BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 4, 2026
Federal science funding supports conservation of valuable ecosystems in Wells, aids ground fishermen in Portland in managing stocks, helps an aquaculture farm in Brunswick reduce pollution, and gives towns like Machias information to plan for storms and flooding. Those activities — and countless others — support jobs, local businesses, and economic stability across the state. In Maine, fisheries, aquaculture, marine technology, tourism, recreation, and coastal planning all rely on consistent, authoritative data, applied research, and a skilled workforce. The president’s budget proposal put forward significant reductions for key federal science agencies. After months of negotiation, Congress recently passed bipartisan legislation that maintains funding for these science agencies for the remainder of this fiscal year. Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Chellie Pingree, through their leadership roles on the Senate and House appropriations committees, helped ensure that federal science funding continues. ~ Deborah Bronk, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, and many others