Maine Sea Grant
Maine Sea Grant is a federally-funded research and extension program at the University of Maine that supports coastal communities through marine science, fisheries support, aquaculture development, and education, serving fishermen, aquaculture farmers, students, and coastal municipalities in Maine.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersOrono, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Maine Sea Grant does
Maine Sea Grant is a federal-state partnership research, outreach, and education program housed within the University of Maine in Orono, Maine. It is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 34 designated programs funded primarily by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). The program supports Maine's coastal communities through marine science research, extension services, and educational programming, serving constituent groups including commercial fishermen, aquaculture farmers (oyster, scallop, seaweed), coastal municipalities, students, and academic researchers. The organization is led by Director Dr. Gayle Zydlewski (appointed July 2018) and operates with approximately 11 staff members across offices in Orono and Walpole (Darling Marine Center).
The program's core offerings span research programs, extension services, and educational initiatives. Key programs include the Coastal Conversations Radio Program on WERU Community Radio (launched 2018), the Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program (active since 1999, over 20 years of citizen science data across 12 beaches), the Sea-run Fish Research Program (NOAA partnership), the American Lobster Initiative, the Maine Oyster Trail, and seaweed grower resources. The program also produces Maine's Climate Future reports in partnership with the UMaine Climate Change Institute. As a non-profit, Maine Sea Grant does not sell products or services commercially; instead, it operates as a grant-funded intermediary that channels federal and institutional resources into applied marine science and community engagement. In 2024, a $1.7 million federal investment was associated with $20.2 million in documented economic benefits, 283 businesses supported, 489 jobs, and 138 students. In 2026, the program secured an additional $2 million in NOAA awards for American lobster research.
Maine Sea Grant firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Maine Sea Grant
- Legal name
- Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine
- Website
- https://seagrant.umaine.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Maine Sea Grant is a federally-funded research and extension program at the University of Maine that supports coastal communities through marine science, fisheries support, aquaculture development, and education, serving fishermen, aquaculture farmers, students, and coastal municipalities in Maine.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Maine Sea Grant industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Research and Extension Services
- NAICS
- Aquaculture (11251), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Marine Fishing (114119)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)
Keywords
Where Maine Sea Grant is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orono
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Maine Sea Grant business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Federal Government Funding: Maine Sea Grant operates as a federal-state partnership program primarily funded by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) with matching support from the University of Maine. In 2024, a federal investment of $1.7 million contributed to $20.2 million in documented economic benefits.
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Maine Sea Grant product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Maine Sea Grant is a federal-state partnership program based at the University of Maine that supports research, extension, and education related to Maine's coastal and marine resources. It provides competitive research funding, extension and outreach services, and formal and informal education programs for coastal communities, fishermen, aquaculture growers, and students. The program is primarily funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Product overview
Maine Sea Grant is a research and extension program at the University of Maine that supports Maine's coastal communities through research, outreach, and education. The organization operates as a collection of programs rather than a unified commercial product platform. Core offerings include the Coastal Conversations Radio Program (a monthly public affairs radio show on WERU), the Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program (citizen science beach monitoring since 1999), Sea-run Fish Research Program (in partnership with NOAA-Fisheries), American Lobster Initiative, Maine Oyster Trail, and Resources for Seaweed Growers. The organization also produces climate assessment publications including 'Maine's Climate Future' reports. As a NOAA-funded university program, Maine Sea Grant does not operate as a commercial technology company with products, APIs, or integrations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Coastal Conversations Radio Program Public-radio program that covers coastal and marine topics of relevance to Maine residents and coastal stakeholders.
- Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program Citizen-science beach monitoring program in which volunteers collect shoreline profile data in southern Maine to track coastal change.
- Sea-run Fish Research Program Research program focused on diadromous and sea-run fish species in Maine waters, supporting conservation and management.
- American Lobster Initiative Research, extension, and outreach initiative supporting the American lobster fishery in Maine through science and industry partnerships.
- Maine Oyster Trail Promotional and educational trail program that connects visitors with oyster farms and aquaculture experiences along the Maine coast.
- Resources for Seaweed Growers Extension resources and technical support for seaweed aquaculture growers in Maine.
- Maine's Climate Future Reports Reports documenting projected climate change impacts on Maine, with coastal and ocean-related findings.
Quantifiable outcome
- In 2024, $1.7M federal investment generated $20.2M in documented economic benefits
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Maine Sea Grant
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Maine Sea Grant technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Maine Sea Grant partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreNOAA provides the primary federal funding for Maine Sea Grant through the National Sea Grant College Program. Sea Grant is a federal-state partnership program that brings marine science to Maine people.
- University of MainecoreMaine Sea Grant is housed within the University of Maine and provides matching funds and institutional support. UMaine's School of Marine Sciences and other departments collaborate on research projects.
- Schoodic InstitutecoreSchoodic Institute is a key co-host partner for the Coastal Conversations radio program. Their Sea to Trees podcast is featured regularly. Schoodic Institute staff participate in episodes and provide production support.
- The First CoastmajorThe First Coast co-hosts the Coastal Conversations radio program with Maine Sea Grant and Schoodic Institute, bringing journalism and storytelling expertise to coastal issues coverage.
- WERU Community RadiocoreWERU Community Radio (89.9 FM in Blue Hill and 99.9 in Bangor) broadcasts the Coastal Conversations program monthly and streams online, providing reach to Maine coastal communities.
- Northeast ConsortiummajorFunded collaborative research projects including scallop drag selectivity studies and other fisheries research initiatives.
- Brooks Trap MillminorPartnership formed through Northeast Aquaculture Conference, where Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston, Maine partnered with Canadian manufacturer Bouctouche Bay Industries to produce aquaculture gear, supporting fishermen transitioning to aquaculture.
- Maine Department of Marine ResourcesmajorCollaborates on fisheries research, management, and monitoring programs including river herring counts, lobster research, and aquaculture development.
- Maine Geological SurveyminorReceives beach profiling data from the Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program to inform beach management decisions.
- Wells National Estuarine Research ReservemajorCo-produces publications and manages the volunteer beach profiling program, supporting coastal research and education efforts.
- Maine Coastal ProgramminorCollaborated on the Public Shoreline Access publication analyzing Maine coastal property ownership.
- Island InstitutemajorPartners on the From the Sea Up podcast series featured on Coastal Conversations, and hosts energy efficiency workshops for fishermen.
- Hurricane Island Center for Science and LeadershipminorFeatured on Coastal Conversations episode about workforce education. Trains next generation of marine leaders through integrated scientific research and education programs.
- Maine Department of Environmental ProtectionminorCoordinated the climate change adaptation stakeholder process based on Maine's Climate Future report findings.
- Acadia National ParkmajorCollaborates on research projects studying Acadia's ecology, including bird populations, amphibians, mammals, and summit restoration efforts.
- Maine Climate CouncilminorStaff serve on the Coastal and Marine Working Group contributing to statewide climate action planning.
- Coastal Enterprises, Inc.minorPartners on energy efficiency initiatives for Maine fisheries, helping fishermen adopt cost-saving strategies.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Maine Sea Grant competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Northeast Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS): A regional ocean-observing association serving the Northeast U.S. coast with data, monitoring, and stakeholder science. Comparable as an enabling organization in the same coastal marine ecosystem where Maine Sea Grant's research and extension activities operate.
Direct peers
- Schoodic Institute: A Maine-based education and research nonprofit at Acadia National Park focused on citizen science and environmental learning. Comparable as a co-host of the Coastal Conversations radio program and as a regional peer delivering marine/coastal education and applied research.
- Gulf of Maine Research Institute: A Maine-based marine research and education nonprofit that combines scientific research with K-12 education and workforce programs. Closely comparable as a regional peer delivering marine science education, workforce development, and applied coastal research in the same geography.
- Darling Marine Center (University of Maine): UMaine's coastal marine laboratory in Walpole, ME, where Maine Sea Grant's aquaculture extension team is co-located. Comparable as a shared regional facility supporting marine science research, aquaculture extension, and sea-run fish programs.
- Island Institute: Maine-based nonprofit working with island and coastal communities on economic development, fisheries, and climate resilience. Directly comparable as a regional peer collaborating with Maine Sea Grant (e.g., the 'From the Sea Up' podcast) and serving overlapping fishing and coastal community audiences.
Broad incumbents
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Large independent marine research institution on the U.S. East Coast that conducts ocean science and trains graduate students. Comparable as a peer organization that combines marine research, education, and engagement with coastal and fisheries stakeholders.
- NOAA Sea Grant College Program (National): The federal umbrella program that funds Maine Sea Grant and 33 other state Sea Grant programs. Directly comparable as the parent network sharing mission, funding model, and programmatic focus on coastal research, extension, and education.
- University of Maine School of Marine Sciences: The academic unit that hosts Maine Sea Grant and supplies matching institutional support. Comparable as the embedded university marine science program performing research and graduate training in the same domains (fisheries, aquaculture, oceanography).
Emerging players
- National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: A nonprofit that supports NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System with education, research, and community engagement programs. Comparable as a peer nonprofit that channels NOAA-aligned funding toward marine education, outreach, and conservation projects.
- Maine Coast Fishermen's Association: A Maine fishing industry association focused on fishery sustainability, climate resilience, and fishing community support. Comparable as a regional peer serving the same commercial fishing stakeholders that Maine Sea Grant extension programs target.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Maine Sea Grant social profiles
Digital presenceMaine Sea Grant financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Maine Sea Grant leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Maine Sea Grant funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Maine Sea Grant M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Maine Sea Grant
What does Maine Sea Grant do?
Maine Sea Grant is a federal-state partnership program based at the University of Maine that supports research, extension, and education related to Maine's coastal and marine resources. It provides competitive research funding, extension and outreach services, and formal and informal education programs for coastal communities, fishermen, aquaculture growers, and students. The program is primarily funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Is Maine Sea Grant a public or private company?
Maine Sea Grant is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Maine Sea Grant founded?
Maine Sea Grant was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Maine Sea Grant based?
Maine Sea Grant is headquartered in Orono, United States, in the North America region.
How does Maine Sea Grant make money?
One revenue line is on record: federal Government Funding.
Who are Maine Sea Grant's main competitors?
Northeast Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) is listed as an others. Direct peers are Schoodic Institute, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Darling Marine Center (University of Maine) and Island Institute. Broad incumbents are Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, NOAA Sea Grant College Program (National) and University of Maine School of Marine Sciences. Emerging players are National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Maine Coast Fishermen's Association.
Does Maine Sea Grant have an API?
No public API is recorded for Maine Sea Grant.
What industry is Maine Sea Grant in?
Maine Sea Grant's product category is Marine Research and Extension Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAI, Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines). Its NAICS code is 11251 and its SIC code is 8200.