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The U.S. states of Maine and Rhode Island are intensifying their efforts to promote local seafood through new grant-funded initiatives.
Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development, leveraging the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan and the American Rescue Plan Act, has awarded a grant to establish the Maine Seafood Promotional Council. This council, spearheaded by FocusMaine and incorporating input from the seafood industry, is embarking on a two-year pilot phase. Andrea Cianchette Maker, Co-Founder, Co-Chair, and President of FocusMaine, emphasized the council's role in harnessing the expertise of both seasoned and emerging aquaculture professionals to boost Maine’s seafood industry.
The council's creation follows recommendations from the Seafood Economic Accelerator for Maine's roadmap, presented at the 49th annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum. The roadmap sets ambitious goals for Maine's marine industries, including a 10 percent growth in industry value and the addition of 1,000 jobs by 2030. It also highlights the need for increased investment, infrastructure development, and a proactive approach to climate change challenges.
During its trial period, the council will host awareness events, collaborate with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, form an advisory board, establish governance mechanisms, and seek sustainable funding. This initiative will complement the existing Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative.
Rhode Island is also channeling resources into seafood marketing through the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grants Program. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Agriculture is distributing up to USD 650,000 in grants to support local seafood and food sectors. Each year, the LASA Advisory Committee sets funding priorities, with this year's grants benefitting over 40 farmers, fishers, and food producers.
Nationally, the National Seafood Council Task Force is working to establish a National Seafood Promotion Campaign. Since its proposal in 2019, the U.S. Senate has allocated funding to NOAA for the council's development. The 2024 task force includes industry leaders like High Liner Foods, Slade Gorton, Cooke, Pacific Seafood Group, and Riverence Provisions, aiming to revitalize national seafood marketing efforts.
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