Flying Place Farm
Downeast Institute is fortunate to share an island with one of the largest shellfish dealers in Maine. A.C. Inc. is an engaged and eager strategic partner, volunteering its space and assets to [...]
– Community Impact –
Business Development
Creating New Economic Opportunities for Maine People
DEI relies on strategic partnerships with Maine businesses to commercialize our research, demonstrate new ventures in wild and cultured shellfish fisheries, and accelerate economic and environmental adaptation in coastal communities.
Case Studies:
- Blue Hill Bay Mussels
- Flying Place Farm
- Lobster Pound Aquaculture
- Downeast Fisheries Partnership
- Maine’s First Quahog Farm
Services:
- Shellfish aquaculture start-up and expansion consulting
- Research services in the lab and field
We contribute to the innovation ecosystem by working with Maine Sea Grant, Downeast Fisheries Partnership, Aquaculture Research Institute, Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, and others to share our research with fishermen and growers.
Services
New or existing shellfish farms can reach out to DEI for technical assistance and help with innovations. Whether you want to try growing a new species, conduct gear trials, or learn experimental methods to test your ideas, you can benefit from the expertise of DEI’s scientists.
DEI’s lab facilities allow growers to test their ideas in a controlled environment. Tanks and lab space with running seawater are equipped with technology to manipulate temperature and food availability.
Contact Kyle Pepperman to get started.
How DEI Promotes Innovation in Fisheries:
– Producing 3 to 5 million soft-shell clam seed annually for public stock enhancement and aquaculture experimentation.
– Producing hard clam (northern quahog), Razor clam, and Atlantic surf clam seed for the shellfish culture industry.
– Advancing full commercialization of the mussel farming industry by providing millions of juvenile mussels annually.
– Advancing hatchery, nursery and grow-out trials of Arctic surf clams, a potential new and high value Maine aquaculture seafood product.
– Pursuing research to break the bottleneck in European oyster seed production by rearing larvae consistently through their settlement phase.
– Developing technology to produce cultured lobster juveniles for research or aquaculture purposes.
– Being open to research opportunities and partnerships to study species such as Sea scallops, Sea urchins, kelp and Jonah and Rock crab.
– Publishing our research results in scientific journals, and sharing information through media, keynotes and workshop presentations.
– Participating in collaborative initiatives that include potential aquaculture opportunities for Maine’s coastal communities.
– Offering entrepreneurs a private business incubator (300 sq. ft.) ; with running seawater to develop new seafood ideas and initiatives.
Our Community Impact:
ADAPTIVE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
DEI provides science-based leadership to adapt to a changing marine environment.
FISHERIES STOCK ENHANCEMENT & RESTORATION
DEI has produced hundreds of millions of seed clams for coastal communities.
BUSINESS INCUBATOR
DEI has assisted fishermen and other entrepreneurs create new aquaculture opportunities.
SCIENCE EDUCATION
DEI’s marine education program makes relevant scientific exploration part of pre-K to 12 grade education
SHELLFISH FIELD DAYS
Join us August 11th for this annual event and our ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new facility.
