UMaine, UMM marine experts to present to legislative committee Jan. 17

University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias marine experts will give a 90-minute briefing to the 129th Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources during its Jan. 17 meeting that begins at 1 p.m.

The intent of the briefing is to provide an overview of the expertise and resources UMaine and UMM have in this important sector of Maine’s economy, and to serve as a resource to the committee as it develops public policy.

Live audio of the meeting will be available online.

President Joan Ferrini-Mundy will open the presentation, focused on the research, economic development initiatives, community outreach and education that UMaine and UMM provide in marine sciences and aquaculture.

Also offering remarks will be UMaine researchers Heather Leslie, director of UMaine’s Darling Marine Center, located in Walpole; Rick Wahle, director of UMaine’s Lobster Institute in Orono; Deborah Bouchard, director of UMaine’s Aquaculture Research Institute in Orono; Gayle Zydlewski, director of the Maine Sea Grant College Program, with offices along the coast; and Brian Beal, director of the University of Maine at Machias marine field station, located at the Downeast Institute in Beals.