ORONO— The University of Maine is calling attention to the blue economy conversation and its goal of providing global marine leadership with a YouTube video promoting the safe handling and consumption of lobster. The featured University of Maine Cooperative Extension video has helped more than 1.8 million viewers safely boil, steam, grill and enjoy Maine’s most famous seafood.

 

UMaine has released a video that features extension professor and food safety specialist Jason Bolton, one of the original stars of the “Lobster Cooking and Eating” video. This vintage, VHS-style video offers viewers a chance to win free Maine lobster for joining the blue economy conversation. 

 

“Online clout has never been a goal of mine, but as an educator, I am happy to help people safely prepare and enjoy lobster,” said Bolton. “The blue economy is an important focus of conversation at UMaine and taking this video viral, in a good way, is a great way to invite people to take part.”

UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy welcomed more than 100 blue economy researchers, policymakers and stakeholders to a virtual discussion last week, hosted by the UMaine MARINE Initiative, which strives to make Maine a global leader as a marine state. The event highlighted the impact of UMaine’s 110 marine-oriented researchers, contributions to more than $75 million in global research projects, and 32% enrollment growth in the UMaine School of Marine Sciences.  

If you would like to participate, the free lobster contest includes a Facebook and Instagram promotion providing a chance to win free Maine lobster shipped anywhere in the United States. Students at the University of Maine and its coastal campus, the University of Maine at Machias, can win a second prize, enjoying a lobster dinner with Bolton in Orono. Contest rules can be found here.