ASSESSMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND CHALLENGES IN MAINE AQUACULTURE

In the forty years since aquaculture industry began in Maine, the technology and practices for raising dominant species such as Atlantic salmon, American oysters, and blue mussels, etc…. have been refined, with specialized equipment to meet the needs of raising each species. However, due to constant change of the environment such as temperature rise, coastal erosion, more frequent storm surge, etc., it is necessary to identify and to find solutions to the challenges currently facing farmers, as well as those that might arise in the future, in order to maximize benefits.

The goal of the report is to assess current technologies and challenges in Maine aquaculture. Analyzing published landing data from the Department of Marine Resources and cultivation area, this report demonstrates that Atlantic salmon, American oysters, blue mussels are the three most dominant species in Maine. In addition, the project also looks into ongoing research of other possible species that can help expand Maine aquaculture and also give farmers more options in terms of what to grow. In recent years, research has shown some success in cultivating kelp and sea urchins in Maine. For their high nutritional values, high market prices and the ease of farm set up, kelp and sea urchins are considered good candidates for new aquaculture species in the next few years. After identifying the species, this research reports on the methods and technologies used in cultivation for each of them. Such methods and technologies include both those that are currently used in Maine as well as those employed in other places for comparison. Current challenges in raising each species are also considered such as mooring system, icing problem during New England winter, bio fouling in cages, etc…. The information is obtained from both literature research and interviews of leading people in the field of Maine aquaculture. Finally, the report concludes by analyzing the effects of environmental changes on aquaculture species. These changes include rises of temperature, sea level, decrease of salinity as well as other long term consequences such as increasingly frequent storm surge on aquaculture species. From that, recommendations are made on technology research trend.