The shellfish culture industry in Maine has seen steady growth since its inception 30 years ago. During this time, industry growth had been primarily fueled by the increased production of blue mussels and eastern oysters. Recent disease outbreaks and increases in the abundance and distribution of pathogens and other pest species, however, have highlighted how […]
Read more
Arsenic contamination of watersheds is particularly problematic in Maine with its high levels of arsenic in underlying bedrock that contaminate groundwater at levels that often exceed EPA allowable safe limits (10 ppb). Relatively little, however, is known about the effects of arsenic at these low levels of exposure. Fish may be particularly vulnerable as they […]
Read more
The aquaculture industry in the U.S. has the potential to alleviate the chronic stress being placed on wild fisheries by supplying the considerable demand for seafood within the US and beyond. The position and strength of the aquaculture industry within Maine indicates that it can be a significant player in this industry. Health issues will […]
Read more
Aquaculture Is the fastest growing agricultural sector, and continues to grow at a rate of 8% to 10% per year. If Maine aquacultural producers are to keep pace with global demand, they must understand the impacts and implications anthropogenic pollutants have in their aquatic systems, and understand the causes of adverse production outcomes. In addition, […]
Read more
Lobster is the icon for Maine. In fact, over 70% of the lobsters landed in the U.S. are landed in Maine, and the only lobster-processing facilities in the U.S. are in Maine. There are nearly 6,000 lobster licenses issued in Maine each year, with about 4,300 commercially active. While the lobster fishery in Maine has […]
Read more
Fisheries and aquaculture industries are important to the economic health of Maine, yet we still understand little about how the fish immune system fights disease. Mycosis is an important problem in the wild and in aquaculture, and greater understanding of the immune response to fungal infection will contribute to our ability to control fungal pathogens […]
Read more
Lobsters are the single most valuable fishery in the state of Maine, and among the top two fisheries in New England and Atlantic Canada. The American Lobster Settlement Index (ALSI) has been a long-standing indicator of the health of the lobster resource and is now entering a new phase of expansion. Over the years, analyses […]
Read more
As the fisheries and aquaculture industries continue to expand in the state of Maine and worldwide, the need for new disease control methods and diagnostic tests will increase dramatically. Through the studies outlined in this proposal, we hope to better understand and potentiate the innate immune response, which is the first line of host defense […]
Read more
Worker health and safety in the forest products industry is important. To date, particulate emissions have not been assessed in the rapidly growing pellet fuel industry. This research will assess particulate emissions that could endanger human health and will result in clear guidelines for state and federal government officials. Additionally, the wood fuel pellet industry […]
Read more
Eleven of Maine’s 16 counties have poverty levels that exceed the national average. The International Energy Agency and World Health Organization have linked energy and poverty, claiming that equitable access to affordable energy is a crucial step toward economic development in rural areas. Maine spends approximately $4 billion per year on imported energy, and approximately […]
Read more