The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the termination of a multimillion-dollar award supporting the Maine Sea Grant this weekend. The program, overseen by UMaine, was in the second year of a roughly $4.5 million, four-year funding cycle, which was scheduled to end in 2028.      

In a Feb. 28 letter to UMaine, NOAA announced funding for the award was discontinued, and the award was immediately terminated. The program would have received around $1.5 million in 2025. The agency said activities proposed for the second year of the award “are no longer relevant to the focus of the Administration’s priorities and program objectives.”      

The announcement was a surprise to many when they learned about it during the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport over the weekend. The forum was founded with Maine Sea Grant funds 50 years ago.     

“It's nothing you're going to feel today, but I think we'll feel it over the coming years if it isn't renewed,” said Boothbay Harbor fisherman Devyn Campbell, who was at the forum but learned the news earlier.  

Campbell is active in fisheries politics. He said the program has focused on aquaculture in recent years so he wouldn't feel the loss right away as a ground fisherman. However, he said he has many indirect interactions with Maine Sea Grant and his work with ghost gear will "absolutely" be impacted.   

Founded in 1971, Maine Sea Grant says it supports coastal communities by promoting science research, education and outreach for sustainable development, management and stewardship of Maine’s marine and coastal resources. Maine Sea Grant's website lists 11 research projects with Boothbay region scientists from Bigelow Laboratory and Maine Department of Marine Resources on subjects including shrimp, harmful algal blooms and lobster. 

“What we'll feel is the downstream effects of potential research projects or lobster research that is not done or has to find funding elsewhere,” Campbell said. “I don't think it's the end of the world like everyone says it is, but I think you'll feel it a little bit.”     

The Maine Sea Grant cut appears to be one of the first major NOAA reductions under the Trump administration’s efforts to slash budgets and tighten federal spending. As of publication, Maine also seems to be the only one out of 34 Sea Grant programs facing similarly big cuts. The agency said the federal funding is at the sole discretion of the Department of Commerce, which oversees NOAA. Maine Sea Grant said it received NOAA funding, matched by the state of Maine and other non-federal sources.      

“In making these cuts, the administration claimed that the work of Maine Sea Grant is ‘no longer relevant.’ This is not only insulting, but demonstrates an alarming lack of understanding of the essential role grants and scientific studies play in sustaining our fisheries and coastal economies,” Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said in a public statement. 

Pingree called the move “shortsighted and heartless.” She said it threatens progress made in addressing challenges around ocean acidification, warming waters, and habitat conservation, and it could adversely affect fishermen who use the program’s resources.   

“We are devastated and frankly shocked by this news, knowing the value proposition that Sea Grant offers for our coastal communities and fishing fleets,” Maine Coast Fishermen's Association (MCFA) Executive Director Ben Martens said in a joint press release with the Fishing Community Coalition. “Maine’s Sea Grant programs actively collaborate with our fishing communities, businesses and schools to maximize the impact of federal funding and contribute to long-term economic viability in our coastal communities.”     

According to Maine Sea Grant, a 2023 federal investment of $1.5 million resulted in $23.5 million in economic benefits. MCFA said, in other words, a dollar spent on Maine Sea Grant is a $15.60 value for coastal communities. Maine Sea Grant also reported creating or supporting 332 Maine businesses and 565 jobs in 2023; the program has 20 employees.