Darling Marine Center news

A photo of a person on the coast of Maine

Darling Marine Center documents local shellfish harvesting trends, changes

By studying the Damariscotta and Medomak River estuaries, University of Maine researchers have formally documented shifts in shellfish populations, from soft shell clams to oysters. Because Maine’s intertidal mudflats, such as those found in these estuaries, are difficult to study, this work filled an important gap in information about shellfish harvesting. Research documented how tidal […]

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A photo of scallop lines underwater

UMaine research examines best methods for growing Atlantic sea scallops

A new study from the University of Maine’s Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) and Darling Marine Center is helping to refine best practices for growing Atlantic sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus), a species of increasing interest to Maine’s aquaculture sector. Published in the academic journal Aquaculture, the research compares two scallop farming methods, ear-hanging and lantern net […]

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UMaine experts participating in 2025 Maine Science Festival

University of Maine faculty and students will present at several events during the Maine Science Festival, a program of the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor that will include more than 70 events and activities from March 18-23.  The five-day celebration will showcase science and technology happening in Maine in the format of an arts or […]

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BDN, CBS 5 interview Brady on threats to aquaculture from climate change

The Bangor Daily News and WABI (CBS 5 in Bangor) interviewed Damian Brady, professor of marine sciences at the University of Maine, on the threats climate change presents to the aquaculture industry. Brady said challenges to the industry extend beyond the Gulf of Maine’s warming waters — which he explained also presents new opportunities — […]

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Media highlight lobster habitat research from UMaine

The Portland Press Herald, Mainebiz, Maine Public, Earth.com, News Center Maine, Penobscot Bay Pilot, WGME (CBS 13 in Portland) and Seacoastonline highlighted a new study by researchers at the University of Maine that revealed lobsters in the Gulf of Maine are abandoning their traditional rocky habitats for open areas. This significant behavioral shift, potentially driven […]

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Mainebiz covers aquaculture program hosted by Darling Marine Center

Mainebiz covered a five-day training program hosted by the University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center to help participants gain hands-on experience in aquaculture business. Held for the first time from May 20-24, the program had 22 participants that included farm owners, farmhands, apprentices and students in aquaculture workforce programs. It was free of charge and […]

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Free Darling Marine Center Summer Seminar Series returns May 30

The University of Maine Darling Marine Center (DMC) is launching its 2024 Summer Seminar Series — talks exploring the latest marine science research in the state — with the first talk scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 at Brooke Hall Conference Center. The inaugural talk of the 2024 series will feature Pauline Dion, […]

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Media highlight naming of new Lobster Institute executive director

The Bangor Daily News, Mainebiz, the Penobscot Bay Pilot and Seafoodneews.com highlighted the naming of Christina Cash as the new executive director of the University of Maine Lobster Institute, effective May 17. Formerly the captain and owner/operator of a lobster boat, Cash is native to the state of Maine and graduated from UMaine. She is […]

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A photo of a coastal cove during low tide

Transformation of ocean management is underway, study finds

Marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) is a growing practice of ocean stewardship and conservation that offers benefits to the production of healthy, local food and the preservation of clean water, as well as recreation, habitation and storm protection in the Gulf of Maine and beyond.  Despite its benefits and recognition as a keystone practice of ocean […]

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