Sen. Duson presents key legislation to reestablish and continue the work of the Blue Economy Task Force

Posted: March 27, 2025 | Housing and Economic Development, Senator Duson

AUGUSTA — On March 27, 2025, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Jill C. Duson, D-Portland, introduced a bill to reestablish and continue the work of Maine’s Blue Economy Task Force. LD 1023, “Resolve, to Reestablish and Continue the Work of the Blue Economy Task Force,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee.

The Blue Economy is defined as “a sustainable and equitable ocean economy that optimizes innovation to expand economic opportunities in our coastal communities and to solve pressing societal needs. It is grounded in Maine’s unique marine heritage, research expertise and location.”

Sen. Duson in her chair on the floor of the Maine Senate Chamber.
Sen. Jill C. Duson

“During my time as Mayor and multi-term councilor in the City of Portland, I learned so much about how the city’s working waterfronts, innovative maritime industries and award-winning tourism and hospitality economy tie our communities together,” said Sen. Duson. “The work of this task force will help advance Maine’s economic potential, from Calais to Cape Neddick and all 3,000-plus miles of our coastline in between. The Blue Economy will create conversation and ignite innovation for many miles, from the nearest port to the furthest mountain peak.”

In the 131st Legislature, Senator Duson led the passage of LD 1286, which established the Blue Economy Task Force. LD 1023, as written, would reestablish the Task Force, which is charged with developing a report that outlines the sectors of the State’s blue economy and existing economic development plans for those sectors, and identifies opportunities where the State can enhance or facilitate the growth and scaling of blue economy businesses, including the creation of a design for a proposed Center for a Blue Economy.

“Two of the sectors [that] the Blue Economy Task Force report highlighted as primed for high economic growth are the Marine Vegetation and Marine Biotechnology sectors. Maine has the largest commercial seaweed industry in the U.S. and is the only state in the country that has a commercial rockweed industry (a type of seaweed),” said Alison Feibel, Senior Resource Biologist with Acadian Seaplants, in written testimony to the committee. “We compete on a global scale with other countries around the North Atlantic. Seaweed products have long been used in agriculture, but new technologies and applications have made these products even more beneficial, reducing the use of synthetic based fertilizers on our farms. We want Maine to be at the forefront of developing these technologies.”

The bill is cosponsored by a slate of bipartisan legislators, including Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook; Sen. Rick Bennett, R-Oxford; Sen. Mark Lawrence, D-Eliot; Sen. Marianne Moore, R-Calais; Sen. Cameron Reny, D-Bristol; Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland; Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich; and Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay.

LD 1023 faces further action in committee.