Why does our local cold-water shrimp fishery undergo such huge ups and downs? Part of the variability in harvest from year to year is due to the shrimp’s life cycle. Pandalus borealis or northern shrimp are hermaphroditic: typically, they first mature as males at about 2 1/2 years of age, and then transform to females
Lobster industry turns to foreign workers
“Good people have full-time jobs,” Reynolds said. So six years ago, he began looking abroad for some of his workforce. He worked with an international hiring agency to recruit foreign students who held J-1 visas to work during school vacation months. This year, he employed six Serbs. Reynolds said it’s been an ideal solution. The
Rails to Trails: An economic engine
To demonstrate that the newly-complete Down East Sunrise Trail is an economic engine, a group of bicyclists set off for a week this fall. Taking off from Washington Junction (two miles east of Ellsworth) and stopping overnight at various B&Bs, cottages and inns; dining at area restaurants and even chartering a boat from Eastport to
Construction begins on new library for Swan’s Island
More than two years have passed since a fire destroyed the old Atlantic Schoolhouse, site of the Swan’s Island Library. In the early-morning hours on July 24, 2008, lightning struck the historic building starting the fire. By daylight, all that was left of the building and its contents was a pile of rubble and ashes.
Artist captures island with portraits of its people
Burke, an amiable, community-minded individual, answers his own challenge: “For me, painting the human face is like crawling through the flesh and bone of those I transpose onto the canvas.” Burke is quick to add that he does not paint to “make a person look beautiful” but to make a beautiful painting of a person.
Portland Fish Exchange grapples with decreased landings
The Portland Fish Exchange first opened its doors almost 25 years ago. At that time it was a state-of-the-art facility built to serve the multitude of fishing vessels in southern Maine. However, the past several years have been particularly hard on the fishing industry in Maine with changes in regulations, a dwindling fleet of vessels.
Don’t leave town
Here’s what it sounds like: “What? Are you going off again?“ Some, of good heart and shamelessly positive attitude, will explain that such an observant custom arises from an islander’s historic and legitimate need to know who is available in case of fire. With none but ourselves to hope for as first responders, island inhabitants
Portland waterfront owners enlisted to keep homeless safe
The man squinted into his cap and slowly counted the change inside. Then he picked up his bag and bed roll and made his way somewhere. While Portland’s waterfront has developed into a tourist destination, it is still filled with nooks and crannies where the homeless can gather away from the crowds. But these meeting
Objects in the Mirror: The Island Wave
Those who travel back and forth from an island to the mainland frequently often find themselves repeatedly experiencing “back-to-the-future” moments when you cannot remember which planet you are on. You might be driving down a country road on the mainland perhaps listening to a radio program or lost in thought about some how to deal
New technology connects island students
If you have ever wanted to track wolves with scientists in the Minnesota wilderness, explore the underwater world of clownfish, Irukandji jellyfish and hammerhead sharks in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, or consult with NASA experts at the Kennedy Space Center, but haven’t quite been able to set aside the money or time to do so,