Maine Sea Grant

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.

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

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

• Marine research
• Coastal outreach
• Fisheries extension
• Aquaculture support
• Marine education

Headquarters

HQ city

Orono

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreOthersNOAA 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 MainecoreOthersMaine 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 InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchoodic 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 CoastmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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 RadiocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWERU 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 ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded collaborative research projects including scallop drag selectivity studies and other fisheries research initiatives.
• Brooks Trap MillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 ResourcesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on fisheries research, management, and monitoring programs including river herring counts, lobster research, and aquaculture development.
• Maine Geological SurveyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives beach profiling data from the Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program to inform beach management decisions.
• Wells National Estuarine Research ReservemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produces publications and manages the volunteer beach profiling program, supporting coastal research and education efforts.
• Maine Coastal ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Public Shoreline Access publication analyzing Maine coastal property ownership.
• Island InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners 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 LeadershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured on Coastal Conversations episode about workforce education. Trains next generation of marine leaders through integrated scientific research and education programs.
• Maine Department of Environmental ProtectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated the climate change adaptation stakeholder process based on Maine's Climate Future report findings.
• Acadia National ParkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on research projects studying Acadia's ecology, including bird populations, amphibians, mammals, and summit restoration efforts.
• Maine Climate CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStaff serve on the Coastal and Marine Working Group contributing to statewide climate action planning.
• Coastal Enterprises, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on energy efficiency initiatives for Maine fisheries, helping fishermen adopt cost-saving strategies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheUniversityofMaine
• Facebookfacebook.com/UniversityofMaine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maine-sea-grant
• Instagraminstagram.com/university.of.maine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Maine Sea Grant