This project provides financial support for downeast institute's (DEI) marine research which is primarily aimed at enhancing fisheries production through sustaining wild shellfish harvests and…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $669,936 Project Grant to the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education, Inc. (DEI) under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program (CFDA 11.469). This funding supports DEI's marine research activities focused on enhancing fisheries production through sustaining wild shellfish harvests and developing new shellfish aquaculture opportunities.

Specifically, the grant enables DEI to increase the capacity and function of its world-class marine research facility and commercial-scale experimental shellfish hatchery. Funded activities include supporting existing staff, purchasing/leasing infrastructure to enhance cellular-level research capabilities, improve safety and capabilities of research vessels and vehicles, enhance environmental conditions in the hatchery building, and diversify seawater laboratory functions. Expected outcomes include increased capacity and capabilities at DEI to conduct applied marine research on topics such as measuring spatial and temporal variability in soft shell clam reproduction, examining the effects of ocean acidification and warming on hatchery-reared blue mussels, and research on out-of-season hatchery production of sea scallops. The project period runs from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2026.

Activities

Activities involve supporting existing staff and purchasing or leasing infrastructure which will increase DEI's ability to conduct research on the cellular level; improve safety and capabilities of research vessels and vehicles; improve environmental conditions in the hatchery building; and increase diversity and utility of sea water labs.

Expected outcomes

The outcome of these investments will be increased capacity and function at DEI, a world-class marine research facility with a commercial scale experimental shellfish hatc