Downeast Institute

Downeast Institute is a non-profit marine research institute, education center, and shellfish research and production hatchery. Serving as the Marine Science Field Station of the University of Maine at Machias, the institute is located on Great Wass island in the town of Beals, making it the easternmost marine research facility in the United States.

Founded in 1987, Downeast Institute aims at generating new knowledge of the marine ecosystem. With a focus on marine science, the institute provides exceptional capacity for marine scientists and their teams with a rural coldwater location and state-of-the-art venue. The facilities include an ocean acidification laboratory and deep water access, catering to research requirements.

The institute contributes to enriching the education of youth, university students, and the visiting public through ongoing science education programming and experiential classroom. Furthermore, Downeast Institute plays a vital role in culturing commercially important shellfish seed, which in turn restores and creates economic opportunities for fishermen, aquaculturists, and entrepreneurs throughout coastal Maine and beyond.

The most recent investment was a $149.82K grant invested on 09 February 2023, with the Maine Community Foundation as the investor, underlining the continued support for the institute's initiatives. Headquartered in the United States, Downeast Institute continues to play a pivotal role in advancing marine research and supporting coastal communities.