PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A Maine research institute has received a boost from the federal government for a drive to increase access to local seafood.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s awarding more than $480,000 to Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland for the project. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree says the institute will match that amount with $125,000. She says the goal of GMRI’s project is to make quality and food safety improvements that improve the market demand for seafood caught by New England’s fishermen.

She added local business is especially important for food producers who are coping with the impact of trade hostilities.