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V O L . X X I I I N O. X X S E P T E M B E R 4 , 2 0 1 7 22 be fi ne oyster-producing sites, like Casco Bay, the Bagaduce River, Frenchman Bay. So the type of site has broadened. e other big change is the type of person who's growing oysters." It used to be those DMC students. "Now, you see more people from commercial fi shing, and people with no connection to marine industries at all, because maybe they've tasted Maine oysters and became enamored of how oysters are grown and the oyster farming lifestyle." Innovations Mook was one of those students from the Darling Marine Center. He got a job at a commercial shell- fi sh hatchery in Muscongus Bay, then started his own business. He eventually focused on oysters because of their high per-unit value and burgeoning demand both for market-size oysters and for oyster seed. Today, he considers his a small but rapidly grow- ing business. Employee numbers have grown from four in 2010 to 24 year-round and seasonal today. Finding staff isn't easy. "We've been creating a lot of jobs. And they're good jobs" with a education level from high school to doctor- ate level, he says. Most hires come from out-of-state. "We're actively involved in pushing for more aquacul- ture training programs for all skill levels," he adds. His hatchery produces 120 million oyster seeds a year. More than 90% are sold to other growers throughout the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. He grows the rest on his approximately 40 acres of leases on the Damariscotta, grading and thinning P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D Learn more: techplacemaine.us | 207.607.4195 Supporting the growth of innovative early-stage manufacturing companies engaged in Aerospace, Life Sciences, Advanced Materials / Composites, Information Technology, and Clean Tech. Fostering and Supporting Innovation in Maine! Maine's Center for Innovation Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovatio Maine's Center for Innovation Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio Brunswick Landing Maine's Center for Innovatio SHAPING THE COMMUNITIES WE SHARE 75 Pearl Street, Portland, ME 04101 | 207.773.5651 | MPMLaw.com A d v o c a t i n g f o r y o u We're all in this together Our lawyers are guided by our founding principle of putting people first. This means truly seeing you, listening to your needs, and doing everything we can to help you succeed in all aspects of life. When good things happen to enough people, including you, everybody wins. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P F O C U S Amanda Clapp of Newcastle uses water and screens to sort tiny seed oysters by size at Mook Sea Farm in Walpole. She is a hatchery technician.

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