Marine Program
Worldwide ocean management is undergoing a major transition in response to profound losses, new understandings, and emerging threats. The shift towards “ecosystem-based management” has created unprecedented opportunities for coastal communities to participate in the stewardship of local marine areas and resources.
The fundamental purpose of QLF’s Marine Program is “to advance the community-based conservation of marine areas and resources in the Gulf of Maine.” Its strategy is to illuminate the social, environmental, and economic benefits of engaging coastal communities in the management of their marine environment. To do this we operate conservation and education projects in Muscongus Bay and we use our first-hand understanding to identify and respond to the needs and opportunities facing community-based marine practitioners throughout the Gulf of Maine. By combining education and conservation, we work with resource users and decision-makers, both the current ones and the next generation’s too. Our approaches operate at local, state, regional and international levels. At every scale we leverage our efforts by working in partnership with both governmental and non-governmental organizations. For more information please visit our Marine Program's website: www.muscongusbay.org.
Morgan King (right), a 2004-05 QLF Intern hosted by the Friends of the Medomak Watershed, shows Michele Walsh, QLF's 2004-05 Marine Program coordinator, how to collect estuarine water samples for processing by Maine's Department of Environmental Protection. Photograph by Jen Atkinson