Grants support marine research in Maine, help ‘transform’ the economy

The Maine Technology Institute board of directors recently approved $4 million in marine research infrastructure and equipment grants to research institutions across Maine. MTI’s Maine Marine Research Fund is a part of the $20 million economic development bond issue approved by voters in November 2005.

“Investments in marine research are helping transform our economy. We have the capacity to invest, and investments deliver results. Building a strong and vibrant innovation

economy in Maine will generate faster business growth, better jobs, higher wages and a better standard of living,” said Gov. John E. Baldacci.

The Maine Marine Research Fund supports facilities and equipment needed to conduct high quality, nationally competitive, scientifically rigorous programs that will have a high potential to attract increased funding and support the development of sustainable jobs in Maine.

“Maine’s exceptional research institutions and geography make it a tremendous resource for marine research,” said Betsy Biemann, MTI president. “The Maine Marine Research Fund and the institutions it supports further position our state as a globally recognized center for marine excellence, and promise to generate quality jobs and bring more marine research funding to Maine.”

Maine’s public or private nonprofit organizations, state governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and academic institutions engaged in marine research were eligible. Criteria included scientific merit, the impact of the proposed facilities and equipment to the marine research capacity of the applicant and the state and the resulting economic benefits. Each proposal required a one-to-one co-investment by the applicant.

MTI was created by the Legislature in 1999 to encourage, promote, stimulate and support research and development activity leading to the commercialization of new products and services in the state’s technology-intensive industrial sectors. Programs are designed to enhance the competitive position of those sectors and increase the likelihood that one or more of the sectors will support clusters of industrial activity and create new jobs.

Maine Marine Research Fund Grant winners:

. The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center in Orono will use funds to enhance the aquaculture research and incubator facilities at the Darling Marine Center and expand the business incubation facilities at the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research. Collaborating institutions are Center for Aquaculture Innovation, Darling Marine Center, Maine Halibut Farms, Seabait Maine and the University of Maine. The approved amount is $360,700.

. The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Salisbury Cove will purchase equipment to enhance its Marine Imaging Center. Collaborating institutions are Colby College and the University of Maine. The approved amount is $362,770.

. The University of Maine in Orono will use funds to equip the Maine Aquatic Animal Health Lab and Marine Environmental Samples repository. Collaborating institutions are Maine Lobster Promotion Council and Maine Department of Marine Resources The approved amount is $395,205.

. The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in West Boothbay Harbor will use funds to establish a high resolution liquid chromatography and mass spectrometer facility, and to add a slocum glider to the Gulf of Maine/North Atlantic Time Series. Collaborating institutions are Bowdoin College, Colby College and the University of Maine. The approved amount is $487,200.

. The Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System in Portland will use funds to preserve and enhance the infrastructure of the system as a stimulant to marine research and development in Maine. Collaborating institutions are the University of Maine. The approved amount is $500,000.

. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland will use funds for ecosystem-based fisheries management equipment, mobile fishing gear monitoring equipment, a Coast of Maine-Passive Acoustic Sensor System and laboratory and field sampling equipment for investigating fisheries in the Gulf of Maine. Collaborating institutions are the Maine Department of Marine Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, University of Maine and University of Southern Maine. The approved amount is $486,819.

. The Maine Department of Marine Resources in West Boothbay Harbor will use funds for infrastructure to support lobster, urchin, aquaculture and educational research. The approved amount is $167,235.

. The University of Maine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research in Franklin will use funds to enhance its facilities in support of sustainable alternative marine aquaculture in Maine. Collaborating institutions are Maine Halibut Farms and USDA Agriculture Research Service. The approved amount is $485,000.

The University of Maine, Machias will use funds for the equipment and infrastructure necessary to integrate research into training and outreach programs and for a five-year study of the effects of human perturbations on commercially important shellfish in Downeast Maine. Collaborating Institution is Downeast Institute of Applied Marine Research. The approved amount is $255,000.

The University of New England in Biddeford will use funds for a coastal observing system for Saco Bay. Collaborating Institutions are the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System and the University of Maine. The approved amount is $499,927.