SEA Maine has awarded $1 million across five projects designed to strengthen Maine’s working waterfront infrastructure. The funding, distributed through the Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (SIAF), will support critical upgrades for commercial fishermen and seafood businesses, with two of the benefiting communities, Tremont and Swan’s Island, located in Hancock County.
The Town of Tremont was awarded $161,500 to retrofit a 1,200-square-foot town-owned building that currently houses a local bait company and the harbormaster. Improvements slated for the Tremont facility include enhanced insulation, the installation of weather-tight windows and doors, new heat pumps, and necessary electrical upgrades. These modifications are intended to increase the building’s cold-storage capacity and improve its year-round usability for local operations.
Swan’s Island will receive $126,693.20 to renovate vacant space situated near Burnt Coat Harbor. This project aims to create dedicated offices for the island’s harbormaster and shellfish warden. Furthermore, the renovation encompasses weatherization efforts, the installation of heat pumps, and the integration of solar-powered cold storage. This cold storage will be made available for use by local fishermen, clammers, and aquaculture operators, providing essential infrastructure for those working on the water.
Beyond Hancock County, three other Maine communities are also receiving significant support. The largest award, totaling $300,000, has been granted to the City of Rockland for improvements at the Rockland Commercial Fish Pier. This pier serves approximately 100 commercial fishing and seafood operations. The project is structured in two phases: an initial assessment of pier vulnerabilities, identification of potential improvements, and development of engineering designs, followed by a second phase to implement priority improvements derived from these findings.
Freeport is set to receive $218,400 to address deteriorating docks and floats at Cove Road Wharf, the Commercial River Floats, and Freeport Town Dock, all located along the Harraseeket River. These facilities are vital, supporting more than 60 municipal shellfish license holders, along with commercial fishermen, storage for lobster and aquaculture gear, and temporary vessel berthing. The existing infrastructure has experienced significant wear from storm surge, sea level rise, age, and heavy commercial use, necessitating these replacements.
In Boothbay Harbor, Harbor Bait will utilize an award of $193,406.80 to modernize its bait-salting and ice-making equipment at the Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier. This project involves the acquisition of an an automated bait salter and a high-capacity flake ice machine. These upgrades are designed to improve access to two fundamental supplies that are crucial for commercial fishermen in the area.
The grants awarded through the SIAF program range from $126,693 to $300,000. These funds are designated for a variety of improvements, including cold storage, docks and floats, ice-making equipment, energy upgrades, and waterfront planning.
Togue Brawn, co-chair of SEA Maine and owner of Downeast Dayboat, expressed pleasure at the projects benefiting from SIAF funding and conveyed optimism that it would lead to a "stronger, more vibrant future" for Maine's commercially harvested and farmed seafood resources.
Brett Richardson, development director for the Town of Freeport, highlighted that local fishers and sea farmers not only "create jobs and economic activity" but also provide seafood that elevates Maine's brand and supports Main Street restaurants and markets up and down the coast.
The Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund originated from recommendations outlined in the 2024 SEA Maine Roadmap. Funding for SIAF is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge grant, which was awarded to the Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future in 2024. The SIAF program specifically allows funds to be used for planning, engineering, retrofits, design, or construction projects associated with publicly accessible marine infrastructure. Grant recipients are also required to contribute a 5 percent match toward the total project cost, ensuring local investment alongside state and federal support.
Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Carl Wilson emphasized the importance of these investments, calling them "a great example" of how local support for commercial fishing and aquaculture can "ensure resilience and drive innovation" that will shape the future of Maine’s coast. These infrastructure improvements are expected to bolster the resilience and future viability of Maine's vital coastal industries.
