatives: the Mussel Bed Mapping project and the Unlocking the Potential of Blue Mussel Aquaculture study. Together, these efforts provide a comprehensive picture of the current state, barriers, and future opportunities for mussel aquaculture in Maine.
The Mussel Bed Mapping project combines community science with advanced acoustic technology to locate and monitor shifting mussel habitats in Maine. As mussel beds have moved from the intertidal zone to deeper subtidal areas that are rarely exposed, we rely on coastal observers to head out during negative tide days to photograph mussel beds and record their observations. These community reports guide our fieldwork, where we use a Simrad EK60 echosounder with a 200 kHz transducer to map mussel and fringing habitats through tight survey transects. We then analyze the acoustic data, apply a habitat classification algorithm, and ground-truth our results using a submersible ROV to confirm the presence and extent of mussel beds.
Concurrently, GMRI’s qualitative and economic assessment of Maine’s commercial mussel farms highlighted key operational challenges, including unpredictable seed settlement, limited processing infrastructure, and the high cost of labor and permitting. Interviews with all active mussel farmers in Maine revealed a shared interest in hatchery-based and hybrid spat collection models, greater access to financing for innovation, and the streamlining of lease and permit processes. Comparative analyses with New Zealand and Prince Edward Island demonstrate that targeted government investment in hatchery capacity, research, and infrastructure can dramatically expand production and resilience.
By integrating ecological mapping with direct industry insight, this work establishes a baseline for both restoration and commercial planning efforts. It underscores the importance of spatial data in identifying optimal sites for mussel culture, informs seed management strategies, and highlights pathways to scale a resilient, sustainable, and locally distinct Mytilus edulis aquaculture sector in Maine and the broader Gulf of Maine.