Courses and Programming
Aquaculture in Shared Waters has developed unique aquaculture training opportunities for Mainers, gaining statewide and national recognition as a leader in aquaculture training over the past decade. Learn more about each of the courses developed and offered below.
aqsw Core program
Women in Aquaculture
aqsw Core program
This course provides fundamental aquaculture know-how to commercial fishermen, working waterfront professionals, and new farmers to increase their knowledge of best practices and likelihood of success. The 14-week soup-to-nuts curriculum is taught by industry, regulatory, and research experts, and is paired with one-on-one business and production planning and hands-on field trips to aquaculture operations.
Advanced COURSES
Women in Aquaculture
aqsw Core program
In 2021, an advanced, workshop-based training course was developed to support existing aquaculture businesses in strengthening, expanding, and adding value to their operations. Advanced curriculum and intensive workshops focused on high-priority topics in management, safety, and operations, and narrowed in on current, species-specific considerations - helping farmers improve skills and management to become more competitive.
Women in Aquaculture
Women in Aquaculture
Women in Aquaculture
The Women in Aquaculture Series builds skills and community among active and aspiring aquaculturists in Maine who self-identify as women or nonbinary. This 2024 series focuses on targeted skills for women on the water and is designed around emerging social science research. By empowering underrepresented aquaculturists, the series aims to foster greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in Maine’s aquaculture sector.
AQSW Core Program
A community-based training program that covers the fundamentals of starting an aquaculture business in Maine for folks on the working waterfront. Classes cover key topics like site selection, permitting, animal husbandry, equipment, business planning, financing, marketing and more.
Core program curriculum
Permitting and Regulations
Site Selection and equipment
Site Selection and equipment
Discover how to lease or license an aquaculture site in Maine waters. Discuss do's and don'ts with experts and guests speakers from Maine DMR.
Site Selection and equipment
Site Selection and equipment
Site Selection and equipment
Learn about key factors to consider in selecting a farm site (access, use, weather, biology) and get a hands-on look at aquaculture gear/equipment.
On-Farm operations
Site Selection and equipment
Biosecurity and public health
Dive into husbandry and best practices for shellfish and seaweed species, including seed sourcing, grow-out, harvesting, and processing.
Biosecurity and public health
business planning and financing
Biosecurity and public health
Explore critical aspects of keeping your farm and consumers safe, including shellfish handling, water quality, vibrio, biotoxins, diseases and more.
Supply chains and marketing
business planning and financing
business planning and financing
Determine how to sell and market your products. We cover marketing, sales, distribution, low-cost tactics for small farms, and licensing for dealers.
business planning and financing
business planning and financing
business planning and financing
Develop your aquaculture business plan. Learn from experts about writing a business plan, determining costs and income, and financing.
Learn to farm commercially-valuable species
OYSTERS
SCALLOPS
OYSTERS
MUSSELS
SCALLOPS
OYSTERS
SCALLOPS
SCALLOPS
SCALLOPS
KELP
SCALLOPS
SCALLOPS
414
414
414
Students have participated in this core program, learning fundamental skills and knowledge of aquaculture in Maine.
66%
414
414
Of past participants hold a commercial fishing license in Maine or have a background or family connection to the working waterfront.
11
414
11
Aquaculture in Shared Waters core courses have been offered in unique, coastal communities across the state since 2013.
Where we've been
Aquaculture in Shared Waters works to respond to community needs and provide access to training opportunities across the geography of Maine. Since 2013, the core program has been held in the following locations:
2013: HarpswelL
2013: Corea
2015: Brunswick
2016: thomaston
2017: Ellsworth
2018: Bath
2018: Machias
2019: Brunswick
2020: Brunswick
2021: virtual
2023: Belfast & Virtual
Advanced Courses
To provide training opportunities for existing aquaculture businesses, Aquaculture in Shared Waters piloted an advanced, virtual curriculum for farmers in in 2021 and then offered an intensive, workshop-based course in 2022. Each workshop was held in-person and included 9 hours of expert presentations and interactive discussion.
Advanced workshops
The Business of Aquaculture
The Business of Aquaculture
The Business of Aquaculture
This workshop series covered key topics applicable across farms including: financing and lending, business planning, supply chain coordination, human resources and safety, and technology and innovation.
Seaweed Intensive
The Business of Aquaculture
The Business of Aquaculture
A deep-dive into all things seaweed farming including: best practices and economies of scale, state and federal regulations, processing and product development, seaweed ecosystem services and climate science.
Oyster Intensive
Shellfish intensive
Shellfish intensive
Need-to-know information for oyster growers including: harvest protocol and permits, quality and markets, biofouling and predation, overwintering, plastic-free farming and new gear, and a review of ‘oyster dismal failures’.
Shellfish intensive
Shellfish intensive
Shellfish intensive
Scallops, mussels, and alternative shellfish. This workshop series covered scallop farming and biotoxin testing, seed supply and hatchery efforts, lessons learned mussel farming, evaluating a new species for cultivation, and more.
117
117
117
Active farmers, aquaculture business owners, and industry innovators participated in advanced programs.
73%
117
117
Of participants in the 2021 advanced program currently hold an aquaculture lease or license in the state of Maine.
36
117
36
Hours of advanced curriculum delivered by state and national experts in shellfish, seaweed, financing, business, and more.
Women in Aquaculture
A new skill-building series for active and aspiring aquaculturists who identify as women or nonbinary. This workshop series will be offered from February to May 2024. Applications for the program are open until January, 26, 2024.
Meet the AQSW TEAM
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Interested in These programs?
Learn more about the partners and people that make this programming possible!
Interested in These programs?
Interested in These programs?
Interested in These programs?
Join our interested parties list to stay in the loop with when and where we'll be offering trainings in the future!
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Photo Credits: Joseph Conroy III; Jaclyn Robidoux and Kathy Tenga-Gonzalez (Maine Sea Grant)
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