“Boats are ready to sail and plant workers are ready to go to work,” said Fish, Food and Allied Workers president Earle McCurdy on May 3 as a dispute over crab prices between fishermen and processors was settled at the last minute. The agreement was reached with Newfoundland’s major crab buyers, represented by the Association
DFO to public: Don’t buy poached lobsters
The Canadian federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, together with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, have announced a crackdown on lobster poachers in the Bay of Fundy – in large part by persuading the public not to buy poached lobsters being sold door to door. The campaign, a combination of strict enforcement and publicity utilizing
Cooke Aquaculture closes Machiasport processing plant
Cooke Aquaculture of St. George, New Brunswick, has announced the closing of its salmon processing plant in Machiasport. Earlier this year Cooke purchased the holdings of the troubled Atlantic Salmon of Maine from Fjord. Besides the Machiasport plant, Cooke took over several farm sits and two hatcheries. “We had to close the plant because there
COMMENTARYA Breakthrough in Understanding
Once, scientists and lobster harvesters were like the Hatfields and McCoys. They hardly talked to each other at all, and discussions quickly became heated. The same might have been said of lobstermen themselves. But change has come. The hallmark of the First Lobster Town Meeting held in Portland in April (WWF May ’04) was the
New galleries spice up island art scene
The midcoast art scene is booming. Galleries have sprung up everywhere, from downtown streets to unlikely outposts between towns. As more and more art seekers take a detour from Route 1 to visit the Fox Islands, island artists are benefiting. The tried-and-true galleries are experiencing increased foot traffic, and many new ones have opened as
Group tours Casco Bay island libraries
On May 13, about 25 island librarians and island library supporters embarked on a daylong tour of the libraries of Casco Bay. Organized by the Island Institute Senior Fellow Dana Leath, the day was intended as a way for island librarians to gather ideas, create connections and appreciate each other’s hard work. Librarians from Peaks,
Islesboro votes to secede from Waldo County, join Knox
At Islesboro’s most recent town meeting on April 24, residents of the island community voted 101-12 to pursue secession from Waldo County to join Knox County. The next step in the process will be for both a state senator and a member of the state House of Representatives to propose legislation authorizing the transfer of
Grow Your OwnOyster gardeners apply home-brew principles
For the past three months, groups of citizens in Damariscotta and Blue Hill have been learning more than they ever thought they would want to know about oyster aquaculture. Taught by Chris Davis, a teacher at University of Maine at Orono and co-owner of Pemaquid Oyster, they’ve covered topics including shellfish biology, shellfish culture and
Two Maine firms build recreational rowing shells
You’ve seen those classic rowing shells – Oxford students on the Thames, Harvard squads on the Charles. But now shells have migrated to the coast of Maine, evolving – along the way – into a fairly seaworthy craft a novice can handle. Leading the transition are two southern Maine companies located in hailing distance of
Islands Community Medical Center takes on new staff
The Islands Community Medical Center (ICMS) on Vinalhaven this month bid farewell to Dr. Rick Donahue after a ten-year tenure. The center plans to replace Dr. Donahue with two new staff members: a physician and a family nurse practitioner, reflecting an expanding role for ICMS in offering comprehensive on-island family-practice care. Lt. Commander Daniel Aronson