Gulf of Maine Research Institute

🌊 Spotlight on Seasonal Seafood: Monkfish! 🌊

Say hello to the beauty queen of the sea - Monkfish! 😉👑

Monkfish boasts firm, meaty flesh that stands up to a variety of preparations, from poaching to grilling. Over the past few years, this fish has become a common sight on menus, and customers are falling in love with its delicious flavor.

Whether you’re a seasoned seafood lover or just discovering the joys of monkfish, there’s no better time to dive in and enjoy this versatile and tasty catch. Let’s support sustainable seafood and keep our local waters thriving!

Discover other in-season seafood: https://gmri.org/stories/seasonal-summer-seafood/

📣 Upcoming Event!! 📣

As part of our Blue Economy Summer Series, join us to learn how advancements in coastal resilience and infrastructure electrification are impacting climate, business operations, and coastal communities in Maine. 💡⚡️

This event features GMRI Climate Director Dr. Dave Reidmiller, GMRI Business Climate Action Program Manager Jared Wildwistle, and founder of shred_electric, Nick Planson, who is on a mission to decarbonize our working waterfront.

🗓️ Wednesday, August 14
📍Union + Co, Bath, ME
🕕 6:00 pm

Register to attend: https://www.gmri.org/events/blue-economy-summer-series-climate-change-and-the-working-waterfront/

🌊 Spotlight on Seasonal & Sustainable Seafood: Local Haddock! 🌊

Haddock is a beloved staple throughout New England! It's known for being a flaky, mild whitefish that’s incredibly versatile. However, not all haddock you see is truly local. Imported haddock often overshadows our local catch, so it’s crucial to support our local fishermen.

🔍 Tip: Look beyond the “North Atlantic” label. While it might sound like it’s from New England, it often means it’s from Iceland or Norway. Let’s keep it local and enjoy the freshest, sustainably sourced haddock right from our waters!

Discover other in-season seafood: https://gmri.org/stories/seasonal-summer-seafood/

Earlier this month, our sustainable seafood team had the honor of presenting alongside our partners at the annual School Nutrition Association conference in Boston — a massive gathering of K-12 foodservice directors and staff from across the entire country.

This conference provided the opportunity for us and our industry and school district partners to demonstrate the value of our sea-to-school program to a national audience of foodservice staff, and explain how we’ve laid the groundwork to make this program, which is highly beneficial to kids’ health and coastal communities, a reality. We also led some very popular fishing gear demos on the Boston Fishing Pier, to teach foodservice staff about sustainable practices within the fishing industry.

Thank you to our colleagues who presented with us at the conference, including Massachusetts Farm to School, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, North Coast Seafoods, and Foodservice Directors Karyl Kent and Jackie Morgan from Vermont and Massachusetts. We couldn't do this without all of your hard work!

Learn more about our sea-to-school program here: https://gmri.org/projects/sea-to-school-program/

We are thrilled to join the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (Governor Janet Mills) in celebrating their successful proposal to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, which is providing Maine with nearly $70M in coastal resilience funding.

Our state's working waterfronts face unprecedented challenges—and opportunities—and we are rolling up our sleeves to partner with the state, coastal municipalities, and marine-dependent businesses to ensure our working waterfronts can continue to thrive in a warmer world.

Read more:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEGOV/bulletins/3ab0604

Two full days of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling already in the books this week! 💪💪

One of the perks is spotting a bunch of difficult to photograph wildlife, like dolphins (pictured!), molas, whales, tuna, and a basking shark (all not pictured).

But with eDNA sampling, we don’t actually need to photograph the animals to know they’re there! Learn more about what eDNA is and how we use it to survey species in the Gulf of Maine 🐟🧬: https://gmri.org/stories/gulf-of-maine-explained-environmental-dna-edna/

Northeast US fisheries are on the frontlines of climate change. To support informed decision-making in these fisheries responding to mounting climate impacts, our Integrated Systems Ecology Lab created a new climate adaptation resource hub. The team just led two successful webinars and we were thrilled to see so much interest in the hub!

Explore the hub here, and view one of the recorded webinars to learn how to use the resource:
www.gmri.org/adaptationhub

After conducting a national search, we’re thrilled to announce Nana Annan as our next Chief Operating Officer!

Nana joined us in May and brings more than 25 years of operations experience to GMRI. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated excellence in the management of real estate and facilities, information technology, human resources, finance, safety and security, and strategic planning for organizations experiencing rapid growth.

Learn more via Mainebiz : https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/gulf-of-maine-research-institute-names-chief-operating-officer

📣 Upcoming Event!! 📣

As part of our Blue Economy Summer Series, we will take a deeper look at Maine's potential to redefine resilience and sustainability in the seafood supply chain. 🦪🍤

This event features GMRI Sustainable Seafood Director Kyle Foley and CEO of BlueTrace Chip Terry. As Maine's marine economy navigates the challenges of climate change and aging infrastructure, emerging innovations offer a pathway for the Gulf of Maine region to become a leader in sustainable seafood sourcing practices.

🗓️ Wednesday, July 10
📍@ Wolfe's Neck Farm, Freeport, ME
🕕 6:00 pm

Register to attend: https://www.gmri.org/events/blue-economy-summer-series-the-future-of-maines-seafood-supply-chain/

The winner of our inaugural Gulf of Maine Tastemakers: Innovation Award has successfully broken down barriers that previously prevented fish from staying on the menu at K-12 schools. 💪🐟

The hardworking staff involved in the South Portland School Nutrition Program, led by Shawn Perry, have served local fish at least twice a month during the past school year. Shawn’s innovative approach to the sea-to-school program incorporates culturally diverse seafood recipes, offering asylee, refugee, and immigrant communities a familiar protein in a familiar preparation.

Nominees of the Innovation Award find new ways to get consumers excited about seafood. They creatively menu and sell seafood to increase seafood consumption, and bring economic vitality to the local seafood industry. Join us in congratulating Shawn and the entire South Portland School Nutrition Program for this achievement!

Learn more about the Gulf of Maine Tastemakers Award winners: https://gmri.org/our-approach/press-room/press-releases/introducing-inaugural-gulf-of-maine-tastemakers-award-winners/

We are excited to recognize Atlantic Sea Farms and North Coast Seafoods for their dedication to climate-responsible business operations by jointly awarding them our inaugural Gulf of Maine Tastemakers: Climate Award!

Atlantic Sea Farms has successfully championed and brought kelp, a climate-friendly, restorative food, into the mainstream, helping fishermen diversify their harvest in a warming Gulf of Maine. North Coast’s seaweedish meatballs, made with Atlantic Sea Farms’ kelp, have been making waves in the institutional food service space around the region.

Join us in celebrating this unique and impactful partnership!

Learn more about the Gulf of Maine Tastemakers Award winners: https://gmri.org/our-approach/press-room/press-releases/introducing-inaugural-gulf-of-maine-tastemakers-award-winners/

Come along to our solar eclipse and northern lights storytelling event at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth tonight at 6:30! Everyone who experiences these celestial events has a story to tell. Join us to share your own story or to hear about other eclipse experiences.

Learn more:
https://www.thomasmemoriallibrary.org/event/look-up-the-science-of-the-sun-from-the-eclipse-to-the-northern-lights-with-terence-finnegan/

Join us in congratulating Hannaford Supermarkets as the winner of our inaugural Gulf of Maine Tastemakers: Local Award! 🙌

Businesses nominated for this award demonstrate a long-term commitment to sourcing local seafood, offer a diversity of local species, and maintain a high percentage of local seafood.

Hannaford Supermarkets has been walking the local walk for nearly a decade. Today, 42% of the seafood purchased by Hannaford is sourced locally, and they have consistently worked with over 20 local suppliers to ensure customers have access to local seafood whenever and wherever they shop.

Learn more about the winners of the Gulf of Maine Tastemakers awards: https://gmri.org/our-approach/press-room/press-releases/introducing-inaugural-gulf-of-maine-tastemakers-award-winners/

Did you know the Gulf of Maine is warming at a rate nearly three times faster than the rest of the world’s oceans? As a result, Maine communities are leading the charge in developing innovative solutions to overcome these impacts. 💪

At GMRI, we're committed to working within communities to ensure a thriving future for the Gulf of Maine and the livelihoods that rely on it. Through Tuesday, June 25, every donation we receive to support these efforts is MATCHED dollar for dollar!

Your gift supports:
🌊 Collaborative efforts to prepare coastal communities for sea level rise
📊 Ecosystem research for better ocean stewardship
🐟 Sustainable seafood supply chains
⚓ Protection and investment in a robust working waterfront
💡 Educating the next generation

Double your impact today and help us build a resilient future for the Gulf of Maine!

https://www.gmri.org/?form=spring-2024

📣 Double Your Impact in the Gulf of Maine! 📣

We have an incredible opportunity to make a greater impact in the Gulf of Maine and its communities! Now through Tuesday, June 25, every gift made to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute will be MATCHED dollar for dollar!

That means your support will go twice as far:
➡️ $50 becomes $100
➡️ $250 becomes $500

By participating in this matching gift challenge, you are investing in best-in-class science, vital community engagement, and collaborative solutions to help us overcome some of the most pressing ocean challenges of our time.

🔗 Donate now: https://www.gmri.org/?form=spring-2024

NEW: Findings from the Field: Volume 7!

Our newest collection of peer-reviewed, student-led ecological research showcases work from student scientists across Maine and New Hampshire. This latest volume is the culmination of hard work from 14 different classrooms, which included 160 submissions and 220 peer-reviews. The research topics ranged from studying maple syrup to coliform bacteria to invasive species and skunk cabbage.

We love to see the next generation of scientists producing such great work!

Explore the volume here: https://gmri.org/projects/findings-field/

We love to see it! Kids really do love seafood!! 💪🥳

"Across each core subjects – math, social studies, science, and English – students examined the path fish takes in the marketplace. They analyzed graphs, comparing the carbon footprint of seafood versus cattle, and talked about the pressures fishermen face.

After learning about the benefits of seafood, students had the chance to sample some fish. According to Barbara Austin, BJH cafeteria manager, 75% of students chose to try the haddock, 20% more than usual." -Portland Press Herald

Midcoast students opt for more school seafood options Maine Coast Fishermen's Association teamed up with Brunswick Junior High School to introduce a new curriculum. The goal? Bringing more seafood to schools.

The end of the school year also means our 2023-24 LabVenture season is coming to an end! We saw over 8,000 students this past school year, bringing total number of students served to over 160,000! As part of the curriculum, each student has had the opportunity to measure and learn about live lobsters! Happy National Lobster Day!

Learn more about LabVenture: https://gmri.org/projects/labventure/

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve received a transformational grant as part of the Partnerships for Local Agriculture and Nutrition Transformation in Schools (PLANTS) Grant program. Our group of partners, which includes the South Portland School Nutrition Program and the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association, is working to establish a model for a comprehensive sea-to-school program — one that addresses the need for healthier meals, supports local fishermen, promotes cultural inclusion, and fosters community engagement. This collaborative approach will strengthen the connections between the cafeteria, classroom, and community — the three key components to a successful local food program in schools. PLANTS is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative and is administered by the Chef Ann Foundation.

Learn more about the work here: https://gmri.org/projects/south-portland-sea-to-school/

Today is UN World Oceans Day! One of the UN's goals is to encourage us all to deepen our collective understanding of our oceans to ensure their future health. 🙌

However, the ocean is a vast, ever-changing system, which can make it challenging to study and understand. Fish are constantly moving and weather conditions can change in an instant — but scientists have some innovative tools to make studying it easier.

Check out our newest blog to learn how we use environmental DNA and deep-water buoys to better understand the Gulf of Maine: https://gmri.org/stories/observing-the-ocean/

Earlier this week, 150 students from two Maine schools (King Middle School and St. George School) gathered to present their findings on local impacts of coastal flooding and recommendations for resilience actions.

Across three events, the message was clear. Students are tuned into the impacts of coastal flooding, they are concerned about future of their communities, and are dedicated to protecting them. We were inspired to hear from these young community members who have strong ideas about how to take action.

"Our seaside town of St. George is already and will be deeply affected by sea level rise. The water is coming for us. If we don't find ways to deal with sea level rise soon, our town won't be as amazing and beautiful as it is now." - St. George 7th Grader

📣Upcoming Event!📣

Walk the Working Waterfront is this Saturday! We’re excited to be a part of this free and family-friendly experience! Explore the wharves, piers, and businesses that make up the working waterfront in Portland, Maine - rain or shine.

Stop by GMRI to learn about aquaculture, sea level rise, seafood quality, and more! From a virtual trap sorting exercise to an oyster-filled touch tank, there will be something for everyone!

Learn more: https://gmri.org/events/walk-the-working-waterfront/

The Gulf of Maine coast will see the highest tides of the month this week.

In Portland, high tide times are (local times will vary slightly, check your local tide station numbers for the most accurate times):

10:09 pm, Tuesday, June 4
11:00 pm, Wednesday, June 5
11:49 pm, Thursday, June 6

In June, coastal storms that cause large storm surges are rare. However, both the long-term rise in sea level and the large increase in sea level since 2022 are leading to water levels that are persistently about a half-foot to one foot above the predicted tide (remember, NOAA tide predictions are based on 1983–2001 mean sea level). Therefore, tides alone may cause minor flooding overnight this week, and we recommend that you continue to monitor the weather forecast for onshore winds or low-pressure systems that may cause an additional rise in water level.

See our recommendations to prepare your home, business, or community for these coastal flooding events here: https://gmri.org/stories/gulf-of-maine-explained-storms-and-coastal-flooding/

The alewife migration through Mill Brook has begun and we are thrilled to introduce the all-new Alewife Migration Guide! This comprehensive, free resource was developed in collaboration with the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust and allows you to embark on a self-guided tour of the alewife migration.

The migration of these fish from Casco Bay to Mill Brook is the largest of its kind with thousands of fish swimming through Mill Brook Preserve over the next couple of weeks. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or a curious observer, you'll find valuable insights into alewife ecology, viewing protocols, and more.

Get the free guide: https://mailchi.mp/gmri/alewife-e-guide-millbrook

Senior Scientist Dr. Kathy Mills had the honor of being a panelist at the UN last week for the 17th Informal Consultation of States Parties to the Law of the Sea! She shared some of her experiences related to climate change impacts on marine fisheries in the northeast and her work to support climate resilient fisheries. 🌊👩‍🔬

Learn more about Kathy’s work contributing to the UN Decade of Ocean Science: https://gmri.org/projects/fisheries-strategies-for-changing-oceans-and-resilient-ecosystems-by-2030-fishscore2030/

🚨 JOB OPENING ALERT! 🚨

We have a new research associate job opening in our Coastal and Marine Economics Lab, lead by Dr. Kanae Tokunaga!

Learn more and apply here: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/2452757/Gulf-of-Maine-Research-Institute/Research-Associate-in-Fisheries-and-Aquaculture-Economics

The ClimateWork Maine summit last week was a major success! Three members of our Climate Center team (including ClimateWork Maine board member and GMRI Business Climate Action Program Manager Jared Wildwistle) attended to share insights and learn the latest about how organizations around Maine are making moves around climate action. Kudos to Wyman's, ReVision Energy, and Tanbark Molded Fiber Products who were all awarded for their climate action leadership!

We loved meeting so many new, motivated organizations, and look forward to being a resource for businesses looking to drive adaptation and emissions reduction strategies in a warmer world.

Aroostook County educators joined GMRI staff in Washburn, Maine for a day long experience full of data-rich activities from our new curriculum that explores how climate change is impacting Maine's $200m potato farming industry. Educators connected with industry leaders at Porter Farms, LLC. and Penobscot McCrum LLC's potato processing plant for a real hands-on learning experience that equipped them with another tool for teaching climate literacy to students using locally relevant subject matter.