The Maine Shellfish Restoration and Resilience Fund (MSRRF) supports small-scale fisheries, including clams and mussels, in Maine.

This fund is no longer active. For more information on the status of MSRRF-funded projects, please visit TheMudflat.org.

Proposal summary

The Maine Shellfish Restoration and Resilience Project invites proposals for projects that will improve the management and conservation of clam flats and mussel beds.  Specifically, this funding opportunity seeks to support new or expanding projects that restore shellfish flats, improve clam flat or mussel bed productivity, find and fix pollution, work with town and state officials to open closed flats, increase volunteer participation in co-management and conservation activities, strengthen civic partnerships, and/or update shellfish conservation and co-management policies.

Contacts

Andrea Perry, Broad Reach Fund:  andrea@broadreachfund.org

Bridie McGreavy, University of Maine:  bridie.mcgreavy@maine.edu

Project Details

This funding effort is part of a collaboration that involves the Broad Reach Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Shellfish Advisory Council, the University of Maine’s Department of Communication and Journalism and Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions. An advisory committee comprised of scientists, agency staff, harvesters, and other stakeholders will review proposals and make funding recommendations.

The Broad Reach Fund is a component fund of the Maine Community Foundation.  The Fund has awarded fisheries-related projects for over a decade and is embedded in the philosophy of community-based management.

The Maine Shellfish Advisory Council is established and governed by Maine Statute. The Council addresses matters of concern to the shellfish industry. ShAC will raise awareness about this funding opportunity within the industry and in municipal shellfish programs across the state.

The University of Maine serves in an advisory role and provides logistical support to the project.  Dr. Bridie McGreavy is an Assistant Professor in UMaine’s Department of Communication and Journalism and faculty fellow with the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions. Dr. McGreavy’s engaged research with Maine’s shellfishing and coastal communities helps inform and support this project.