϶Center for Global Humanities hosts lecture on “How Climate Change is Reshaping Maine’s Ocean Economy”

Barry Costa-Pierce

Global climate change is opening new corridors in the arctic, leaving Maine uniquely positioned to capitalize on developing opportunities in the ocean economy. A lecture at the ϶ titled “How Climate Change is Reshaping Maine’s Ocean Economy” explored the exciting possibilities for Maine’s fisheries, aquaculture industry and maritime fields.

The lecture was delivered by Barry Costa-Pierce, Ph.D., Henry L. & Grace Doherty Professor of Marine Sciences at UNE, chair of UNE’s Department of Marine Sciences and director of UNE’s Marine Science Center. Costa-Pierce’s four-decade career in the marine and aquatic sciences has involved work for 11 different universities and organizations in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. He has conducted research for multilateral and bilateral agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, GTZ-Germany, USAID and the World Fish Centre. He is widely recognized as a global expert in fisheries, aquaculture and sustainable sea foods, and is a pioneer in the field of ecological aquaculture.

“Maine is the new ‘near-Arctic state’ in the emerging North Atlantic seafood ecosystem,” explained Costa-Pierce. “Our world is on the cusp of a great Arctic seafood science and trade revolution, and the Gulf of Maine is positioned to be a hub of marine commerce, science and education with the Arctic countries.”