Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins today released the following statement after the University of Maine announced it has received full funding for Maine Sea Grant.
After a February announcement from the Department of Commerce that the program was being defunded, Senator Collins contacted Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and the Trump administration to explain all that is at stake for Maine’s coastal communities with the loss of Sea Grant funding. At the urging of Senator Collins, Secretary Lutnick directed NOAA to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the work to be performed by Maine Sea Grant to ensure that it focuses on advancing Maine’s coastal economies, working waterfronts, and sustainable fisheries, and, this week, they received their funding.
“I am thrilled that Maine Sea Grant has received its full funding so that the important work they do to conduct research, support a robust pipeline of skilled labor, and enrich our coastal economies can continue unimpeded,” said Senator Collins. “Maine Sea Grant provides valuable services for fishermen, lobstermen, hospitality workers, and so many others that rely on our coastal economy.”
“The groundswell of support for Maine Sea Grant and the stories that have surfaced about its incredible impact on our state’s working waterfronts have been extraordinary and effective. We are deeply appreciative of Senator Collins’ leadership and relentless advocacy on behalf of Maine Sea Grant and the hard-working Mainers it has long served,” said UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce and our state’s coastal communities to promote resilient local jobs and opportunities and a globally competitive marine economy through research-informed innovation.”
Maine Sea Grant is a direct investment in Maine’s coastal communities, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and supporting fisheries and the seafood industry, including local businesses like Ready Seafood:
“Maine Sea Grant has been supporting Ready Seafood since we started as a small lobster company on Hobson’s Pier in Portland in 2004, and helped propel our business to become the largest lobster processing company in the world,” said Curt Brown, lobsterman and marine biologist for Ready Seafood. “Senator Collins’ tireless leadership has once again delivered a huge victory for Maine’s coastal communities. From Kittery to Cutler, Maine’s coastal economy is stronger today, thanks to her efforts!”
Consistent with the original four-year agreement, the award made by the Commerce Department this week is for $1,499,374, which will be matched by $809,905 from non-federal sources, including industry and State research and development funding, over the next year. The Department will provide an additional $3,023,749 to Maine Sea Grant through Jan. 31, 2028, to be matched by $1,646,169.
Facts about Maine Sea Grant:
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