Congratulations to the graduates of the Aquaculture in Shared Waters program. Fishermen from the Interstate Lobster Co-Op in Harpswell and the Corea Lobster Co-Op completed intensive and thorough training in aquaculture production of bivalve shellfish and marine macroalgae (seaweed). Over the last few months, the students have paired classroom work with applied, hands-on activity, and they are now prepared to pursue aquaculture leases and business development. Extension associates Sarah Redmond and Dana Morse worked with Sea Grant researcher Theresa Johnson and external partners to facilitate the training program.

Activity associated with America’s ocean and Great Lakes waterfronts accounts for 3.41 percent of total U.S. Gross Domestic Product and 4.85 percent of total employment, representing some 130,855 businesses employing 2.4 million full-time and part-time employees, according to new research released in March by the National Working Waterfront Network. The economic data is one of several reports released in March by the Network, under the leadership of Marine Extension Team members Natalie Springuel and Kristen Grant, along with the National Sea Grant Law Center’s Stephanie Showalter Otts and the Island Institute. The project was funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

 A Maine Property Owners Guide to Flooding, Erosion, and Other Coastal Hazards, an online resource for coastal property owners and the municipal officials who work with them, has added detailed information to help owners navigate the regulatory and permitting processes associated with actions they are considering to increase resilience of their properties.