Sebastian Belle (he/him/his)
Executive Director
sebastian@maineaqua.org
A longtime leader in aquaculture, Sebastian Belle has dedicated his career to demonstrating global leadership in aquaculture and advocating for a sustainable working waterfront. Since 1984, Belle has established best practices and advised commercial aquaculture ventures around the world, bridging private and public sectors. In April 2022, Belle was appointed as president of the board of directors, National Aquaculture Association (NAA) for the 2022 term. Prior to joining the MAA, Mr. Belle was the state aquaculture coordinator, working for the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Mr. Belle serves on NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee and on the board of directors of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, The Island Institute, and The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center. Mr. Belle is also vice president of the International Salmon Farmers Association. “Now more than ever aquaculture needs to unify as a sector to balance innovation with long-term sustainability,” says Belle. “Our seafood farm families, in Maine and across the nation, and working waterfront depend on it.”
Christian Brayden (he/him/his)
Project Manager
christian@maineaqua.org
Christian earned a B.A. in Economics at the College of the Holy Cross and an M.S. in Resource Economics and Policy from the University of Maine. Christian’s work at MAA focuses on applied research and assisting growers with aquaculture business and production planning, including financial benchmarking, risk management, and crop insurance. Other work revolves around seafood distribution, marketing, and the creation of Maine’s first aquaculture occupational standards, including their integration into broader aquaculture workforce development efforts. He has been with the MAA since 2017.
Alison Feibel (she/her/hers)
Community Engagement Coordinator
alison@maineaqua.org
Alison supports aquaculture growers by building strategic relationships that foster community and strengthen public engagement. She works closely with members as they engage at the municipal level, ensuring growers have the tools and confidence to communicate effectively about their work and build public support for the industry. Before joining the Maine Aquaculture Association, Alison conducted research within Maine’s seaweed industry, emphasizing the importance of harvester perspectives and community involvement in the fishery. She brings that research background and her community engagement skills to the wider aquaculture sector.
Originally from Southern Maine, Alison earned her B.A. in Biology from the University of Chicago and her M.S. in Environmental Science from Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. She now lives in the Midcoast, where she enjoys spending time on the water, hiking with her husband and dog, and is always looking for a good book recommendation.
Jack Sullivan (he/him/his)
Communications and Development Specialist
jack@maineaqua.org
Jack maintains the connection between Maine Aquaculture Association and the public, shapes the organization’s brand, and shares stories to generate engagement and revenue. His experience in communications and media production has served Maine’s marine economy since 2017–having previously worked for Island Institute, a community development organization based in Rockland. In his prior role, Jack documented the stories of Maine fishermen, seafarmers, and community leaders for Island Institute’s digital and print publications. At MAA, Jack is centering his multimedia storytelling on aquaculture to advocate for the trade and educate the public.
Jack grew up in Southern Maine and earned his B.A. in New Media from University of Maine. He currently lives in the Midcoast. His passions include photography, kayaking, community radio, and sustainable seafood.
Felicia Ward (she/her/hers)
Office Manager
felicia@maineaqua.org
Felicia manages operations at Maine Aquaculture Association including human resources, finance, administration, and scheduling. She brings over 12 years of experience having previously worked as the office manager at Interstate Fire Protection. At MAA, she uses her organization skills to ensure smooth operations and maximize efficiency as MAA achieves its mission.
Felicia is from Augusta, and lives with her fiancé, their five children, and their dog. She enjoys knitting, baking, and camping with her family.