Years ago, when Adam Campbell first moved to North Haven, he heard stories about folks like John Emerson and Foy Brown, who went down to the Damariscotta River to get alewives and brought them back across Penobscot Bay to try to jump-start a population of the anadromous or “sea-run” fish on the island. While those
Law firm to move into Portland waterfront
Property owners in the central waterfront zone in Portland are generally-and perhaps surprisingly-optimistic about plans to convert the giant Cumberland Cold Storage building on Merrill Wharf into office space for northern New England’s largest law firm. “The ripple effect will be huge,” predicts Charlie Poole, owner of neighboring Union Wharf and a well-regarded spokesman for
Nobody’s happy with Atlantic crab season
In the book Cod, published in 1997, author Mark Kurlansky wrote that with the collapse of the Atlantic Canada cod fishery, other species moved in. One was arctic cod that eat Atlantic cod eggs and larvae. “The other two,” Kurlansky wrote, “snow crab and shrimp, have been very profitable.” What a difference 13 years make.
Fishermen’s wives run waterfront sewing shop
Kathleen Stanley is a natural. Not a baseball player, or someone who can play piano by ear, but a Mt. Desert Island seamstress who started sewing at age four. “No one taught me,” she said. “My mother didn’t sew. I remember sewing with a treadle when I was five, six, seven years old.” Her grandmother,
Watch out for lines
With the summer boating season underway, lobstermen are dealing with the age-old problem of recreational boaters running over trap lines. Recreational boaters inadvertently sail or motor over trap lines and in so doing, wrap the line around the propeller or rudder. When that happens, despite sincere effort to free it, sometimes cutting the rope becomes
Response to “Drink Up”
To the Editor, I have been a supporter of the Island Institute for a number of years and have enjoyed reading your publications and learning of the issues facing the coastal islands of Maine. I have never felt the need to write a letter to the editor until the publication of the June 2010 “Working
Unregulated hagfish industry creates conflict and opportunity
Westport Island fisherman Jon Williams dedicates part of each year to go after hagfish, but that doesn’t mean he likes it. He finds reasons not to be on his boats when it’s time to haul up barrels of the slimy fish. “I’m glad it’s not my regular fishery,” Williams said. His crew shares the sentiment.
Drilling vessel to arrive in Rockland
According to a press release by Cianbro, Cianbro crews are preparing for a job that will be visible to thousands of Mainers who look out to sea in the Rockland area. On or about June 17th, the 750-foot drilling vessel Stena Forth will appear on the horizon, approximately a mile and a half off the
Cranberry Report: What are the chances?
39 years ago, when I was a college freshman, I was out on the town with my new friends. A few guys from Dartmouth came along and we chatted about the recent summer and where we had been. I said “Maine” to which one of the guys replied, “Where in Maine?” “Oh, Little Cranberry Island.
Field Notes: Fishing for community
A fisherman and an economist walk into the bar, sit down and… actually it was a swanky meeting room, but at least you are still reading. I had the opportunity to observe a fisherman and an economist volley back and forth for a few rounds over the definition of the community this past week. The