By Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center

The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center is proud to announce the Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Exposition, a premier aquaculture conference dedicated to exploring sustainable aquaculture practices and innovations. The event takes place January 7-9, 2026, at Holiday Inn By The Bay, in Portland, Maine. It brings together industry leaders, scientific researchers, and policymakers to discuss the future of sustainable seafood production in the Northeast.

The conference focus on a range of critical issues facing the aquaculture industry, and feature the largest aquaculture tradeshow held in Maine, demonstrating the latest innovations in aquaculture gear technology. The conference includes presentations about cutting edge research on seaweed, shellfish and finfish aquaculture, innovations in gear and technology, and training programs for the next generation of farmers. Attendees gain valuable insights from over 100 expert talks, more than 40 poster presentations, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities designed to foster innovation and collaboration.

The biennial Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exposition (NACE) was created in 1998 by the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, while the Milford Aquaculture Seminar (MAS) began in 1975 as a forum for technology transfer. MAS is held in conjunction with NACE every other year.

«We are thrilled to bring together aquaculture leaders from across North America,» said Dr Annie Langston Noll, Executive Director of the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center. «This joint meeting represents a unique opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities facing our industry while promoting sustainable practices.»

“Aquaculture is not just a solution for today; it’s a pathway to a sustainable future. By harnessing the power of innovation and responsible practices, we can protect our ecosystems as well as farm local seafood and support the next generation of our working waterfront,” said Dr. Brian Beal, Director of Research of the Downeast Institute.

About Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center

The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center (MAIC) was established in 1988 to support the sustainable growth of Maine’s aquaculture sector. Since its founding, MAIC has played a key role in advancing research, infrastructure development, education, and public outreach through strong industry and community partnerships. MAIC envisions Maine as a leader in sustainable aquaculture that benefits both coastal communities and the environment. Our mission is to advance economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable aquaculture that supports livelihoods, strengthens food and economic security, and conserves marine ecosystems.

About NOAA Milford Labs

The Milford Laboratory, a world leader in aquaculture science, was established in the 1930s at the request of Connecticut’s oyster industry to help expand sustainable oyster harvests. Over the lab’s history, NOAA scientists, working closely with industry and academia, have made fundamental contributions to the understanding of shellfish biology and reproduction. Today, the Milford Lab conducts state-of-the-art science that informs management for the sustainable expansion of aquaculture, provides services to the shellfish aquaculture industry, and advances new technologies through collaborative research.

About Maine’s Aquaculture Industry

Since 2007, the total economic impact of Maine’s aquaculture industry has nearly tripled from USD 50 to over USD 137 million. It employs over 700 people full-time at nearly 200 farms along the coast. The Maine Aquaculture Association website has current information about the industry in Maine.