Maine aquaculture research received USD 3 million grant
USA: Last month the Maine Technology Asset Fund (MTAF) awarded the University of Maine's Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR) and Maine's offshore aquaculture industry two grants totaling USD 3 million. This is seen as a huge boost for the state's aquaculture research and industry communities.
CCAR received the largest grant, USD 2.6 million, to build a new building that will be used for holding marine fish, such as cod, testing offshore aquaculture equipment and holding broodstock for large marine fish such as tuna. The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center (MAIC) received the smaller grant, USD 360,000, which will be used to improve and upgrade aquaculture business incubator facilities at CCAR.
Searsmont based Ocean Farm Technologies has already developed an offshore net pen system. Partnering with CCAR in the grant, the company is planning to use the new facility to help it test feeding, fish handling, grading and harvesting systems for fish such as Atlantic cod.
CCAR will also benefit from the USD 360,000 grant received by the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center. CCAR will use this grant to upgrade and renovate existing MAIC facilities.
