2005 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Non-funded cooperative agreement between ARS and the University of Maine. Additional details of this research can be found in the report for the in-house project 1915-31000-002-00D, Cold Water Marine Finfish Genetic Improvement and Production. Both parties are striving to develop improved technologies to solve problems facing the sustainability of marine aquaculture and benefit U.S. producers and consumers. Mutual benefits to both research programs will be achieved through cooperative planning and execution of research activities that address state, regional and national priorities. Both groups have assigned staff members to assist in mutual research planning. Joint meetings were held to discuss resource contributions of personnel, land, equipment, facilities, and other items necessary to support collaborative research. Shared research infrastructure consisting of a pump house and water storage facility at the Franklin, ME location are still under construction, but should be completed by late fall 2005. A new 3-phase electrical power line was completed in the spring of 2005, and will provide power to both ARS and University of Maine facilities. A long-term, multiple-year, renewable lease was modified to detail operations and shared costs associated with water resources from the seawater pump house, storage tanks, and groundwater resources. Cooperative research involving ARS and University of Maine scientists will be discussed in collaboration with industry representatives at annual meetings and review sessions.