DEI's Future
The Downeast Institute is committed
to building on its successful 24-year history to create Maine’s first marine
laboratory specifically devoted to shellfish research.
After years of applied research on soft-shell clams, sea scallops and lobsters at the Regional Shellfish Hatchery on Perio Point, DEI’s Board of Directors acquired the facility at Black Duck Cove that allows the non-profit Institute to better fulfill its
mission to improve the quality of life for the people of downeast coastal
Maine through applied marine research, technology transfer and public marine
resource education.
The eight-acre site with associated buildings is located on Great Wass
Island in the Washington County town of Beals. Purchased with federal and
state funds in March 2006, the parcel is accessible by land and water and
includes a 9,000 square foot former lobster holding facility, a working
wharf and two lobster pounds.
A small cove located directly to the north
of DEI's shellfish production facility.
DEI leased the facility for almost three years prior to purchasing it. The
former lobster tank building has become the Institute’s production/research
shellfish hatchery and running sea water laboratory. The Institute serves as
the Marine Field Station for the
University of Maine at
Machias. A marine education center/classroom was constructed during the summer of 2010 with funds from the National Science Foundation and the Maine Technology Institute. The classroom will accomodate learners of all ages from elementary school
students to seniors who can develop a deeper appreciation of the area’s
marine habitats and resources.
Eventually, DEI will add a fully equipped marine research laboratory that will provide opportunities for local fishermen
and marine entrepreneurs to test new ideas and experiment with adding value
to their harvests. It is anticipated that marine scientists and their
students will use the facility for teaching and research – attracted by the
productive cold water habitat and extensive twice-daily tides that expose
the most expansive flats and rocky shores on the eastern seaboard. Long-
range plans call for a dormitory and dining hall.attract marine scientists and their students to one of the last, pristine, coldwater marine environments along the east coast of the US.
Sunset over Western Bay as seen from the Downeast Institute