This article is made possible, in part, by funds from Maine Sea Grant and the Oak Foundation. Rumors of their arrival ripple along the docks and across the surface of bays and estuaries. Fishing boats head out to the offshore ledges and banks searching for herring. Enthusiasts of all ages head down to the wharf
From Castine to Washington, and back again
William J. Brennan taught for the first time at the Maine Maritime Academy. He served as the Sawyer Professor of Ocean Studies at the academy, from 1999 to 2002. He enjoyed the experience, being “on the giving as opposed to the receiving end-I spent a lot of time in higher education receiving an education, but
More action needed to protect herring
I’m a lifelong fisherman and Mainer and your recent story about the closing of the sardine cannery in Prospect Harbor, Maine has made me feel that I should add my thoughts (“Closure of last U.S. sardine cannery ends way of life in Prospect Harbor,” The Working Waterfront, April issue). It is well documented that it’s
Excess wind energy keeps islanders warm during pilot project
With three turbines now spinning on Vinalhaven, it is quickly becoming clear that exploration of energy use on the Fox Islands is not over. Fox Islands residents have recently launched their next project to look at how the power that is being created by the turbines can be used, not just to power light bulbs
Featured Island Car: 1977 Ford Pinto wagon
Island: Chebeague Island Vehicle: 1977 Ford Pinto wagon, mint green Owner: Jamie Calthorpe Mileage: 77,000 “She is definitely a classic and I feel honored to own her,” wrote Jamie Calthorpe, of Chebeague, about her Ford Pinto. It has a four-speed standard transmission, seats four and has vinyl bucket seats. “It has been an island vehicle
Portland considers changes to waterfront zoning
Finding the key to success for Portland’s working waterfront has challenged city officials and shorefront property owners for more than 20 years. Now they’re trying again, with a revised zoning statute that would relax the currently strict rules concerning allowable uses in the central waterfront zone between the Maine State Pier and the International Marine
Lobster certification still in review process
Tank tests: fishing gear research goes hi-tech
All eyes focus on the aqua glow of the tank wall. The eerie blue light adds to the drama as we wait for the trawl to settle to the bottom of the flume tank. The white net is framed at the leading edge by a stretch of grey ground-gear along the sweep-with rollers smaller than
Island Institute awards money to 13 farming and gardening projects
Spring arrived early, and island farmers and gardeners are anxious to dig in the earth. Over the past several years, there has been a resurgence of interest in home, school and community gardening, and a number of island farmers are making a living by growing food for their neighbors. The Island Institute is pleased to
Successful red tide monitoring program could lose funding
A state program that monitors red tide to allow for precise closures of shellfish areas is in danger of running out of funds. The biotoxin monitoring program, which was first instituted during the 2006 red tide season, allows for “surgical closures” during red tide events, allowing the state Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to be