Gulf of Maine, Inc. | Est. 2000

Our History

 
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Tim and Amy Sheehan met at 3 Dollar Dewey’s in Portland on New Year’s Eve many moons ago.  Tim, an Aroostook / UMO boy was in town on a student teaching gig in Yarmouth at the time.  Amy grew up in Cumberland, graduated from Greely HS and had recently returned to the area from Northeastern University in Boston.  The Sheehan’s started Gulf of Maine, Inc. after settling in the Washington County town of Pembroke where they could live by the sea, paddle the waters, and explore the unsettled shores of Cobscook Bay.  

The company has taken various iterations over the years from architectural salvage, to Christmas wreaths, to outfitter/ecotours, to scientific specimen supply and their growing seafood /shellfish business.  20 years later and with 4 amazing children growing and working alongside their parents the couple are now quite pleased and proud with the fruits of their labor.  The Sheehans reside in Pembroke on a wonderful old saltwater farm looking out over the tidal waters of Cobscook Bay.

About Us

Gulf of Maine, Inc. is a trusted supplier of high-quality marine resources, specializing in freshly harvested seaweeds, bait, marine specimens, and natural coastal materials. Founded in 2000 by marine biologist Tidepool Tim, our company serves scientists, educators, artists, and collectors by providing wild harvested materials straight from the Gulf of Maine.

Our Mission

We connect people with the ocean through our expertise and hands-on experience. Whether supplying biological specimens for research, nutrient-rich seaweeds for culinary and wellness purposes, or unique coastal materials for creative projects, we bridge the gap between the natural world and those who study, appreciate, and utilize its resources.

Core Offerings

    • Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus)

    • Kelp, Rockweed, and other edible seaweeds

    • Available fresh, sun-dried, or rinsed and prepped for culinary, cosmetic, or educational use

    • Starfish, shellfish, periwinkles, green crabs, and other intertidal invertebrates

    • Used for labs, classrooms, and aquariums

  • Locally sourced bloodworms, sandworms, green crabs, and other popular baits

    • Marine life kits for homeschoolers, teachers, and science programs

    • Includes a variety of curated specimens

    • Shells, mud, seaweed blends etc

    • Custom requests for sea life or materials

What Sets us Apart

  1. Founder-Led Collection: Tim and local fishermen personally gather specimens using traditional, low-impact methods.

  1. Deep Local Knowledge: Decades of field experience on Maine’s shores and intertidal zones.

  2. Flexible Fulfillment: Ships direct to customers across the U.S. — from Portland to Pembroke.

  3. Direct Communication: No corporate runaround — every inquiry is handled by someone who’s actually been in the tidepools.

Who We Serve

  • Scientists

  • Museums

  • Educators

  • Creatives

  • Artists

  • Home Schoolers

  • Magazines

  • Interior Designers

  • Fishermen & Women

How We Work

  • Step 1

    Customer places an order!

    Make It

  • Step 2

    Sea life is collected to order, by hand—either the day of shipping or the day before. We do not use holding tanks.

    Make It

  • Step 3

    Tim carefully packages sea life and ships using UPS express shipping. This price is reflected in our pricing.

    Make It