STRENGTHENING NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMIES
Sustainable Prosperity
In 2025, SCEC advanced infrastructure and resilience initiatives focused on coastal adaptation, fisheries sustainability, energy reliability, and community planning, including:
• Supporting working waterfront infrastructure through planning and implementation assistance for commercial shellfish harvesting at Federal Harbor in Lubec.
• Completion of the Community Risk Assessment Portfolio conducted by the National Centers for Coastal and Ocean Science. The assessment examined hazard profiles, infrastructure risk, road isolation risk, and areas at risk of community isolation, and will inform future municipal and regional planning efforts across the county.
Winner of the SCEC art contest, Piper Burgess at a Power to the People outreach table
Preventing Power Outages
Through the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project, SCEC collaborated with the Island Institute, Versant Power, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to increase public understanding of grid operations, outage prevention, and safety. Outreach efforts were delivered through public events and the“ Power to the People” campaign.
Machias Bay
Upper Machias Bay Master Plan
The Upper Machias Bay Master Plan( UMBMP) is a communityengaged planning effort and is focused on building a healthy, resilient, and prosperous future for Upper Machias Bay.
In 2025, the Upper Machias Bay Master Plan progressed through data gathering, stakeholder coordination, and public engagement. Early work identified key challenges and set shared goals related to the Machias Dike replacement project, downtown Machias flooding, water quality concerns in Machias Bay, and conservation considerations.
Three public meetings were held in 2025 to share information and discuss options related to dike replacement and flood adaptation. Final recommendations will be developed in early 2026 in coordination with municipal, state, and federal partners.
Two types of alternative gear: gear beacon, and lift bag / acoustic release( on-demand)
Engaging Lobstermen in Alternative Gear Testing
SCEC continued to serve as a regional hub for the Alternative Lobster Gear Testing Program in partnership with the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Participation increased during the year, and by December, thirteen Washington County lobster harvesters were actively testing ropeless and on-demand gear systems. Feedback from testing was shared with gear developers and regulators and presented at the Ropeless Consortium conference.
8 | SCEC 2025 Annual Report