Maine’s blue economy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lifeline, and the University of Maine (UMaine) is steering the ship. At the 2025 Maine Blue Economy Innovation Summit, UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy made it clear: the state’s future hinges on the sea, but only if we invest in the people who’ll drive it. “You don’t get to focus on an economy without thinking about the people who make and drive that economy,” she told attendees. “And that will be our trained, skilled workforce.”
Ferrini-Mundy didn’t just talk about innovation—she laid out UMaine’s track record. For over 50 years, the university has been a global leader in cold-water marine research, thanks to federal funding and a mission that expanded from agriculture and forestry to the blue economy. Today, UMaine MARINE, the university’s hub for aquaculture and marine tech research, connects faculty, students, and industry partners across the state. From sustainable aquaculture to vessel design and extreme weather resilience, UMaine’s researchers are rolling up their sleeves alongside boatbuilders and coastal communities.
But it’s not just about labs and research papers. Ferrini-Mundy emphasized partnerships—communities coming together to put Maine’s blue economy front and center. And the state is listening. Michael Duguay, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, echoed the sentiment in his keynote address. “Our blue economy touches every coastal town in Maine,” he said. “It supports tens of thousands of jobs, strengthens our working waterfronts, and positions us to lead in industries of the future.”
Duguay didn’t shy away from the big picture. Maine isn’t just about lobster boats and shipyards anymore—it’s a hub for aquaculture, advanced marine tech, and ocean-based research. The state is the largest producer of farmed seaweed in the U.S., and its aquaculture industry has doubled in value over the last decade. But it’s not just about oysters and mussels. Kelp is emerging as a food source and industrial input, while salmon and trout farming are meeting rising protein demands.
And let’s not forget boatbuilding. Maine’s tradition of craftsmanship is evolving with composite technologies, positioning the state at the forefront of sustainable marine transportation. Marine biotech—from pharmaceuticals to new materials—is another frontier where UMaine researchers are laying the groundwork.
State support has been crucial. Over $10 million in grants helped businesses and nonprofits recover from last winter’s storms, preventing closures and rebuilding stronger infrastructure. Workforce development is also a priority, with partnerships between universities, community colleges, and trade programs training Mainers for careers in aquaculture, boatbuilding, and marine tech.
UMaine was central throughout the summit, with experts from the Aquaculture Research Institute, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, and Maine Sea Grant leading discussions. The message was clear: Maine’s blue economy isn’t just about the sea—it’s about the people who’ll navigate its future. And UMaine is making sure they’re ready.