Gulf Of Maine Research Institute

HUMANS EXPERIENCE WEATHER DIRECTLY, WHILE CLIMATE AND CLIMATE CHANGE CAN ONLY BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH THE LENS OF DATA. THE NASA EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE

LABVENTURE - REVEALING SYSTEMIC IMPACTS OF A 12-YEAR STATEWIDE SCIENCE FIELD TRIP PROGRAM

EVALUATING SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL VULNERABILITY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR NORTHEAST U. S. FISHING COMMUNITIES

NORTHEAST CLIMATE INTEGRATED MODELING TO MEET OCEAN DECISION CHALLENGES

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: DEVELOPING A MODELING ORIENTATION TO SCIENCE: TEACHING AND LEARNING VARIABILITY AND CHANGE IN ECOSYSTEMS

LEVERAGING THE POWER OF REFLECTION AND VISUAL REPRESENTATION IN MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS' LEARNING DURING AND AFTER AN INFORMAL SCIENCE EXPERIENCE

DEVELOPMENT OF ROBUST MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR NORTHEAST GROUNDFISH FISHERIES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

CIVIC-FA TRACK A: CODEVELOPING LOCAL FLOOD THRESHOLDS AND HIGH TIDE FLOODING PREDICTIONS WITH COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY -THIS CIVIC INNOVATION CHALLENGE IS JOINTLY FUNDED BY THE DIVISION OF OCEAN SCIENCE AND THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN THE DIRECTORATE FOR GEOSCIENCES AND THE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (EPSCOR). THE RESEARCH ADDRESSES THE INCREASE IN SEA LEVEL AND COASTAL FLOODING, THAT IS AFFECTING MAINE?S COASTAL COMMUNITIES, TO ENHANCE THEIR RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS. NEAR AND LONG-TERM FLOOD PROJECTIONS, THAT COMBINE LOCAL OBSERVATIONS OF WATER LEVEL AND FLOOD IMPACTS, ARE CRITICAL TO COMMUNITIES? ABILITIES TO ADAPT TO THE NEW CLIMATE AND SEA LEVEL REALITY. NATIONALLY, SEA LEVEL RISE ADAPTATION-RESEARCH COMMONLY FOCUSES ON URBAN CENTERS WHERE THE GREATEST LOSSES IN PROPERTY VALUE OCCUR. RURAL COASTAL COMMUNITIES, HOWEVER, FACE UNIQUE ADAPTATION CHALLENGES DUE TO THEIR REMOTENESS, ISOLATION FROM CENTRAL PLANNING AGENCIES, LIMITED RESOURCES, AND INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY. ACCORDING TO THE US CENSUS BUREAU, MAINE IS THE MOST RURAL STATE IN THE US WITH ONLY 11% OF ITS MUNICIPALITIES HAVING A TOWN PLANNER. THE ABSENCE OF A LOCAL PLANNER OR INSUFFICIENT TO NO REGIONAL PLANNING SUPPORT AFFECTS 72% OF THESE COMMUNITIES. TO HELP THESE COMMUNITIES, THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE LEADS A TEAM OF CIVIC, COMMUNITY, EDUCATION, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS IN CO-DESIGNING AND BUILDING SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO EXPAND THE COLLECTION OF LOCAL TIDAL FLOODING DATA AND LEVERAGE IT TO BUILD RESILIENCE IN SMALL AND RURAL MAINE COASTAL COMMUNITIES. PARTNERS INCLUDE FOUR COASTAL MAINE COMMUNITIES WHERE LOW-COST TIDE GAUGES WILL BE INSTALLED TO COLLECT LOCAL WATER LEVELS IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO SUPPORT LOCAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TO RUN AND SUSTAIN A COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROGRAM THAT COLLECTS GEO- AND TIME-REFERENCED OBSERVATIONS OF LOCAL FLOOD EVENTS AND IMPACTS, DEVELOP DATA PRODUCTS FOR USE BY THE COMMUNITY, AND PROVIDE MINI-GRANTS TO LEVERAGE THE NEW DATA TO SUPPORT ONGOING FLOOD RESILIENCE PROJECTS. AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF THE WORK IS THE ENGAGEMENT OF LOCAL YOUTH BY PILOTING A THREE-PART CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROGRAM AND WORKING WITH LOCAL MUNICIPAL LEADERS ON CLIMATE ADAPTATION. LOCALIZED AND CO-DEVELOPED DATA SUPPORTING COASTAL FLOOD RESILIENCE WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT IS FOUNDATIONAL TO MULTI-DIMENSIONAL, MULTI-SECTOR, CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLANNING ISSUES FACED BY A BROAD ARRAY OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INVOLVE AND TRAIN A FEMALE POSTDOC AND TWO EARLY-CAREER PROJECT STAFF, CONTRIBUTING TO A NEW GENERATION OF RESILIENCE RESEARCHERS AND PRACTITIONERS WHO CAN WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH CIVIC LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE CIVIC INNOVATION CHALLENGE IS A COLLABORATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION. SEA LEVEL RISE HAS CREATED A SITUATION OF ROUTINE FLOODING IN MANY OF MAINE?S COASTAL COMMUNITIES. SUCH FLOOD PROJECTIONS THAT COMBINE LOCAL OBSERVATIONS OF WATER LEVEL AND FLOOD IMPACTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR COMMUNITIES TO ADAPT TO THIS NEW REALITY. MAINE FACES SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO BUILDING COASTAL FLOOD RESILIENCE DUE TO SPARSE TIDE GAUGE COVERAGE COMBINED WITH OBSERVATION-BASED FLOOD THRESHOLDS AND THE ABSENCE OF A NETWORK OF RESEARCHERS, CIVIC LEADERS, ENGAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS (PARTICULARLY YOUTH), AND RESILIENCE PRACTITIONERS READY TO LEVERAGE SUCH DATA TO SUPPORT COASTAL PLANNING AND RESILIENCE. TO ADDRESS THIS NEED, THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE HAS ASSEMBLED A TEAM OF CIVIC, COMMUNITY, EDUCATION, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO CREATE SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT EXPANDS CRITICAL COASTAL FLOODING DATA AND LEVERAGES IT TO HELP WITH COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. THE PILOT PROJECT WILL BE INITIATED IN FOUR COASTAL MAINE COMMUNITIES (PORTLAND, BOOTHBAY HARBOR, ST. GEORGE, AND MACHIAS) THAT ARE EXPERIENCING REGULAR FLOODING AND THAT HAVE A RANGE OF DEMOGRAPHICS AND MUNICIPAL CAPACITIES. RESEARCH QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE: WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL LOCATION FOR TIDE GAUGES SO THEY CAN INFORM RESILIENCE PLANNING AT THE MUNICIPAL SCALE? CAN A WELL-STRUCTURED COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROGRAM YIELD DATA THAT SUPPORTS RESILIENCE ACTIVITIES AND CATALYZES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUTH, TO DRIVE FLOOD ADAPTATION? PROJECT SUCCESS RELIES ON PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP LOCAL CAPACITY FOR RUNNING AND SUSTAINING COASTAL FLOODING COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROGRAMS THAT COLLECT GEO- AND TIME-REFERENCED FLOOD IMPACT DATA. THIS IS DONE BY WORKING WITH YOUTH AND CREATING A THREE-PART SCIENCE CURRICULUM WITH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO WILL PILOT IT IN THEIR CLASSES. GOALS ARE TO DEVELOP STUDENTS' CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCIENCE AND PHYSICAL DRIVERS OF COASTAL FLOODING, HAVE THEM PARTICIPATE IN COLLECTING AND CONTRIBUTING DATA TO THE COASTAL FLOODING COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROGRAM, AND SUPPORT THEIR PARTICIPATION IN A FACILITATED COASTAL RESILIENCE LEARNING EXERCISE ALONGSIDE ADULT COMMUNITY MEMBER MENTORS. THE SCIENCE TEAM WILL USE DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THIS APPROACH TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE CUSTOMIZED DATA PRODUCTS. IT WILL ALSO ISSUE COMMUNITY MINI-GRANTS THAT SUPPORT ONGOING FLOOD RESILIENCE PROJECTS IN EACH TARGETED COMMUNITY. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR PHASE I (RAISE): CONVERGENCE RESEARCH TO MEET OCEAN DECISION CHALLENGES

OUR PARTNERSHIP SHARES THE GOAL OF ACHIEVING A RESILIENT REGIONAL SEAFOOD SYSTEM BY BUILDING VALUE AND DEMAND FOR SEAFOOD FROM NEW ENGLAND. REGIONAL SEAFOOD REPRESENTS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A HEALTHY, RESPONSIBLY HARVESTED, CLIMATE-FRIENDLY SOURCE OF LOCAL PROTEIN FOR NEW ENGLAND, AS WELL AS A DECENT LIVELIHOOD FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES, FISHING FAMILIES, AND THE SEAFOOD SUPPLY CHAIN. THIS HAS ONLY BECOME CLEARER IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC, WHICH SERVED TO AMPLIFY THE CHALLENGES ALREADY FACED BY OUR REGION'S SEAFOOD ECONOMY. DESPITE THE HEALTHY, ABUNDANT FISHERIES AVAILABLE IN OUR REGION, REGIONAL FISH IS CHALLENGED TO COMPETE WITH INEXPENSIVE, IMPORTED SEAFOOD. THERE IS A NEED TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN INFRASTRUCTURE TO IMPROVE QUALITY AND VALUE FOR THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY, AND TO BUILD AWARENESS AND DEMAND THROUGH BUYER EDUCATION AND CONNECTING THE OFTEN-DISCONNECTED PARTICIPANTS IN THE REGIONAL SEAFOOD SUPPLY CHAIN. OUR PARTNERSHIP IS COMPRISED OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE LONG HISTORIES OF WORKING INDIVIDUALLY AND TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR FISHERMEN AND MARKETS FOR REGIONAL SEAFOOD. WE INCLUDE TWO FISHING ASSOCIATIONS, ONE NONPROFIT RESEARCH INSTITUTION, TWO LENDING AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PARTNERS, A SEAFOOD OFFLOADING SITE AND AUCTION, AND A MID-TIER SEAFOOD VALUE CHAIN BUSINESS. WE WILL ALSO ENGAGE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES THROUGH THIS PROJECT'S CONVENINGS. WE PLAN TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF IMPROVING QUALITY AND CONSISTENCY OF PRODUCT, TO PROVIDE FISHERMEN AND PROCESSORS WITH BETTER INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL TO INVEST IN INNOVATION, AND TO BUILD MEANINGFUL DEMAND FOR REGIONAL SEAFOOD THROUGH BUYER EDUCATION.

NNA RESEARCH: COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: RAPID ARCTIC CHANGE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FISHERIES AND FISHING COMMUNITIES OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC -NAVIGATING THE NEW ARCTIC (NNA) IS ONE OF NSF'S 10 BIG IDEAS. NNA PROJECTS ADDRESS CONVERGENCE SCIENTIFIC CHALLENGES IN THE RAPIDLY CHANGING ARCTIC. THIS ARCTIC RESEARCH IS NEEDED TO INFORM THE ECONOMY, SECURITY AND RESILIENCE OF THE NATION, THE LARGER REGION AND THE GLOBE. NNA EMPOWERS NEW RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS FROM LOCAL TO INTERNATIONAL SCALES, DIVERSIFIES THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARCTIC RESEARCHERS, ENHANCES EFFORTS IN FORMAL AND INFORMAL EDUCATION, AND INTEGRATES THE CO-PRODUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE WHERE APPROPRIATE. THIS AWARD FULFILLS PART OF THAT AIM BY ADDRESSING INTERACTIONS AMONG SOCIAL SYSTEMS AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE FOLLOWING NNA FOCUS AREAS: DATA AND OBSERVATION, EDUCATION, FORECASTING, GLOBAL IMPACT, AND RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE. RAPID ARCTIC WARMING IS ALTERING CIRCULATION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN. RESULTING CHANGES IN MARINE ECOSYSTEMS COULD POTENTIALLY UNDERMINE REGIONAL FISHERIES ALONG THE COASTS OF NEW ENGLAND AND ATLANTIC CANADA. THESE CHANGES WILL PRESENT NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO COASTAL COMMUNITIES. THIS NNA RESEARCH PROJECT FOCUSES ON LINKS BETWEEN ARCTIC CHANGE AND THE ICONIC AMERICAN LOBSTER (HOMARUS AMERICANUS) FISHERY. THE LOBSTER FISHERY IS THE MOST VALUABLE SINGLE-SPECIES FISHERY IN NORTH AMERICA. IT IS ALSO A WELL-STUDIED SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM, MAKING IT A GOOD SUBJECT FOR CONVERGENCE RESEARCH. THE PROJECT BUILDS A NNA LOBSTER NETWORK BASED ON CROSS-SECTOR AND CROSS-BORDER PARTNERSHIPS. THE PROJECT DEVELOPS A CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FOCUSED ON THE NORTHWARD GEOGRAPHIC RANGE SHIFTS OF LOBSTERS IN A WARMING OCEAN. THIS PROJECT IS PRODUCING NEW KNOWLEDGE TO UNDERSTAND THE LINKS AMONG CLIMATE-INDUCED ARCTIC CHANGE, LOWER LATITUDE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, AND AN ICONIC FISHERY IN THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC. THIS COLLABORATIVE PROJECT TESTS TWO OVERARCHING HYPOTHESES: (1) CLIMATE-DRIVEN ARCTIC CHANGE WILL AFFECT THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF AMERICAN LOBSTER STOCKS, AND (2) THE RESILIENCE OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES WILL DEPEND ON ACCURATE INFORMATION TO MAKE DECISIONS. THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IS STUDIED BY OCEANOGRAPHERS AND ECOLOGISTS DEVELOPING A COUPLED ATMOSPHERE-ICE-OCEAN-ECOSYSTEM MODEL. THIS MODEL EVALUATES HOW CHANGES IN THE ARCTIC CRYOSPHERE AND OCEAN CIRCULATION AFFECT ECOSYSTEM AND FISHERY PRODUCTIVITY AT THE LOWER LATITUDES OF THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC. MODEL OUTPUTS ARE VALIDATED USING EXISTING FIELD DATASETS, SOME OF WHICH ARE CO-PRODUCED BY THE FISHING INDUSTRY. IMPROVED PREDICTIVE MODELS RESULTING FROM THIS EFFORT ARE USED FOR FORECASTS AND SCENARIO ANALYSIS OF LOBSTER POPULATION DISTRIBUTION. SOCIAL SYSTEMS ARE STUDIED THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF A BIO-ECONOMIC MODEL OF THE FISHING FLEET AND EVALUATION OF THE ECONOMIC RELIANCE OF THE FISHERY. THE NNA LOBSTER NETWORK LEADS TO A BROADENED UNDERSTANDING OF PHYSICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AT VARYING SCALES OF INTEREST UNDER PAST AND FUTURE CLIMATE AND MANAGEMENT SCENARIOS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF WARMING ON THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF MARINE COMMUNITIES

IN THE SHORT-TERM, THE BLUE INNOVATION RECOVERY PROJECT IS INTENDED TO ACT AS A PLATFORM FOR GROWTH AND RESILIENCE FOR BLUETECH STARTUPS AND SMALL SEAFOOD BUSINESSES THAT ARE FACING SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC. IN THE MEDIUM TO LONG-TERM, THE PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON BUILDING A RESILIENT REGIONAL ECONOMY THROUGH THE USE OF A BLUE INNOVATION CORRIDOR WITH HUBS OF EXCELLENCE IN BOSTON AND PORTLAND. BY SUPPORTING INNOVATION IN THE SEAFOOD SECTOR, AN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF NEW ENGLAND'S ECONOMY AND CULTURE, THE BLUE INNOVATION RECOVERY PROJECT WILL STIMULATE JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL ATTRACTION AS THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY INNOVATES AND ADAPTS TO VOLATILE MARKETS.THE PROJECT TEAM WILL BETTER CONNECT THE VIBRANT GREATER PORTLAND AND GREATER BOSTON BLUE ECONOMY ECOSYSTEMS. A NEW BLUE ECONOMY INNOVATION CORRIDOR WILL ALLOW EACH RESPECTIVE REGION TO BRING TO BEAR ITS CORE COMPETENCIES, RESULTING IN A STRONGER ECONOMIC CLUSTER. SPECIFICALLY, THIS STRATEGY WILL STRENGTHEN THE GULF OF MAINE REGION'S EMERGENCE AS A GLOBAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR BLUE ECONOMY INNOVATION BY BUILDING ON AND BETTER LINKING THE TRADITIONAL SEAFOOD SYSTEM TO THE REGION'S VIBRANT STEM-BASED STARTUP ECOSYSTEM. THIS GRANT WILL HELP STARTUPS AND SMALL-BUSINESSES SURVIVE AND GROW BY CREATING DELIBERATE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN AND AMONG ENTREPRENEURS, NEW ENGLAND'S MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH EXPERTISE AND LAB CAPACITY, AND EXISTING INDUSTRY AND PRIVATE CAPITAL. THE RESULTING INNOVATION PLATFORM WILL LEAD TO A MORE DIVERSE SEAFOOD VALUE CHAIN, INCREASED INVESTMENT, AND THE CREATION OF BOTH STEM AND WORKING-CLASS JOBS IN NEW ENGLAND'S COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (GMRI), THROUGH ITS GULF OF MAINE VENTURES OFFICE, WILL EXPAND AND SCALE ITS NEWLY LAUNCHED BLUE ECONOMY INITIATIVE TO CREATE AND ACCELERATE BUSINESSES APPLYING TECHNOLOGY TO TRADITIONAL AND EMERGING MARINE INDUSTRIES. THE BLUE ECONOMY IS DEFINED BY THE WORLD BANK AS THE "SUSTAINABLE USE OF OCEAN RESOURCES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS AND JOBS, AND OCEAN ECOSYSTEM HEALTH". THE UNITED NATIONS HAS DECLARED 2020-2030 AS THE DECADE OF OCEAN SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. THROUGHOUT THE GULF OF MAINE REGION, ENTREPRENEURS ARE FOCUSED ON DRIVING INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE FINFISH, SHELLFISH, AND ALGAE AQUACULTURE, AS WELL IN MODERNIZING WILD FISHERIES AND DRIVING CLIMATE ADAPTION. THEIR SOLUTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE REGION'S GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS AND QUALITY JOB CREATION. GMRI'S BLUE ECONOMY INITIATIVE IS A NATURAL EXTENSION OF THE INTEGRATION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK, AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREAC

THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTES (GMRI) CLIMATE CENTER AIMS TO ASSIST COASTAL COMMUNITIES TO ENVISION AND PLAN FOR RESILIENT AND THRIVING WATERFRONT ECONOMIES ALL ALONG MAINES COAST. THE CENTER WILL ASSIST COMMUNITIES IN PLANNING FOR A FUTURE WITH HIGHER SEAS, STRONGER STORMS, AND WARMING WATERS. THE WORK WILL INVOLVE CO-DEVELOPING LOCALIZED ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION SOLUTIONS THROUGH STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND SEEK EMERGENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARISE WITH A CHANGING CLIMATE. THE COMMUNITY WORK WILL RESULT IN ACTIONABLE PLANS THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH AND IN SUPPORT OF MAINE WON'T WAIT, THE STATE'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN BY PROVIDING WORKING WATERFRONT STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITIES WITH ACTIONABLE NEXT STEPS FOR THRIVING IN WARMING WATERS. THIS PROJECT WILL CONVENE A LEADERSHIP TEAM OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE, AND COMMUNITY EXPERTS TO: (1) ASSESS AND RAISE AWARENESS OF CLIMATE-RELATED VULNERABILITIES AND HAZARDS IN A WORKING WATERFRONT COMMUNITY, (2) ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND ECONO

FY 22 CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING CONGRESSIONAL EARMARK GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

A REGIONAL EFFORT TO IMPROVE QUALITY MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW ENGLAND FINFISH. PROJECT WILL INCREASE LOCAL ACCESS TO AND CONSUMPTION OF LOCAL SEAFOOD AND HELP LOCAL FISHERMEN TO CAPTURE MORE VALUE

SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE NORTHEAST MARINE COMMUNITY: SCIENTIFIC DATA AND STAKEHOLDER SERVICES TO SUPPORT AN EFFECTIVE ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO MANAGEM

THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (GMRI) THE MAINE SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM (MSGC) AND THE CITIZEN SCIENCE ASSOCIATION (CSA) COLLABORATIVELY PROPOSE A WORKSHOP TO ADVANCE NASA S GROWING ENGAGEMENT WITH CITIZEN SCIENCE.

THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CREATE MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT THAT WILL LEAD TO AN EQUITABLE AND EFFECTIVE OFFSHORE WIND (OSW) DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN THE GULF OF MAINE. THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT CAPACITY BUILDING FOR GULF OF MAINE FISHING COMMUNITIES AT THE EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT, IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND FOSTER HONEST DIALOGUE TO CO-CREATE SOLUTIONS. IN THIS PROJECT, THE TERM “FISHING COMMUNITIES” REPRESENTS COMMUNITIES OF PEOPLE WHOSE LIVELIHOOD IS DEPENDENT ON HARVESTING MARINE RESOURCES AND INCLUDE ALL GEAR TYPES (E.G. MOBILE-GEAR AND FIXED-BOTTOM). GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (GMRI) WILL BUILD AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE INFORMATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND ENGAGEMENT NEEDS OF FISHING COMMUNITIES REGARDING OSW DEVELOPMENT. GMRI WILL THEN DEVELOP RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT ALIGN WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS THAT INFORM AND PREPARE FISHING COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OSW PROCESS. THIS WORK WILL PROVIDE FISHING COMMUNITIES WITH THE BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THEIR ENGAGEMENT IN ALL PHASES OF OSW DEVELOPMENT. GMRI HOPES TO ENHANCE STAKEHOLDERS’ CAPACITY TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS AROUND COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENTS (CBA) AND POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS (PPA) THROUGH A FACILITATED WORKSHOP TO CO-DESIGN FUTURE SCENARIOS TO MITIGATE OR MINIMIZE ADVERSE IMPACTS OF OSW DEVELOPMENT. GMRI’S APPROACH WILL EMPHASIZE THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE RESOURCES AND PROMOTE SHARED SUCCESS FOR FISHING COMMUNITIES’ LONG-TERM RESILIENCE THROUGH CO-CREATING SOLUTIONS THAT BOLSTER SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD HARVESTING AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

MAINE IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED FOR AQUACULTURE GROWTH, BUT A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE COULD STUNT THE INDUSTRY'S POTENTIAL TO INCREASE PRODUCTION AND JOBS. OUR SOLUTION IS TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE MAINE AQUACULTURE WORKFORCE TRAINING SYSTEM TO MEET THE CURRENT AND FUTURE LABOR NEEDS OF MAINE'S RAPIDLY GROWING AND EVOLVING AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY THAT FOLLOWS THE FORWARD-THINKING MAINE AQUACULTURE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND IS UNDERPINNED BY INDUSTRY-DEVELOPED OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS.SPECIFICALLY, WE WILL:DEVELOP AND PILOT A MAINE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AQUACULTURE (ME DOL) AQUACULTURE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WHERE PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE, RECEIVE MENTORING, GET TRAINED AND TESTED ON DEFINED OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCIES, AND LEARN TO USE CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY AT MAINE'S MOST SOPHISTICATED COMMERCIAL SHELLFISH AND SEA VEGETABLE FARMS.DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER A SERIES OF STACKABLE, CREDENTIALED, AQUACULTURE SHORT COURSES AT SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (SMCC) THAT FORM THE BASIS OF AN AQUACULTURE CERTIFICATE.UPDATE THE MAINE AQUACULTURE OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS FOR SHELLFISH AND SEA VEGETABLES, RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS, AND MARINE FINFISH TO ENSURE THAT AQUACULTURE WORKFORCE TRAINING REMAINS RELEVANT TO MAINE'S RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND GROWING INDUSTRY.COORDINATE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY BETWEEN SMCC, WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE MID-COAST SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY (K-9 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL), AND ME DOL APPRENTICESHIP TO ESTABLISH MATRICULATION PATHWAYS AND DUAL-CREDIT PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE FAST-TRACKED DEGREE COMPLETION.OUR CONSORTIUM OF GMRI, SMCC, MAA, EDUCATE MAINE, AND ME DOL IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO DEVELOP AND SUSTAIN THE BROAD ARRAY OF INTERCONNECTED INDUSTRY-RELEVANT PROGRAMS TO HELP MAINE ACHIEVE ITS AQUACULTURE POTENTIAL.

DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL BUILD CAPACITY FOR DISADVANTAGED WORKING WATERFRONT COMMUNITIES TO HAVE MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT IN THE OFFSHORE WIND (OSW) DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN THE GULF OF MAINE. THIS PROJECT WILL ENHANCE COASTAL COMMUNITIES' ABILITY TO ENGAGE CONSTRUCTIVELY IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS THROUGH DEVELOPING RESOURCES (EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL ASSETS), SHARING THEM IN AN ONLINE HUB, AND ALSO DIRECTLY IN THE PRIORITIZED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS PROJECT IN THE GULF OF MAINE. SECOND, THIS PROJECT WILL BUILD OFF OF FUNDING THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), WHERE THEY WILL SUPPORT COMMUNITIES CO-CREATE STRATEGIES FOR THE MOST EQUITABLE BENEFIT FROM COMMUNITY BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITH GULF OF MAINE STATES, COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENTS (CBA) FROM DEVELOPERS, AND INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITIES TIED TO OFFSHORE WIND IMPACTS). THEY WILL BUILD OFF THIS WORK BY WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES AND REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS (I.E. MUNICIPALITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS), WHO WILL BE TASKED WITH ENSURING COMPENSATION AND OTHER FINANCIAL BENEFITS CAN BE GRANTED EQUITABLY FROM COMMUNITY BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS. AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS FROM OFFSHORE WIND ARE A NEW SOURCE OF FUNDING, THEY WILL SUPPORT MUNICIPAL/GOVERNMENT STAFF WITH UNDERSTANDING POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND WITH DEVELOPING FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL ALLOW FOR THE MOST IMPACT ON INVESTMENT.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING INFORMATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND ENGAGEMENT ASSETS REGARDING OFFSHORE WIND (OSW) DEVELOPMENT. THIS WILL BE DONE BY LEVERAGING RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND THE SECTORS OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY NEEDS AND SHARE RESOURCES DIRECTLY WITH THESE GROUPS. THEY WILL COMPILE, SYNTHESIZE, ANALYZE, AND TRANSLATE INFORMATION ON PRIORITY AREAS AND PROVIDE ONGOING UPDATESAS MORE INFORMATIO N IS AVAILABLE. THIS INCLUDES KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM RELEVANT REPORTS, AND TRANSLATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED THROUGHOUT THIS PROJECT. THESE RESOURCES WILL BE SHARED IN PLEASANT POINT, STONINGTON, AND PORTLAND, MAINE; HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE; AND GLOUCESTER AND NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS. THEY WILL ALSO SHARE THESE RESOURCES WITHIN THE GULF OF MAINE OFFSHORE WIND RESOURCE HUB ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. THE RESOURCE HUB WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGH THIS PROJECT AND RESOURCES WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT'S DURATION. DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD YEARS OF THE PROJECT, THEY WILL REEVALUATE AND UPDATE THE RESOURCES BASED ON LOCAL COMMUNITY NEEDS. THEY WILL HOLD LISTENING SESSIONS IN EACH OF THE COMMUNITIES TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THEIR CHANGING NEEDS CONCERNING OSW DEVELOPMENT. THE SECOND MAJOR ACTIVITY WILL BUILD THE CAPACITY FOR COMMUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CREATES BROADER IMPACT ON INVESTMENT. THIS WILL INVOLVE OUTREACH TO IDENTIFIED COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND ESTABLISH A NETWORK OF STAKEHOLDERS TO ENGAGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR OWN COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENTS (CBA). THE PROJECT WILL ALSO IDENTIFY WHAT FINANCIAL STRUCTURES AND INVESTMENTS EXIST IN EACH COMMUNITY THAT COULD BE POTENTIAL CONDUITS FOR CBA FUNDING, CONDUCT FINANCIAL ANALYSIS TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY OR MUNICIPALITY GUIDANCE ON HOW THAT FINANCIAL STRUCTURE WILL SUPPORT THEIR CBA OBJECTIVE AND SUSTAINABILITY IN COMING YEARS, AND PRODUCE A REPORT ON PRIORITIZED COMMUNITIES AND THEIR INDEPENDENT CBAS, WORKSHOPS, AND PROGRAMMING TO SERVE AS CASE STUDIES AND BEST PRACTICES FOR FUTURE COMMUNITIES.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: AT LEAST SIX LEADERS, ONE FOR EACH FOCUS COMMUNITY, SERVING AS A COMMUNITY POINT OF CONTACT; AT

THIS PROJECT REPRESENTS A CRITICAL STEP IN ADVANCING RESILIENCE FOR MAINES SHELLFISHERIES. THROUGH COLLABORATION OF MULTIPLE PARTNERS AND ENGAGEMENT OF DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERSINCLUDING WILD SHELLFISH HARVESTERS, AQUACULTURE PRODUCERS, SHELLFISH HATCHERY OPERATORS, SCIENTISTS, MUNICIPAL SHELLFISH COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND DECISION-MAKERS THIS PROJECT WILL ADVANCE THREE KEY OBJECTIVES TO: UNDERSTAND THE OBSERVED IMPACTS, RISKS OF GREATEST CONCERN, AND INFORMATION NEEDED TO SUPPORT ADAPTATION BY WILD-HARVEST AND AQUACULTURED SHELLFISH FISHERY PARTICIPANTS IN CASCO BAY. COORDINATE THE SYNTHESIS OF EXISTING DATA FOR CASCO BAY TO EVALUATE RISKS OF CONCERN AND ADDRESS INFORMATION NEEDS RELATED TO COASTAL AND OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND OTHER STRESSORS. DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK FOR AN INTEGRATED RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT FOR CASCO BAY SHELLFISHERIES TO EVALUATE IMPLEMENTATION READINESS AND GAPS. THE PROJECT BUILDS ON PRIOR EFFORTS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND NORTHEAST U.S. BY SYNTHESIZING ENVIRONMENTAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA AND DEVELOPING AN INTEGRATED VULNERABILITY AND RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK. FINDINGS WILL SUPPORT INFORMED RISK ASSESSMENT AND DECISION-MAKING TO FACILITATE ADAPTATION AND STRENGTHEN THE RESILIENCE OF SHELLFISHERIES IN MAINE, PARTICULARLY IN CASCO BAY. THE INSIGHTS GAINED AND GROUNDWORK DEVELOPED THROUGH THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT CONTINUED LEADERSHIP IN ADDRESSING OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND PREPARING COASTAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE CHALLENGES OF A CHANGING OCEAN.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCY INFORMED BY SCIENCE AND EXPERIENCE (C-RISE): BRINGING PLANNERS, SCIENTISTS, EDUCATORS, AND CITIZENS TOGETHER TO BUILD SCIENCE AN

DEVELOPING UNDERSERVED ELEMENTARY STUDENTS? SYSTEMS THINKING AND ECONOMIC LITERACY THROUGH INVESTIGATIONS OF LOCAL ECOLOGICAL-ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE INFORMED BY SCIENCE AND EXPERIENCE (C-RISE): DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND RELATIONSHIPS TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF RURAL COASTAL COMMUNITIES TO PLAN FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE.

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS) ARE VALUABLE TOOLS FOR CONSERVING LIVING MARINE RESOURCES. IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES, MPAS MAY PROVIDE BENEFITS BY PROTECTING CRITICAL HABITATS FOR FISH, WHICH CAN HAVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR THEIR FEEDING, GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION, ALL OF WHICH CAN TRANSLATE TO HIGHER POPULATION GROWTH AND RECOVERY POTENTIAL. HOWEVER, MPA EFFECTIVENESS MAY VARY DEPENDING ON THEIR DESIGN AND THE SPECIES THAT RELY ON THEM. FOR EXAMPLE, SEDENTARY SPECIES WITH PARTICULAR HABITAT NEEDS MAY BENEFIT FROM SIMPLE MPA DESIGNS, WHEREAS MOBILE SPECIES WITH MORE COMPLEX HABITAT REQUIREMENTS, VARYING OVER THEIR LIFETIMES AND AMONG SEASONS, MAY REQUIRE A MORE CONNECTED HABITAT APPROACH. ATLANTIC COD IS AN ICONIC SPECIES IN THE GULF OF MAINE (GOM) WITH UNPARALLELED CULTURAL, ECOLOGICAL, AND ECONOMIC VALUE. COD HAVE EXPERIENCED MAJOR DECLINES IN RECENT DECADES PARTIALLY DUE TO OVERFISHING, WHICH HAS BEEN EXACERBATED BY RAPIDLY WARMING WATERS; THE GOM IS WARMING AT A RATE THREE TIMES FASTER THAN THE GLOBAL AVERAGE. WHILE THE SITUATION IS DIRE FOR COD, IT COULD BE WORSE IF NOT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF PERMANENT GROUNDFISH CLOSURES (MPAS). ADDITIONALLY, SOME COD IN THE GOM MAY BENEFIT FROM ADAPTATIONS THAT CONFER WARM TOLERANCE. SPECIFICALLY, GOM COD EXIST AS TWO SPAWNING ECOTYPES (SPRING AND WINTER SPAWNERS) AND THESE TYPES ARE GENETICALLY ISOLATED AND POSSESS ADAPTIVE GENETIC VARIATION ASSOCIATED WITH VARIABLE THERMAL REGIMES. FURTHERMORE, OTOLITH MICROCHEMISTRY ANALYSES HAVE SHOWN THAT THE WINTER ECOTYPE TENDS TO OVERLAP MORE WITH CLOSED AREAS AND EXPERIENCES SEASONAL TEMPERATURE CYCLES. MEANWHILE, THE SPRING TYPE APPEARS TO EXPERIENCE UNIFORMLY COLD TEMPERATURES, WHICH WOULD BE EXPECTED IF THEY MAKE SEASONAL MOVEMENTS TO DEEPER BASINS, POSSIBLY OUTSIDE OF CLOSED AREAS. THIS STUDY AIMS TO EVALUATE HOW MPAS MAY DIFFERENTIALLY PROTECT COD ECOTYPES IN THE GOM AND ASSESS HABITAT CONNECTIVITY FOR THESE TYPES UNDER DIRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE (I.E., RAPID WARMING). USING AN EXPANDED ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY ARRAY AND SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELS (THAT ACCOUNT FOR DEPTH, TEMPERATURE, AND PREY FIELDS), THE RESEARCH WILL TRACK FINE-SCALE MOVEMENTS OF BOTH ECOTYPES, IDENTIFY CRITICAL HABITATS, AND PREDICT DISTRIBUTION SHIFTS UNDER WARMING SCENARIOS. THE RESULTS WILL INFORM THE DESIGN OF RESILIENT, CONNECTED MPAS (E.G., NEWLY PROPOSED CASHES LEDGE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY) THAT SUPPORT DIVERSE HABITAT NEEDS FOR COD ECOTYPES, THEREBY ENSURING THE CONSERVATION OF COD POPULATIONS AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF GOM FISHERIES. WHILE FOCUSED ON COD, THIS FRAMEWORK AND ITS OUTCOMES COULD BE BROADLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER FISH SPECIES, OFFERING INSIGHTS INTO HOW MPAS CAN SUPPORT DIVERSE MARINE LIFE UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE.

CONTINUATION OF THE MAINE INSHORE ACOUSTIC HERRING SURVEY: COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH TO SUPPORT THE MAINE LOBSTER INDUSTRY

COASTAL SEES (TRACK 2), COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION OF A COASTAL ECOLOGICAL-ECONOMIC SYSTEM IN RESPONSE TO INCREASING TEMPERAT

MAINE INSHORE ACOUSTIC SURVEY FOR NORTHERN SHRIMP

ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF ATLANTIC COD IN THE GULF OF MAINE AND ITS ROLE IN RESILIENCY OF A FISHERY

PHASE 1 - SMART GRID DATA ACCESS PILOT PROGRAM

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ONLINE CLIMATE AND FISHERIES DATA DASHBOARD FOR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE NORTHEAST SHELF LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM

CLIMATE VULNERABILITIES AND ADAPTATION PATHWAYS FOR NORTHEAST U. S. FISHING COMMUNITIES

VITALVENTURE: IMMERSING MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARNERS IN AUTHENTIC AQUATIC SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS

THIS PROJECT IS BASED IN INDIGENOUS FIJI FISHING COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH IN THREE COASTAL INDIGENOUS FISHING COMMUNITIES WILL BE CONDUCTED TO: (1) UNDERSTAND EXISTING AND FUTURE VULNERABILITIES TO CLIMATE IMPACTS; (2) IDENTIFY RESILIENCE FEATURES OF THE FISHERIES AND FACTORS THAT SUPPORT OR CONSTRAIN RESILIENCE; AND (3) DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THESE FISHERIES. THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO PRODUCE A PLAN FOR ADVANCING RESILIENCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE INTEGRATED INTO THE FISHERIES STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING OCEANS AND RESILIENCE ECOSYSTEMS BY 2030 UN OCEAN DECADE PROGRAM. DISASTER EVENTS EXACERBATED BY CLIMATE CHANGE ARE FELT UNEQUALLY BY INDIGENOUS FISHING COMMUNITIES. COMMUNITIES SELECTED USE LOW-COST, LOW-TECH FISHING AND ARE PARTICULARLY IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

BROADENING ACCESS TO CT-STEM: LEVERAGING LIVED EXPERIENCES AND HYBRID LANGUAGE PRACTICES OF UPPER ELEMENTARY MAINERS FOR COMPUTATIONAL SENSEMAKING

A SUITE OF STORYTELLING AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSETS WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR SEAFOOD PROCESSORS, RESTAURANTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND RETAILERS TO USE TO BUILD DEMAND AND INCREASE CONSUMPTION OF GULF OF MAINE SEAFOOD. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONSUMER-FACING PARTNERS INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND RETAILERS WILL BE PROVIDED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES TO SOURCING MORE REGIONAL SEAFOOD AND INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF THE REGIONAL SEAFOOD SUPPLY CHAIN. A SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY TO PROMOTE PARTNERS' ACCOMPLISHMENTS WILL BE DEVELOPED.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF "CHOKE" SPECIES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

PURPOSE: AMERICAN LOBSTER SUPPORTS THE MOST VALUABLE FISHERY IN THE UNITED STATES AND IS ECONOMICALLY VITAL AND CULTURALLY IMPORTANT TO MANY COASTAL COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS OF MAINE. THE FISHERY OPERATES IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING ECOSYSTEM, IN WHICH WARMING ENHANCED GROWTH OF THE LOBSTER POPULATION IN THE GULF OF MAINE DURING THE 2000S AND 2010S, WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO A SUBSTANTIAL DECLINE IN THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND LOBSTER POPULATION AS CRITICAL TEMPERATURE THRESHOLDS WERE REGULARLY EXCEEDED. DISTINCT OCEANOGRAPHIC, ECOSYSTEM, AND LOBSTER POPULATION REGIMES HAVE BEEN CHARACTERIZED, YET RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THESE REGIMES HAVE NOT BEEN ANALYZED TO UNDERSTAND HOW BROADER ECOSYSTEM CONDITIONS MAY BE DRIVING SHIFTS IN LOBSTER POPULATIONS. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THROUGH THIS PROJECT, THE AUTHORS WILL DEVELOP A DEEP ANALYSIS OF REGIME SHIFTS IN THE NORTHEAST SHELF AND COASTAL MAINE ECOSYSTEMS TO UNDERSTAND 1) HOW CHANGES IN LOBSTER POPULATIONS ALIGN WITH AND ARE RELATED

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: E-CORE RII: STRENGTHENING MAINE'S RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM AND PATHWAYS THROUGH STRATEGIC CAPACITY BUILDING -THIS PROJECT'S VISION AND GOALS REFLECT A STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT THAT INCLUDED MAINE?S JURISDICTIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE. STATEWIDE PROJECT PARTNERS INCLUDE THE MAINE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ALLIANCE, GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FORT KENT, AND SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THESE PARTNERS WILL LEVERAGE CURRENT AND EVOLVING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS TO ENHANCE THE GROWTH OF THE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (R&D) ECOSYSTEM IN MAINE. THE PROJECT INCLUDES FOUR SYNERGISTIC CORES THAT AIM TO SUPPORT BUILDING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH CAPACITY IN MAINE. THE ADMINISTRATIVE CORE WILL ADVANCE DIVERSITY, COORDINATION, EVALUATION, REPORTING, GROWTH, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE STATE. THE K-16/WORKFORCE READINESS CORE WILL ADDRESS STEM WORKER SHORTAGES AND DEVELOP PATHWAYS TO BROADEN THE PARTICIPATION OF INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE?S RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM. THESE EFFORTS WILL FOCUS ON PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS, EMERGING RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND YOUTH FROM BACKGROUNDS TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM). THE ACADEMIC FACILITIES AND RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE CORE WILL INVEST IN EARLY CAREER FACULTY, INCENTIVIZE COLLABORATION ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS AND DISCIPLINES, AND STRENGTHEN R&D THROUGH SEED GRANTS THAT ALIGN WITH MAINE?S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PLAN. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND USE-INSPIRED CORE WILL GENERATE NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT RESEARCH TRANSLATION AND HOW TO MEASURE AND COMMUNICATE THE IMPACT OF SPECIFIC R&D INVESTMENTS TO INFORM DECISION-MAKERS. TEAM SCIENCE IS BUILT INTO THE PROJECT TO SUPPORT ITS LEADERS AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCS. THE OVERARCHING SOCIETAL BENEFIT OF THE PROJECT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENHANCED AND PRODUCTIVE RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM THAT FULLY ENGAGES DIFFERENT INSTITUTION TYPES AND SECTORS. THIS E-CORE RII PROJECT WILL ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO INCREASE R&D COMPETITIVENESS IN RURAL AREAS. BUILDING STRONG NETWORKS ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS WILL CREATE AND SUSTAIN AN INCLUSIVE STATEWIDE NETWORK CONNECTING MAJOR RESEARCH EFFORTS AND INDIVIDUALS. THE PROJECT HAS POTENTIAL TO GENERATE NEW, ACTIONABLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW SYNERGISTIC INTERVENTIONS, INTEGRATED ACROSS FOUR CORES THAT UNDERGIRD RESEARCH CAPACITY, CAN STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM WITHIN MAINE SPECIFICALLY, AND, MORE GENERALLY, WITHIN RURAL STATES WITH LIMITED AND HIGHLY DISTRIBUTED RESEARCH AND STEM ASSETS. THE PROJECT INCLUDES A FRAMEWORK FOR AN EVIDENCE-BASED INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO PREPARE STEM FACULTY IN INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND FOSTER SYSTEMIC CHANGES IN MAINE?S INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND SUBSEQUENTLY ITS STEM WORKFORCE. ADDITIONALLY, PROJECT CORES WILL DEPLOY CONVERGENT RESEARCH APPROACHES GROUNDED IN SOCIOCULTURAL LEARNING THEORY AND RESEARCH-TO-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS TO GENERATE NEW KNOWLEDGE REGARDING (I) COLLABORATION AMONG STEM EDUCATORS, (II) PATHWAYS TO STEM EDUCATION, (III) ACQUISITION OF STEM CONTENT, AND (IV) INDIGENOUS SCIENCES INTEGRATION INTO THE UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM THROUGH DIALOGUES LED BY CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS. SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE: A NEW INDIGENOUS SCIENCE PROGRAM; NEW PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO SERVE UNDERREPRESENTED YOUTH WITH AUTHENTIC STEM RESEARCH EXPERIENCES; AND RESEARCH AND WORK-READINESS EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES, GRADUATE STUDENTS, AND POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS. LONGER-TERM OUTCOMES INCLUDE: IMPROVED FACULTY RETENTION AND RELATED INCREASES IN FACULTY PRODUCTIVITY; FULLER PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH BY INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE STATE; IMPROVED STAKEHOLDER UNDERSTANDING OF THE POSITIVE IMPACTS OF R&D INVESTMENT; GREATER ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN STEM; A MORE ROBUST INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR MAINE?S STEM WORKFORCE; AND MORE START-UP BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURIAL CAPACITY, AND COMMERCIALIZATION OUTCOMES. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

REU SITE: INTEGRATED STUDIES IN A RAPIDLY WARMING FISHERY ECOSYSTEM -THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (GMRI),LOCATED IN PORTLAND, ME, WILL HOST A RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU) PROGRAM THAT WILL BRING SIX UNDERGRADUATES TO THE GMRI CAMPUS EACH SUMMER FOR THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE A 10-WEEK RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. GRMI WILL PROVIDE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS WITH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IN THE GULF OF MAINE, A COUPLED NATURAL AND HUMAN (CNH) SYSTEM WARMING FASTER THAN 99% OF THE WORLD?S OCEANS. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE GMRI PROGRAM IS TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS CAPABLE OF DESCRIBING, QUANTIFYING AND COMMUNICATING THE INTERCONNECTIONS BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN INFLUENCES ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS. APPLICATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED FROM STUDENTS ATTENDING COLLEGES WITH LIMITED RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES, SUCH AS TWO-YEAR AND FOUR-YEAR PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS, VETERANS, AND STUDENTS FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS. REU STUDENTS AT GMRI EXPLORE THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE GULF OF MAINE FISHERY ECOSYSTEM (PLANKTON TO SEAFOOD), HOW IT IS CHANGING OVER TIME (TRENDS AND PREDICTION), HOW IT RESPONDS TO PERTURBATIONS (E.G., CLIMATE AND FISHING), AND HOW CHANGES MAY AFFECT LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES. THEY DEVELOP INDEPENDENT, HYPOTHESIS-DRIVEN RESEARCH PROJECTS AND ARE EXPOSED TO MULTIPLE SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES, INCLUDING CLASSIC EXPERIMENTAL ECOLOGY, OBSERVATIONAL SCIENCE, AND STATISTICAL AND DYNAMICAL MODELING. STUDENTS ALSO RECEIVE SAFETY TRAINING, ETHICS TRAINING, AND DATA MANAGEMENT, ANALYSIS AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOPS. THESE, ALONG WITH SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, A JOURNAL CLUB, REGULAR SEMINARS AND A STUDENT SYMPOSIUM TO SHARE RESULTS ARE DESIGNED TO FOSTER A SENSE OF SHARED EXPERIENCES, CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM. STUDENT RESEARCH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO MARINE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING ENVIRONMENT, LESSONS FROM WHICH CAN BE APPLIED TO OTHER COUPLED SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

DEVELOPING AN ULTRA-LOW-OPENING GROUNDFISH TRAWL TO AVOID COD AND ENSURE A PROSPEROUS INSHORE FISHING FLEET

THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (GMRI), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MASSCHALLENGE (MC) AND THE ROUX INSTITUTE OF NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (ROUX) WILL LAUNCH THE OCEANVISTA ACCELERATOR - A PROGRAM THAT WILL LEVERAGE THE GULF OF MAINES MARITIME ECONOMY, REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE DATA-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS FOR SEAFOOD PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY CHAIN, COASTAL RESILIENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE, RENEWABLE ENERGY, SHIPPING, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND FINANCIAL MARKETS. OCEAN DATA-ENABLED COMPANIES MUST FOCUS ON EARLY DETECTION, REAL-TIME FORECASTING, AND PREDICTIVE MODELING TO ENHANCE RISK MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONAL DECISION-MAKING, AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE. WE HAVE ALIGNED TO THEME 4 (ECOSYSTEM SERVICES) TO FOCUS ON TOOLS THAT RESPOND TO A CHANGING OCEAN CLIMATE IN NEAR REAL-TIME.

IMPLICATIONS OF RESOLVING A MISMATCH IN THE SCALE OF ATLANTIC COD FISHERY MANAGEMENT

DO CLOSED AREAS PROMOTE HEALTHY AGE STRUCTURES IN NEW ENGLAND GROUNDFISH?

SUPPORTING DECISION-MAKING UNDER CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE: MULTI-SCALE FORECASTS AND RESOURCES FOR THE MAINE LOBSTER FISHERY

REU SITE: INTEGRATED STUDIES IN A RAPIDLY WARMING FISHERY ECOSYSTEM

UNDERSTANDING AND IMPROVING SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION PROJECTIONS FOR LOBSTER: CONSIDERING PREDATION AND BUILDING EXPERT CONSENSUS

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL CAPACITY TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY

RESILIENCE, ADAPTATION, AND TRANSFORMATION IN LOBSTER FISHING COMMUNITIES.

THIS PROJECT HAS FIVE MAIN OBJECTIVES TO ENCOURAGE THE UPTAKE OF A PROVEN NET DESIGN TO REDUCE ATLANTIC COD (GADUS MORHUA) BY 46%: 1. ESTABLISH A MULTISTAKEHOLDER GROUP OF STRATEGIC ADVISORS COMPOSED OF FISHERS, NET MAKERS, RESEARCHERS, AND A SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, 2. EQUIP FIVE VESSELS WITH ULOT NETS FOR COMMERCIAL USE AND RESEARCH PURPOSES, 3. OBTAIN QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ON NET USE, FUEL CONSUMPTION, AND CATCH COMPOSITION, 4. PROVIDE OUTREACH TO OTHER INDUSTRY MEMBERS AND INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS FOR INCREASED UPTAKE, AND 5. PROVIDE OUTREACH TO THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY ON THE EFFICACY OF A HIGHLY INCENTIVIZED UPTAKE STRATEGY AS A CHANGE MANAGEMENT MODEL.

TRANSFORMING NEW ENGLAND'S GROUNDFISH INDUSTRY THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SECTORS.

ESTABLISHING HIGH END AND SASHIMI-GRADE MARKETS FOR SEAFOOD FROM THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES

REU SITE: ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN A RAPIDLY WARMING OCEAN REGION -THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (GMRI),LOCATED IN PORTLAND, ME, WILL HOST A RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU) PROGRAM THAT WILL BRING SIX UNDERGRADUATES TO THE GMRI CAMPUS EACH SUMMER FOR THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE A 10-WEEK RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. GRMI WILL PROVIDE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IN THE GULF OF MAINE. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE GMRI PROGRAM IS TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS CAPABLE OF DESCRIBING, QUANTIFYING AND COMMUNICATING THE INTERCONNECTIONS BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN INFLUENCES ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS. THE GMRI REU STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO MULTIPLE SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES, INCLUDING CLASSIC EXPERIMENTAL ECOLOGY, OBSERVATIONAL SCIENCE, QUALITATIVE ANALYSES AND STATISTICAL AND DYNAMICAL MODELING. STUDENTS CAN CHOOSE TO WORK WITH A BROAD RANGE OF MENTORS WHO ARE ACTIVE IN MARINE FISHERIES AND COASTAL ECOLOGY AND DYNAMICS, BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY, RESOURCE ECONOMICS, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, AND THE LEARNING SCIENCES. APPLICATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED FROM STUDENTS ATTENDING COLLEGES WITH LIMITED RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES, SUCH AS TWO-YEAR AND FOUR-YEAR PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS, VETERANS AND FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS. REU STUDENTS AT GMRI EXPLORE THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE GULF OF MAINE FISHERY ECOSYSTEM (PLANKTON TO SEAFOOD), HOW IT IS CHANGING OVER TIME (TRENDS AND PREDICTION), HOW IT RESPONDS TO PERTURBATIONS (E.G., CLIMATE AND FISHING), AND HOW CHANGES MAY AFFECT LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES. THEY DEVELOP INDEPENDENT, HYPOTHESIS-DRIVEN RESEARCH PROJECTS AND ARE EXPOSED TO MULTIPLE SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES, INCLUDING CLASSIC EXPERIMENTAL ECOLOGY, OBSERVATIONAL SCIENCE, AND STATISTICAL AND DYNAMICAL MODELING. STUDENTS ALSO RECEIVE TRAINING FOR RESEARCH SAFETY AND ETHICS AND PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS ABOUT DATA MANAGEMENT, DATA ANALYSIS AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS. THESE, ALONG WITH SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, A JOURNAL CLUB, REGULAR SEMINARS AND A STUDENT SYMPOSIUM TO SHARE RESULTS ARE DESIGNED TO FOSTER A SENSE OF SHARED EXPERIENCES, CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM. STUDENT RESEARCH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO MARINE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING ENVIRONMENT, LESSONS FROM WHICH CAN BE APPLIED TO OTHER COUPLED SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD. THIS PROJECT IS JOINTLY FUNDED BY THE DIVISION OF OCEAN SCIENCES AND THE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (EPSCOR). THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

DEVELOPING MARKETS FOR UNDERUTILIZED AND UNDERVALUED SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE NORTHEAST: AN INDUSTRY COLLABORATION LED BY THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH I

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN MANAGEMENT STRATEGY EVALUATION OF NEW ENGLAND GROUNDFISH IN A CHANGING OCEAN

UNDERSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS TO INCREASED PROFITABILITY FOR THE GULF OF MAINE LOBSTER INDUSTRY

THE GOAL OF THIS STUDY IS TO DEVELOP AN IMPROVED MEASUREMENT OF ABUNDANCE FOR WESTERN BLUEFIN TUNA (BFT) THAT ACCOUNT FOR THE EFFECTS OF CHANGING OCEAN CONDITIONS. THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH FISHERY STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP MODELS OF BFT CATCH PER UNIT AND EVALUATE ITS INFLUENCE ON THE STOCK ASSESSMENT.

OPERATIONAL USE OF OTOLITH CHEMISTRY TO INFORM STOCK ASSESSMENT AND FORWARD PROJECTION OF ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA POPULATIONS

SPATIO-TEMPORAL ASSOCIATIONS OF WESTERN BLUEFIN TUNA INDICES OF ABUNDANCE WITH OCEAN CLIMATE CONDITIONS

INCORPORATION OF STOCK MIXING IN THE ASSESSMENT AND FORWARD PROJECTION OF ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA POPULATIONS

IMPROVING THE SELECTIVITY OF LOBSTER TRAPS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF GROUNDFISH

EVALUATING PERFORMANCE OF ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES OF MIXED ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA STOCKS

ADDRESSING SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES FOR L

HEALTH CARE AND OTHER FACILITIES

IMPROVING THE SELECTIVITY OF THE ULTRA-LOW OPENING TRAWL (ULOT) TO REDUCE BYCATCH OF ATLANTIC COD (GADUS MORHUA).

FISH LESS, EARN MORE: ACHIEVING MAXIMUM ECONOMIC YIELD IN GULF OF MAINE'S LOBSTER FISHERY, BY APPLYING LESSONS LEARNED FROM SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA.

TITLE: MEANINGFUL WATERSHED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ASH AND ASH STEWARDS OVERVIEW: THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO EMPOWER YOUTH IN MAINE, PARTICULARLY WABANAKI YOUTH, TO CONTRIBUTE TO COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BY INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS SCIENTISTS, LAND MANAGERS, WABANAKI BASKET MAKERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PRESERVE ASH TREES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. OVER THE TWO-YEAR PROJECT, THEY WILL BRING TOGETHER A COHORT OF 12 TEACHERS ACROSS 8 COMMUNITIES IN MAINE TO BUILD TEACHER CONFIDENCE IN SUPPORTING YOUTH THROUGH MWEES DESIGNED TO PROTECT BROWN ASH STANDS AND THE WATERSHEDS THAT RELY ON THEM. THIS PROJECT INCLUDES MULTIPLE PARTNERS INCLUDING THE ASH PROTECTION COLLABORATION ACROSS WABANAKI (APCAW), AN INDIGENOUS-LED LAB AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE; THE WILD SEED PROJECT, AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS WITH THE PUBLIC TO INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF NATIVE PLANTS GROWN FROM WILD SEED; AND THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION, AND FORESTRY (DACF). OVER THE COURSE OF 2-YEARS, THIS PROJECT INTENDS TO CONNECT 800-1000 MAINE AND WABANAKI YOUTH TO THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS SCIENTISTS, AND A BROAD SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY THROUGH MEANINGFUL WATERSHED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES.

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

DESCRIPTION:THIS PROJECT PROVIDES FUNDING TO GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (GMRI) TO IMPLEMENT ITS PROJECT, WHICH WILL DESIGN, DEMONSTRATE, AND DISSEMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRACTICES, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES, THAT WILL SERVE TO INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND ENCOURAGE BEHAVIOR THAT WILL BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT ACROSS MAINE IN COMMUNITIES WITH TITLE 1 SCHOOLS. THE GRANTEE WILL DO THIS BY UTILIZING GMRI'S EXPERTISE PARTNERING WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN PLACE-BASED, CITIZEN SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS OF MAINE'S ECOSYSTEMS. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS BRING EXPERTISE REGARDING SCIENCE AND STEWARDSHIP IN FORESTED AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS. PROJECT WILL SUPPORT 8 MIDDLE SCHOOLS FROM A RANGE OF COMMUNITIES REACHING APPROXIMATELY 800-1200 STUDENTS FROM ACROSS MAINE TO ENGAGE THOSE SCHOOLS WITH SCHOOLS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND IN RELATED HEMLOCK INVESTIGATIONS AND MONITORING EFFORTS. ACTIVITIES:THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ACROSS MAINE AND PROVIDE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND TO TAKE RESPONSIBLE ACTIONS. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED DURING THIS PROJECT PERIOD INCLUDE: BUILD STUDENT UNDERSTANDING OF ECOSYSTEM COMPLEXITY AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT COMPLEXITY FOR UNDERSTANDING AND STEWARDING LOCAL FORESTS AND WATERWAYS AND MANAGING INVASIVE SPECIES, CONNECT PARTICIPATING STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCIENTISTS AND RESOURCE MANAGERS AS THEY COLLABORATE TO MONITOR AND STEWARD FOREST AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM HEALTH IN MAINE AND ACROSS NEW ENGLAND, DEVELOP STUDENT AND TEACHER KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE WORK OF SCIENTISTS AND RESOURCE MANAGERS, AND MOVE STUDENTS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORS TO STEWARDS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AS THEY PARTICIPATE IN AND ENGAGE THEIR COMMUNITIES IN STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUB-GRANT PROGRAM WILL ENABLE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE TO GIVE EIGHT SUBAWARDS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM ACROSS MAINE'S TITLE 1 SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT THE WORK BY PROVIDING VITAL SERVICES, EXPERTISE, AND A FRAMEWORK TO MAKE THIS PROJECT ON LONG TERM FOREST AND WATER QUALITY AWARENESS SUCCESSFUL AND SUSTAINABLE.OUTCOMES:IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THIS PROJECT WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING DELIVERABLES APPROXIMATELY 800-1200 STUDENTS HAVE EXPERIENCES THAT SPAN THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONTINUUM, FROM BUILDING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH TO DESIGNING AND PARTICIPATING IN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ACTIONS THAT EXTEND TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION AND EDUCATION OF THE LARGER COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATING STUDENTS HAVE AN INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF SCIENTISTS, RESOURCE MANAGERS, AND CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS, AND PARTICIPATING STUDENTS HAVE AN INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF SCIENTISTS, RESOURCE MANAGERS, AND CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS.

IMPROVING OCEAN ACCESS FOR RESEARCH AND TEACHING AT THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

1.AWARD PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ENGAGE MAINE CLASSROOMS AND COMMUNITIES IN LONG-TERM MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP OF LOCAL FORESTS.2. DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON BOTH EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR MAINE YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTING TO INVASIVE PEST MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT EFFORTS. AN EXPECTED OUTCOME IS INCREASED ENGAGEMENT WITH SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY. 3.INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES): THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE WILL COMPOSE A SUMMARY AND RESULTS OF THE SURVEY/ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITIES TO SHARE WITH INDUSTRY AND COOPERATORS. 4.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD: N/A

COMMUNITIES IN LONG-TERM MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP OF LOCAL FORESTS. ASH AND HEMLOCK STEWARDS NORTHEAST SUPPORTS STUDENTS ACROSS MAINE IN LONG-TERM FOREST PEST MONITORING AND FOREST STEWARDSHIP. 2. DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON BOTH EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR MAINE YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS C ONTRIBUTING TO INVASIVE PEST MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT EFFORTS. AN EXPECTED OUTCOME IS INCREASED ENGAGEMENT WITH SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY. 3. INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES): THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE WILL COMPOSE A SUMMARY AND RESULTS OF THE SURVEY/ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITIES TO SHARE WITH INDUSTRY AND COOPERATORS. 4. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD: N/A

RBDG E REA

CIVIC-PG TRACK A: CODEVELOPING LOCAL FLOOD THRESHOLDS AND HIGH TIDE FLOODING PREDICTIONS WITH COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY -SEA LEVEL RISE IS INCREASING THE FREQUENCY OF HIGH TIDE FLOODING ALONG THE 3,500 MILES OF TIDALLY INFLUENCED SHORELINE IN MAINE, AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES FACE AN URGENT NEED TO ADAPT. NEAR AND LONG-TERM HIGH TIDE FLOODING PROJECTIONS THAT COMBINE RELIABLE TIDE PREDICTIONS AND LOCAL OBSERVATIONS THAT TIE WATER LEVELS TO SPECIFIC FLOOD IMPACTS (?FLOOD THRESHOLDS?) SERVE AS A TECHNICAL FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY ADAPTATION TO INCREASING FLOOD RISK. HOWEVER, SPARSE TIDE GAUGE COVERAGE, UNRELIABLE TIDE PREDICTIONS, AND A LACK OF OBSERVATION-BASED FLOOD THRESHOLDS ALL POSE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO FLOOD ADAPTATION PLANNING IN MAINE. THE GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, IN COLLABORATION WITH US HARBORS, WILL LEAD A TEAM OF CIVIC, COMMUNITY, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS IN BUILDING SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ESTABLISHING FLOOD THRESHOLDS AND IMPROVING TIDE PREDICTIONS IN THREE COASTAL MAINE COMMUNITIES: PORTLAND, ST. GEORGE, AND BOOTHBAY. THE LOW-COST PROCESSES PILOTED IN THIS PROJECT WILL INFORM REPLICABLE PRACTICES IN ANALOGOUSLY COMPLEX COASTLINES WITH LIMITED NOAA TIDE GAUGE DATA. WITHIN MAINE, LOCALIZED, CO-DEVELOPED FLOOD HAZARD AND VULNERABILITY INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE DATA AND ENGAGEMENT FOUNDATIONAL TO CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLANNING QUESTIONS FACED BY A BROAD ARRAY OF STAKEHOLDERS. THE STATE?S ECONOMY RELIES ON ACCESS TO COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE?AND AS THE MOST RURAL STATE IN THE U.S.?MAINE COASTAL COMMUNITIES FACE UNIQUE ADAPTATION CHALLENGES DUE TO THEIR REMOTENESS, ISOLATION FROM CENTRAL PLANNING AGENCIES, LIMITED RESOURCES, AND POVERTY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS PROJECT FILLS A CRITICAL NEED FOR ENABLING MORE EFFECTIVE FLOOD ADAPTATION IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN MAINE?AND BEYOND. THE APPROACH IN THIS RESEARCH PROJECT INVOLVES INSTALLING COMMUNITY-OWNED, LOW-COST TIDE GAUGES USING EMERGING WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES. CIVIC AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WILL IDENTIFY PRIORITY AREAS FOR INSTALLING THE GAUGES. COLLABORATING UNIVERSITY SCIENTISTS WILL CONDUCT USE-CASE SCENARIOS TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF THE WATER LEVEL DATA PRODUCTS (E.G., TIDE PREDICTIONS AND EMERGENCY ALERTS) IN MEETING COMMUNITY NEEDS. RESEARCHERS WILL ALSO BUILD COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN EACH COMMUNITY FOR COLLECTING GEO- AND TIME-REFERENCED PHOTOGRAPHIC FLOOD IMPACT DATA THAT CAN BE TIED TO WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENTS AND LIDAR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL FLOOD THRESHOLDS. FINALLY, WATER LEVEL DATA WILL BE USED TO PERIODICALLY CALCULATE HARMONIC CONSTITUENTS, GENERATE IMPROVED LOCAL TIDE PREDICTIONS, AND ESTIMATE TIDAL DATUMS. IN THE PROJECT?S FOLLOW-ON STAGE 2 SUBMISSION OF WHICH THIS STAGE 1 WORK PREPARES THE PROJECT READY FOR QUICK INITIATION AND IMPLEMENTATION, THE TEAM WILL LEVERAGE THE SCALABLE METHODOLOGY AND CIVIC AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS BUILT IN STAGE 1 TO EXPAND TO 20 COMMUNITIES AND ADAPT EXISTING STATISTICAL METHODOLOGIES FOR DEVELOPING HIGH TIDE FLOODING PROJECTIONS FOR INTEGRATION INTO COMMUNITY PLANNING ACTIVITIES. THIS PROJECT IS IN RESPONSE TO THE CIVIC INNOVATION CHALLENGE PROGRAM?TRACK A. LIVING IN A CHANGING CLIMATE: PRE-DISASTER ACTION AROUND ADAPTATION, RESILIENCE, AND MITIGATION?AND IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN NSF, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: THE INFLUENCE OF PREDATORS ON COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND RESULTANT ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING AT A BIOGEOGRAPHIC SCALE

CONVENING A WEEK-LONG GULF OF MAINE 2050 SYMPOSIUM IN NOVEMBER 2019 FEATURING EXPERT PRESENTATIONS, INFORMATIVE POSTER SESSIONS, AND ENGAGING WORK SESSIONS. SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS AND PRACTITIONERS WILL WORK TOGETHER TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF CRITICAL DRIVERS OF CHANGES (TEMPERATURE, OCEAN ACIDIFICATION, AND SEA LEVEL RISE), WHILE ALSO DEVELOPING SHARED VISION FOR ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION.

COLLABORATIVE PROPOSAL: CAMEO: USING INTERDECADAL COMPARISONS TO UNDERSTAND TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN ABUNDANCE AND CONDITION IN FISHERY ECOSYSTEMS

TESTING IN-TRAWL IMAGE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS TO QUANTIFY AND RECORD BYCATCH IN THE ATLANTIC HERRING/ MACKEREL MID-WATER TRAWL FISHERY.

NO-COST EXTENSION (PRIOR APPROVAL WAIVED - RESEARCH)

NO-COST EXTENSION

NO-COST EXTENSION (PRIOR APPROVAL WAIVED - RESEARCH)

NO-COST EXTENSION

SITE PREPARATIONS FOR CENTER FOR MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WING AT GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE