Associate Director of the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center

Photo credit to the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center

In her work with the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, Annie leads and supports research, workforce development initiatives, education, and outreach projects across the state and beyond. She also uses her own farm, Pemetic Sea Farms, as a platform for experimental work and teaching, often hosting visitors, students, and others curious about aquaculture and wanting to gain experience as they start a business or a career in the industry.

Marine Extension Associate at Maine Sea Grant

Photo credit to Maine Sea Grant

Jaclyn supports and leads research, education, and outreach initiatives across the state and in many cases across the country. Many of these initiatives continually drive public engagement with aquaculture and help position Maine as a national leader in sea farming, including Maine Seaweed Week and the Maine Oyster Trail. She is a role model, leader and mentor to many in the aquaculture community.

Owner/CEO at American Unagi

Photo credit to American Unagi

Sara has exemplified self-starting entrepreneurism and has carved out an entire new industry- America eel cultivation and grow out from glass eels to smoked adults. She came through Herring Gut as an Educator from 2009-2011.

Sr Extension Program Manager; Aquaculture Lead, Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Coop Extension

Photo credit to Maine Sea Grant

His work as an ‘extension agent’ involves a mixture of educational programming, technology transfer and applied research. He has been active in the intersection between commercial fishing and aquaculture, and in developing approaches that maximize the integration of these industries, toward the diversification of options for fishermen and the continued prosperity of Maine coastal communities.

Senior Ocean Scientist at the Island Institute and the Director of the Center for Climate and Communities

Photo credit to the Island Institute

Susie has been working with Island Institute for 12 years where she leverages her deep knowledge of Maine’s coast and the impacts of climate change on its people and ocean. Her work focuses on the impacts of climate change on Maine’s fisheries and fishing communities and she leads the institute’s efforts in science translation and the science of hope as a framework for climate action.

Entrepreneur, oyster farmer and owner of Ice House Oysters

Photo credit to antoniasmall.com and Benjamin Poupel

Toni is an ambassador for the working waterfront every day - in her interactions with the local community, but also throughout Maine and more broadly. Her realistic perspective of aquaculture development is helpful, and her respect for other types of fishing and harvesting of seafood is constructive.

Director of Community Programs at Maine Coast Fishermen's Association

Photo credit to the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association.

Monique has led efforts in the midcoast to bring the public, fishermen, aquaculturist, and others together to talk about protecting working waterfronts. She is a smart and effective consensus builder who is generous with her time and recognizes the importance of engaging with our regional network and educating our communities about the working waterfront.

President and CEO of Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Photo credit to Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Under Stookey's stewardship, a million dollar donation was acquired to preserve ecologically important salt marshes up and down Maine's Coast. MCHT is using real-time research to inform restoration practices that have the potential to enhance carbon storage and restore vitality to Maine’s threatened saltmarshes.