Meet Alicia

 

Alicia Gaiero – Founder & Captain
Alicia is the founder of Nauti Sisters Sea Farm and the oldest of three sisters who grew up along the rugged coast of Belfast, Maine. Her journey to aquaculture began with a life-altering accident at age 14, when she was struck by a motorcycle while riding her bike. The traumatic brain injury and nerve damage she sustained required years of recovery and reshaped her outlook on life. Through resilience, grit, and a never-quit mindset, Alicia went on to become a competitive field hockey player and later an unlikely collegiate ski racer—proving that unconventional paths often lead to the best places.

While studying Environmental Policy and Planning at the University of Maine at Farmington, Alicia discovered aquaculture through two internships that sparked a new vision for her future. During college, she also launched her first business, Gnarly Neckies, making ski gear and eventually face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as she was preparing for grad school, she took a leap of faith, declined a fellowship, and put a deposit down on her first batch of oyster equipment. In 2020, Nauti Sisters Sea Farm was born.

What started with a few cages and a clever name has since grown into a thriving farm and charter tour business run by sisters, friends, and a whole lot of heart. Alicia is a USCG-licensed captain, and her favorite days are spent skiing in the winter, boating in the summer, and sharing the magic of Maine’s working waterfront with others.

Alicia is also deeply involved in shaping Maine’s aquaculture future. She serves on the board of directors for both the Maine Aquaculture Association and the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, and is a member of the Town of Yarmouth Harbor & Waterfront Committee. In 2023, she was honored as one of MaineBiz’s 40 Under 40—a recognition of her leadership and entrepreneurial drive in the working waterfront economy.

Outside of the farm, Alicia is an avid traveler with a love for international adventures. She dreams of circling the globe and is currently working toward becoming more fluent in Spanish—always chasing new experiences, conversations, and coastlines.