Source: Maine Sea Grant
Date: Aug. 30, 2021
The 2021 Maine Buoy Finale Celebration recognizing Maine Gold Mussels and other Buoy Maine Pitch Competition winners was held on August 30 in Belfast. Downeast Institute’s Kyle Pepperman was on hand with partner Evan Young of Blue Hill Bay Mussels to inform the crowd of the progress towards building the Maine Gold brand.
Maine Gold Mussels were developed in the Downeast Institute’s hatchery with a unique phenotype that creates a gold-colored shell. This unique, specialty product will help growers build brand recognition, as well as command a higher price when market saturation is high, making businesses more diverse and resilient.
Funds from Buoy Maine used to help market the fully-grown product and to diversify the mussel production opportunities for Maine farmers.
Buoy Maine is project of Maine Sea Grant that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship to support Maine’s working waterfront and coastal communities. This effort, designed in collaboration with concerned coastal community organizations, focuses on strengthening coastal/marine seafood and tourism related industries, highlighting the Maine Brand and experience, building resiliency, and helping Maine’s coastal businesses redefine operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about DEI’s gold mussels here.
