a Maine oyster farm built by sisters – come meet the crew
Meet the
Nauti Sisters
Award-winning oyster farm tours, sunset cruises, and fresh-from-the-bay oyster sampling
The Women behind the wheel
Nauti Sisters Sea Farm was built by three sisters from the coast of Belfast, Maine — with salt water in their veins, grit in their bones, and a shared belief that the working waterfront is worth fighting for.
What started in 2020 with a handful of oyster cages and a leap of faith has grown into an award-winning women-owned Maine oyster farm and ecotourism business that has been featured in the New York Times, National Geographic Traveller, NPR’s Morning Edition, and beyond. Behind every tour, every harvest, and every freshly shucked Nauti Sisters oyster is this team — hands-on, heartfelt, and powered by a mission to make aquaculture more accessible, exciting, and empowering for the next generation.
Captain Alicia Gaiero
Founder | USCG-Licensed Captain | MaineBiz 40 Under 40
Alicia Gaiero is the founder of Nauti Sisters Sea Farm. She is 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. She was struck by a motorcycle while riding her bike. The traumatic brain injury and nerve damage she sustained required years of recovery. Through resilience and a never-quit mindset, she became a competitive field hockey player and an unlikely collegiate ski racer.
At the University of Maine at Farmington, she studied Environmental Policy and Planning. Two aquaculture internships sparked a new vision for her future. Graduate school was lined up. A fellowship was on the table. She turned both down, put a deposit on oyster equipment, and in 2020, Nauti Sisters Sea Farm was born.
Alicia is a USCG-licensed captain. She serves on the board of directors for the Maine Aquaculture Association and the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center. In 2023 she was honored as a MaineBiz 40 Under 40 honoree for her leadership in Maine’s working waterfront economy.
Alicia is an avid traveler with a love for international adventures. She dreams of circling the globe. She is currently working toward Spanish fluency — always chasing new experiences, conversations, and coastlines.
Captain Amy Gaiero
Farm Manager | USCG-Licensed Captain | Big Ten Champion
Amy Gaiero is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain. She is the middle sister of the Gaiero girls. Amy graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Sustainability Science. There she was a standout Division I athlete. She earned a Big Ten Championship and reached the NCAA Elite Eight with the Hawkeyes’ field hockey team.
Her path back to Maine wasn’t linear. She interned on a Midcoast Maine oyster farm before her senior year and swore she wouldn’t return. She’s now entering her third summer as farm manager and captain. Maine has a way of pulling people back.
Amy manages the farm through its daily rhythms. She leads guests through the oyster cultivation process and keeps the operation running with energy and precision. She is the organizational backbone of the business.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys skiing, boating, traveling, and exploring Maine’s food scene. She believes the best experiences happen when you’re outside, a little salty, and fully present.
Chelsea Gaiero
Crew | Studying Marine Sciences at Northeastern university |
Chelsea Gaiero is the youngest of the Nauti Sisters. She was raised in Belfast, Maine, surrounded by maritime culture and a thriving working waterfront. She began exploring Penobscot Bay at 15. That connection to the ocean has only grown since. From sorting oyster seed to hauling gear in freezing temperatures, she brings grit and an unwavering work ethic to the farm. She has spent summers lobstering and winters cultivating mussels on icy barges.
Chelsea is a graduate of Kents Hill School. She was a three-sport varsity athlete, a National Honor Society member, and a student leader. She is currently pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering with a Marine Sciences minor at Northeastern University. As a Global Scholar she has studied in Oakland and London.
In 2024 she was named 2nd Delegate in the Maine Lobster Festival Delegate Competition. She advocated for Maine’s lobster industry and inspired others to invest in the working waterfront. She is also pursuing her captain’s license.
When she’s not working or studying, Chelsea is skiing, hiking New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers, thrifting, or playing on Northeastern’s Club Field Hockey team.
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