Six different lobster boats, which span the coast from Cheabeague Island to Sorrento, have participated in a juvenile lobster ventless trap study with the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation. For each haul the fishermen record the latitude/longitude of the traps, total number of lobsters trapped, sex, v-notch & egg bearing females and carapace length using a slot gauge. The information collected will contribute towards stock assessment, as there is a gap in data between settlement studies and commercial catch.

Evan Young of Acadia Cultured Mussels LLC in Hancock utilized CEI financing to purchase a mussel raft, seed and equipment. Evan provides weekly samples from his shellfish rafts in Bernard and Blue Hill to the Maine Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program. The samples are tested for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning to determine closed areas and ultimately to protect public health.

Tim Sheehan and Aaron Corr of Gulf of Maine, Inc. in Pembroke have demonstrated a commitment to develop new and innovative ways to use Maine's natural resources in a sustainable manner. They collect and sell quality marine specimens from Cobscook Bay to be used for marine research and classroom tide pool learning kits. They participated in a study documenting the presence or absence of shipworms in Cobscook Bay with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Maine Department of Marine Resources.

F/V Miss Daisy (Frenchmen's Bay Fisheries) owners Heath and Lee Hudson participated in a horseshoe-tagging project in Taunton Bay. The goal of the project was to develop baseline data about the life histories and movements of horseshoe crabs in order to draft sustainable harvesting regulations. The Hudsons went on to become involved in a study in Taunton Bay with the Maine Department of Marine Resources looking at the environmental impacts of mussel dragging (sediment disturbance) in relation to bottom dwelling invertebrates.

Atlantic Exposure Cruise and Charter, LLC in Kennebunkport came to CEI for help to finance the retrofit of a fishing vessel to be used as a research/charter vessel. During the summer months, owner Michael Day takes groups out daily and educates them about Maine's lobster resource by using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Michael always films his ROV excursions and his videos have been used for education purposes at local colleges and high schools.

The North End Lobster Co-Op, with financial assistance from CEI, purchased a 3.75 acre piece of property on Westport Island. The land now provides access to 19 lobster boats in the midcoast area. The purchase has helped to preserve the working waterfront in their area as well as improving earnings for the individual lobstermen who are involved in the co-op. The co-op president participated in a lobster sea sampling program with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, where all lobsters captured were recorded.

The family-run Miller's Wharf in St. George-Tenants Harbor used CEI financing to create all tide access to their existing pier through dredging, pier repairs and an extension. They are working with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection on installing the first coastal sewage pumpout station between Boothbay Harbor and Rockland. The pumpout will divert untreated sewage from entering the bay and polluting the water and local clam flats.

In York, local fishermen Jeff Donnell and Mark Sewell teamed up with the York Land Trust to save Sewalls Bridge Dock (the oldest fish wharf on the York River) from the conversion to a private residence. CEI provided legal and development assistance, and financed a portion of the York Land Trust's "development rights." Part of their project was to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) as defined by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

On the Portland waterfront, Vessel Services' mission is to provide local fishing vessel owners and fish processors with a reliable, reasonably priced source of fuel and ice. With CEI financing, Vessel Services purchased a new energy-efficient natural gas powered screw compressor that would allow savings from electricity costs, primarily associated with the ice-making portion of Vessel Services.

Morrison's Maine Course, a start-up prepared specialty seafood processing and wholesale business on Portland's waterfront, used CEI financing to expand operations and purchase equipment. Don Morrison needed to purchase equipment to help him produce and package a flash frozen stove-top ready lobster stew and clam chowder. For Don's SHORESIDE project he chose to purchase an energy-efficient ice machine that would fulfill his business needs and save an estimated $1,056.00 in energy costs over the anticipated lifetime of the machine.

Coast of Maine Organic Products, Inc. in Marion Township utilizes waste products from the fishing and blueberry industries (negating disposal costs for the industries) to create premium organic compost for gardeners. Coast of Maine came to CEI to help finance a front-end loader to help keep up with their expanding business needs. As its market has grown, the company has expanded from its original compost product to several different varieties of compost, mulch, and fertilizer. Coast of Maine Compost.