Maine’s Blue Economy Task Force - A Report to the Legislature, Volume 2

Augusta, Maine | December 3, 2025
Dept. of Economic & Community Development 
Prepared by: Michael Conathan, Charles Colgan, Blaine Grimes, Dana O’Brien and Laura Taylor Singer

Executive Summary

Maine’s future is tied to the sea. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ocean-related businesses contributed nearly $6.8 billion to Maine’s gross domestic product and employed over 90,000 people. Beyond the economic numbers, the ocean is central to Maine’s identity. Our more than 5,000 miles of coastline, including inlets and islands, is longer than that of any other state except Alaska. From the boats we build to the fish and shellfish we catch to the new ideas emerging from our laboratories and working waterfronts, the ocean shapes how Mainers live and work. Many components of our marine-related economy such as our seafood industry, aquaculture, offshore wind, and others have already been the subjects of carefully considered roadmaps and strategy documents. Yet other sectors that provide jobs, spark innovation, and keep Maine’s coastal communities thriving have not yet received this kind of careful consideration. Meanwhile, other states and countries have invested significant resources in understanding and growing these marine economic sectors within their borders. Each jurisdiction defines the bounds of this collective differently, yet they typically share the same name. They are referred to as the “blue economy.”

In order to allow Maine to join other states and regions in taking advantage of these opportunities, the Legislature established the first Blue Economy Task Force in 2024. Its first priority was to produce a definition of Maine’s blue economy. It also identified five economic sectors or industries with high economic growth potential: aquaculture and marine vegetation, marine biotechnology, ocean data and research, resilient coastal infrastructure, and sustainable boatbuilding and marine propulsion. It did not identify these sectors as replacements or even direct competition for other ocean industries that already have clear strategies and investments in place. Rather the Task Force sought to focus attention on new opportunities that could deliver broad benefits for Maine’s people and communities, in many cases while supporting our legacy industries. The first report concluded with a series of recommendations to strengthen coordination and investment across the spectrum of Maine’s marine sectors. These recommendations are referenced in full in the January 2025 report submitted to the Legislature.

In June 2025, the Legislature reestablished the Blue Economy Task Force and codified the definition of Maine’s blue economy. This new Task Force, made up of 23 members and more than a dozen additional participants (see Appendix A), was charged with two priorities: 1) develop recommendations for a Maine Center for the Blue Economy; and 2) recommend improvements to blue economy workforce and training programs.

The recommendations addressing each of those directives are summarized here and described in greater detail in the subsequent sections of this report. It is important to note that this work—and the foundation established by the first Task Force—moved forward with the understanding that other major ocean sectors were already progressing under pre-existing strategies and institutional processes. As these sectors evolve, the Blue Economy Center could eventually provide a natural venue for added coordination or strategic support. Any future expansion would be guided by the Center’s board, executive director, and stakeholders, and would remain consistent with the goals and priorities in this report.