AUGUSTA — The Seafood Economic Accelerator for Maine (SEA Maine) recently awarded $1 million in grants to five marine community infrastructure projects, including significant allocations to Tremont and Swan's Island.
The funds, distributed through the Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund, are intended to enhance public marine facilities, strengthen Maine’s seafood sector, and bolster resilience against climate-related impacts. Grants ranged from $75,000 to $300,000 and were awarded through a competitive process, according to a press release.
Tremont received $161,500 for its Cold Storage Facility Upgrade project. This funding will retrofit a 1,200-square-foot town-owned building that currently houses a local bait company and the Harbormaster. Planned improvements include insulation, weather-tight windows and doors, heat pumps, and electrical upgrades. These modifications are expected to boost energy efficiency, improve resilience, expand cold-storage capacity, and ensure year-round usability, all while continuing to support local working waterfront businesses and the seafood industry.
Swan’s Island was awarded $126,693.20 for its Harbor Road Facility Upgrade. This project will renovate vacant space near Burnt Coat Harbor to create dedicated offices for the Harbormaster and Shellfish Warden, directly supporting the island’s commercial fishing and working waterfront activities. Upgrades will include weatherization, a transition from fuel oil to heat pumps, and the addition of solar-powered cold storage for fishermen, clammers, and aquaculture operators. The initiative aims to strengthen working waterfront operations while introducing shared, climate-resilient seafood infrastructure.
Beyond Mount Desert Island, other projects also received funding. The City of Rockland was granted $300,000 for a two-phase project focused on climate resilience assessment, adaptation planning, and infrastructure investment at the Rockland Commercial Fish Pier. This project aims to strengthen seafood supply chain resilience for approximately 100 commercial fishing and seafood operations. Phase 1 will involve assessing vulnerabilities, identifying adaptation opportunities, developing a site adaptation plan, and completing engineering designs. Phase 2 will carry out priority improvements based on these findings.
The Town of Freeport secured $218,400 for Wharf Restoration and Commercial Float Replacement at Cove Road. This project will replace deteriorating docks and floats at three locations along the Harraseeket River: Cove Road Wharf, the Commercial River Floats, and the Freeport Town Dock. The existing infrastructure, which supports over 60 municipal shellfish license holders, commercial fishermen, lobster and aquaculture gear storage, and temporary vessel berthing, has deteriorated due to storm surge, sea level rise, age, and heavy commercial use.
In Boothbay Harbor, Harbor Bait received $193,406.80 to modernize its aging bait-salting and ice-making equipment at the Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier. This project will involve the installation of an automated bait salter and high-capacity flake ice machines, providing essential access to bait and ice for Maine’s commercial fishing industry.
Community entities were invited to apply for these grants, which cover planning, engineering, retrofits, and design projects on publicly owned land, tribal land, or land where a public entity holds a lease or easement ensuring public access. Eligible applicants included municipal, nonprofit, business owners, private property owners, and educational organizations representing publicly owned infrastructure. Grantees are required to contribute a 5% match of the total project cost.