Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Let’s talk about mackerel! Mackerel are a critically important part of the coastal and offshore ecology of the Gulf of Maine, eaten by anything that can catch them. Seasonal residents, they arrive in late spring/early summer chasing young Atlantic herring before heading offshore to overwinter south of Cape Cod in the Mid Atlantic Bight. Mackerel are a sign of the season, targeted by recreational fishermen from the docks and often used as bait for striped bass and bluefin tuna. The commercial fishery takes place mostly over the winter and is limited with low quotas. While the stock has been considered overfished since 2019, thanks to effective management, it appears to be rebuilding and is becoming more abundant again in coastal Maine waters. Being small and oily, mackerel are traditionally smoked in Maine. Our researchers even like to eat them as sashimi when doing field work! To learn more about mackerel and other species in the Gulf of Maine, read our 2024 ecosystem report: https://lnkd.in/eyp8ziSP

We are so honored to have received the first Seafood Industry Climate Award from Acme Smoked Fish Corp and TD for our Aquaculture Apprenticeship Program last week at the Seafood Expo North America in Boston. The program is a comprehensive, hands-on training initiative designed to build a skilled, sustainable workforce for Maine’s growing aquaculture sector. Managed in partnership with the Maine Aquaculture Association and Southern Maine Community College, the apprenticeship combines technical education with practical farm experience and prepares apprentices for successful careers in the low-carbon aquaculture industry. Learn more about the apprenticeship program here: https://lnkd.in/eMhc75Ys

In late February, 95 teachers, librarians, and out-of-school educators from across the region came together for two full days of connection and learning at the biannual Connected Learning Ecosystems gathering at the University of Maine in Orono. Along with many other amazing partners in education, we support over 18 communities of peer educators as part of the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science Activation’s Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE) team. Learn more about the LENE program and Connected Learning Ecosystems here: https://lnkd.in/eEJMEfJF

We envision a future where the region’s ecosystems, communities, economy, and food system flourish together. Reinvesting in collaborative research is not just about rebuilding fish stocks. It’s about rebuilding hope and trust in our science and management. Fishermen, scientists, policymakers, and community members all have a role to play in ensuring our ocean and our fishing communities not just survive but thrive. Read the full op-ed, co-authored with the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association: https://lnkd.in/etGV2TX6

We're thrilled to announce Elizabeth Scott as our new Chief Development Officer! She will be responsible for shaping and executing our fundraising strategies. Elizabeth brings 20+ years of development experience, specializing in major and principal gift fundraising. She is an energetic executive and collaborative leader who will lay a foundation for sustained financial success that matches the vision and scope of our programs. “I take pride in helping people find opportunities that align with their passions and make a lasting difference. I’m deeply inspired by GMRI’s vision and look forward to helping our philanthropic partners achieve impact in the region and around the world through GMRI’s work.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eaUnEDXq Photo by Vanessa Kahn, courtesy of New England Aquarium

Tune in to WMTW today at noon to see our Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Janet Duffy-Anderson speak with WMTW Meteorologist Wisniewski about sea surface temperatures and the ecosystem impacts of warming in the Gulf of Maine last year.

On Monday, 93 middle and high schoolers, 10 teachers, and 14 professional scientists joined us in the lab for our second annual Findings from the Field symposium. The symposium provides a rare opportunity for these budding scientists from eight Maine and New Hampshire schools to meet and discuss the research they conducted for our student-led journal of ecological and environmental scientific investigations, Findings from the Field, with scientists from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and GMRI in poster sessions and presentations. The energy in the building was electric! Learn more about the journal here: https://lnkd.in/dbXi4nXD

We’re truly grateful for the dedication of the partners, researchers, community members, students, and organizations we had the privilege of collaborating with last year! In 2024, this commitment to actionable science led to: - 15k+ students engaged in STEM learning experiences - 63 startups prepared for investment and growth in the blue economy - 47% of seafood was sourced locally by businesses and institutions in our Tastemaker's program - 39 publications in peer-reviewed journals - 3,850 community scientists contributed meaningful data to several research projects - 1k+ stakeholders engaged in climate resilience work Check out our 2024 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/eM4absR2

Did you know that more than 70% of our team are women? Their expertise and leadership drive our work to understand the Gulf of Maine. We are grateful for their contributions and the diverse perspectives they bring to our mission everyday. ????????

While 2024 may have seemed relatively cool, it still came in as the 12th warmest year on record for sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Maine. The long-term warming trend in our region remains undeniable, even with a natural swing in temperatures across years. We continue to expect more sustained warmth in the years and decades ahead without significant global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read more in The Portland Press Herald: https://lnkd.in/eKSPKDg4