Shaping Tomorrow, Together: Gulf of Maine Research Institute Announces New Five-Year Strategic Plan
Plan focuses on four key initiatives to ensure thriving ecosystem, economy, and communities amid rapid change.
PORTLAND, Maine – June 30, 2025 – The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) announced the launch of its ambitious 2025-2030 strategic plan during its annual Leadership Reception late last week, bringing together the organization's closest partners, supporters, and leadership to celebrate 20 years of impact on Portland's working waterfront while sharing an ambitious plan for the future.
The new strategic plan centers on four transformative initiatives designed to help the Gulf of Maine region thrive amid rapid environmental and economic change: Adapting Fisheries & Seafood, Building Climate-Ready Communities, Developing the Blue Economy & Supporting Working Waterfronts, and Supporting Energy Solutions. As part of the planning process, GMRI leadership sought input from hundreds of the organization’s partners and community members. As a direct result of that feedback, the strategic plan is designed to enable GMRI to effectively address the greatest needs of those stakeholders: helping them to adapt to and address climate change, and supporting the economic revitalization of our rural and coastal communities.
"This strategic plan represents our best and boldest ideas to ensure our ecosystem, economy, and communities thrive long into the future,” said Glenn Prickett, GMRI's President and CEO.
The strategic plan launch coincided with GMRI's 20th anniversary celebration on Portland's working waterfront, highlighting the organization's deep roots in the community and commitment to collaboration.
"Over the last 20 years, we’ve built not just a research institute, but a model for science that leads to impact and innovation that is built on trust. There has never been a more important moment to invest in science and to help communities turn knowledge into action,” continued Prickett. “This plan is our blueprint for the future, and we’ll achieve these ambitious goals by continuing to do what's brought us success so far: working together."
Since opening its waterfront facility in 2005, GMRI has published groundbreaking research that informs the industries and communities that depend on the Gulf of Maine, supported educators and more than 170,000 Maine students through its science and data literacy programs, including its well-known LabVenture program, supported local harvesters and global seafood businesses, and worked directly with coastal communities on practical solutions to the many challenges they face.
The Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest-warming ocean regions on Earth, presenting both significant challenges and opportunities for leadership in ocean-climate solutions.
"As we implement our new strategic plan over the next five years, I'm confident that GMRI is going to deliver even greater impact to our communities and to the Gulf of Maine, by developing and delivering solutions to the most pressing ocean challenges of our time," said Denise DesChenes, GMRI's incoming Board Chair.
About the Gulf of Maine Research Institute: The Gulf of Maine Research Institute develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. Located in Portland, ME, the institute is dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.gmri.org.
