February 2021 Newsletter

President’s Letter 

With a new year comes new beginnings. I feel blessed to be the President of GOMMEA at this bizarre time. I am, like so many of us, overwhelmed with day-to-day details as well as with the conversations that are happening on a societal level. Somewhere in between those extremes, my commitment to GOMMEA serves to illuminate the support, inspiration, and hope that this network provides for me. Our volunteer board has pulled together a newsletter that is informative, eye-catching, supportive, and inspiring – kind of like our popular Ocean Sunfish Paper Wreath Activity that nearly went viral on social media in December (reaching over 8,500 people!). 

Highlights include follow ups from Underwater in the Gulf of Maine with Andy Martinez, our member highlight, and upcoming events. There is so much natural beauty in our region and so much wonderful work being done – we hope you find this newsletter an enriching part of your day! Please reach out to any of us with stories, events, or connections that you’d like to share with our GOMMEA community.

Kindest regards and best for you and yours in 2021.

Deb Debiegun

Wildlife Photography in the Gulf of Maine Watershed

By: Ron Watson
A wildlife photographer’s paradise. That is how I would categorize the Gulf of Maine (GOM) watershed. This nutrient rich 69,000 sq. mile area, historically has been considered to be one of the most biodiverse and productive habitats in the Atlantic…Keep Reading

👉 WIldlife Photography in the Gulf of Maine Watershed

Tips for Photography Underwater

By: Andy Martinez

Read Andy’s favorite tips for underwater photography, along with some great places to photograph marine life underwater in the Gulf of Maine.

👉 Tips for Photography Underwater

Creature Feature: Lumpfish!
Applications for Sustainable Practices in Aquaculture

By: Mike Doherty

Lumpfish, Cyclopterus americanus, are a unique and interesting fish found here in the north Atlantic. While it is not exactly sought after for its meat, lumpfish have recently entered the spotlight in the aquaculture industry…Keep Reading

👉 Creature Feature: Lumpfish

Business Member Spotlight: Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean

By: Deb Debiegun

The Rozalia Project reaches youth at ports visited by SV American Promise while educators, reporters, and artists on board document marine debris collection efforts of crew and student groups as well. Students are encouraged to reflect on marine debris that they have seen and foster their wildest ideas for solutions. By fostering the engineering process and shining a spotlight on the problem of marine debris, the Rozalia Project gives hope that our youth will come up with solutions for tomorrow.

Executive Director Ashley Sullivan writes that “Marine debris is a problem that affects coastal communities first and each of us has the power to have positive impact through our behaviors. The Rozalia Project seeks opportunities to work with the future change makers of tomorrow, educators and organizations throughout the Gulf of Maine to share our knowledge, our data and engage learners to work on solutions for healthier oceans. Please reach out to us to learn more about our current projects, we love to talk all things ocean!” 

👉 Rozalia Project Web Site
👉 Become a Business Member

Events

Members, submit your events here

February 1-March 31: Recycle Regatta, presented by Educational Passages, New England Science and Sailing and the North American Marine Environment Protection Association. More info

February 11, 6:00 PM: Virtual Ocean Trivia, presented by Seacoast Science Center. More info

February 25, 6:00 PM: Virtual Ocean Trivia, presented by Seacoast Science Center. More info

February 25: 6:30 PM: Marine Debris in the Gulf of Maine: Virtual Evening Program, presented by Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. More info

March 11, 6:00 PM: Virtual Ocean Trivia, presented by Seacoast Science Center. More info

March 25, 4:00-5:30 PM: Teach About Microplastics! Workshop, offered by Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. More info

March 25, 6:00 PM: Virtual Ocean Trivia, presented by Seacoast Science Center. More info

March 25: 6:30 PM: Action for the Ocean: Virtual Evening Program, presented by Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. More info

Also be sure to check out the NMEA Ocean at Home Calendar – Listing of virtual and scheduled events from around the country related to marine or aquatic sciences. Click here if you have an event you’d like us to share in our next newsletter.

Connect With Us

  • Consider joining the board – Each year at our annual meeting, we vote on new board members. Board members are responsible for attending regular meetings (currently monthly), steering GOMMEA’s programs and providing financial and strategic oversight. You must be a current GOMMEA member to join the board. We are also looking for a new Treasurer. For more information on board membership, email us!
  • Visit www.gommea.org for up to date links and resources
  • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
  • Questions? Email info@gommea.org