Maine aquaculture body looks to recruit ‘coastal ambassadors’

Aquaculture industry leaders in the US state of Maine are looking to win hearts and minds through an initiative that aims to promote a positive view of the sector, with the help of a network of “coastal ambassadors”.

Spearheading the programme will be oyster farmer Katherine (“Kat”) Lipp (pictured) who was the first person in the US to complete an aquaculture apprenticeship.

Lipp has been appointed as Community Engagement Coordinator by the Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA), a not-for-profit trade association that advocates for Maine’s finfish, shellfish, and sea vegetable (seaweed) farmers.

She has a wealth of experience in the seafood sector, having gained experience in fisheries in Alaska, working first as a fisheries observer and then as Operations Manager at Salmon Sisters, before moving into shellfish farming at Mere Point Oyster Co in Brunswick, Maine, where she completed her apprenticeship.

Lipp will focus on establishing a coastal ambassador network and developing intensive social licence training for growers. “Social licence” is defined as the informal, ongoing support granted by the community for a project, which remains a crucial aspect of Maine’s aquaculture leasing system. This requires farmers to lay significant community engagement groundwork to receive approval from the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and operate on their sites. The Ambassador Program aims to develop essential public engagement skills, enabling farmers to navigate the process confidently while fostering community trust.

Trixie Betz, Outreach and Development Specialist at the MAA, said: “Sea farmers should not have to debunk myths in order to gain community support. As aquaculture grows, Mainers deserve accurate information.”

Lipp said: “I am thrilled to join the MAA team and provide further support to our hard-working network of farmers. I am confident that with my background in both aquaculture and wild fisheries, I will be able to effectively foster strategic relationships in Maine. I look forward to working closely with our coastal communities on a personal level to promote the responsible stewardship of our marine spaces.”