NOAA awards $2M for lobster research including two UMaine projects, media report

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

September 12, 2019 UMaine in the News

The Associated Press, Mainebiz, Portland Press Herald, Undercurrent News and VillageSoup reported the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program has awarded $2 million to support lobster research. The grant is spread out among seven awards, four of which will help research performed by institutions based in Maine. Two projects will be conducted by University of Maine researchers, Mainebiz reported. “Linking the Gulf of Maine pelagic food web to lobster recruitment dynamics” will examine the disconnect between historic highs in Gulf of Maine lobster egg production and lows in young-of-year recruitment. “Projecting climate-related shifts in American lobster habitat and connectivity” will examine the effects of ocean warming on lobster and larval development. Maine’s congressional delegation also announced the grant in a joint news release. “Generations of Maine families have made their living from this fishery, and its enduring success is due in part to the research that has informed decision making and supported stewardship,” U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said in the statement. “These new research projects will help us develop and improve best practices to ensure that Maine’s lobster industry continues to thrive.” U.S. News & World Report, Maine Public and WABI (Channel 5) carried the AP story. Journal Tribune reported the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve will receive about $250,000 over two years to study how warming coastal waters are affecting lobsters in the Gulf of Maine.