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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Executive Director of Maine Aquaculture Association Tapped for National Role
HALLOWELL, Maine, April 4th, 2022 – The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA), a private non-profit trade association representing Maine shellfish, fin fish and seaweed farmers, today announced the election of Sebastian Belle, executive director, Maine Aquaculture Association, as president of the board of directors, National Aquaculture Association (NAA) for the 2022 term.
A longtime leader in aquaculture, 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. Prior to joining the MAA, Mr. Belle was the state aquaculture coordinator, working for the Maine Department of Marine Resources. In addition to his new board position, 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,” said Belle. “Our seafood farm families, in Maine and across the nation, and working waterfront depend on it.”
Maine’s aquaculture industry currently represents nearly 200 farms and more than 700 farmers who produce premium seafood–fin fish, shellfish, and sea vegetables–in Maine’s cold, clean waters. The sector has been steadily growing in recent years, and its total economic impact has nearly tripled.
About the Maine Aquaculture Association
The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) est. 1978, is a nonprofit trade association that advocates for Maine’s fin fish, shellfish, and sea vegetable farmers. MAA’s mission is to support the state’s aquatic growers in developing economically and environmentally sustainable business practices, to promote the benefits of aquaculture in the local food system, and to preserve Maine’s heritage of a vibrant working waterfront.
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About the National Aquaculture Association
The National Aquaculture Association is a U.S. producer-based, non-profit trade association founded in 1991 that supports the establishment of governmental programs that further the common interest of our membership, both as individual producers and as members of the aquaculture community. For over 31 years NAA has been the united voice of the domestic aquaculture sector committed to the continued growth of our industry, working with state and federal governments to create a business climate conducive to our success, and fostering cost-effective environmental stewardship and sustainability.
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