What Works Solution

Luke’s Lobster and B Corp Certification

BACKGROUND In the last decade, there has been a growing interest among consumers in ensuring that seafood is sustainable and locally sourced. More recently, there has been increasing focus on ensuring that businesses do right by their community and work toward social justice and inclusion. These values are often summed… SEE MORE

What Works Solution

ScrapDogs Community Compost – Enterprise for Sustainability

BACKGROUND Many who set out to do good in their communities might consider the nonprofit business model, while others choose to become green entrepreneurs and create for-profit businesses that are focused on sustainability. Tessa Rosenberry and Davis Saltonstall have tried both, and they believe that, while there’s no one-size-fits-all approach… SEE MORE

Sustainable Livelihoods

What Works Solution

Isle au Haut General Store – The Island Co-op

BACKGROUND A cooperative has become a popular model for businesses that serve Maine communities, because it ensures that a small community can maintain some essential services despite its low population density. Cooperatives, or co-ops, are collectively owned by customers, and overseen by a board of directors who are democratically elected… SEE MORE

Sustainable Livelihoods

What Works Solution

Mook Sea Farm’s Solar and Energy Efficient Pump System

Mook Sea Farm, an aquaculture facility on the Damariscotta River in midcoast Maine, has installed energy efficient pumps as well as a solar array. This effort reflects the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and preparing for the effects of climate change. BACKGROUND Mook Sea Farm was founded in… SEE MORE

What Works Solution

The Cranberry Isles Fishermen’s Co-op’s Solar Project

The Cranberry Isles Fishermen’s Co-op, located on the island of Islesford off of Mt. Desert Island, Maine, installed a 45.4 kW solar array on their facility in 2019. Funded by grants and investments from the co-op, the system will break even after seven to nine years. BACKGROUND The Cranberry Isles… SEE MORE

What Works Solution

Pendleton Yacht Yard’s Solar and Storage System

Pendleton Yacht Yard, on the island of Islesboro in midcoast Maine, saw huge electric bills due largely to spikes in power use from machinery. As part of installing a 40 kW solar array system at their facilities in 2017, they added batteries to smooth out their power demand. They’ll break… SEE MORE

What Works Solution

Long Island’s Volunteer Water Testers

Commercial aquaculture, a source of income for an increasing number of coastal Mainers as a means to bolster their marine livelihoods, is not possible unless the waters one plans to farm in are designated as suitable for shellfish harvest by the Department of Marine Resources (DMR). Zones that have not… SEE MORE

Sustainable Livelihoods

What Works Solution

Basket Island’s Out-Of-State Marketing

BACKGROUND Mark Green got into aquaculture because of his time spent in labs working with shellfish on ocean acidification research. While he enjoyed the scientific process, one of his favorite parts of the job was the husbandry related to taking care of his specimens—feeding them, cleaning them, and making sure they… SEE MORE

Sustainable Livelihoods

What Works Solution

University of New England’s Ocean Food Systems Program

BACKGROUND Workforce development in the marine biology and ocean food systems sectors will be critical to seeing Maine’s marine economy prosper in an uncertain and unpredictable future. All levels of preparation are key in order to serve all the labor needs of a growing and changing industry. The University of New… SEE MORE

What Works Solution

Aquaculture Business Development Program

BACKGROUND The world is eating more farmed seafood than ever before, and aquaculture continues to grow faster than any other major food production sector. Maine’s aquaculture sector generates $137.6 million for the states economy and is poised to grow significantly in the coming years. As a result, more communities are looking at ways to… SEE MORE