It’s not unusual for Maine fishermen to seek a change of scenery during the long winter months. Some take the family and head to Disney World, some get parboiled on Myrtle Beach, while others take off to remote and exotic islands in the Caribbean. For their February getaway, Vinalhaven fishermen Steve Rosen and Jason Day
Early Start:Teenage fishermen learn skills in school
Five young businessmen will be graduating from Deer Isle-Stonington High School in June. They’re lobstermen. Fishing has run in their families for generations, all have been fishing since they were tadpoles, and, when you consider an average cost of a boat at $60,000, around 500 traps at $60 each, and a truck, rope and buoys,
Canada considers “traffic ticket” system for fisheries violations
Fishermen in Atlantic Canada are taking a hard look at a proposal by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan that would allow officers to issue tickets for certain minor offenses under the Fisheries Act and its regulations. Under Regan’s proposal, ticketing would be phased in over the next few years and the process would be
“Filled with Possibilities:”Sebastian Belle looks back at three years with the Maine Aquaculture Association
For Maine’s fishermen, spring is traditionally a time of optimism: traps and nets to be readied, boats to prep and launch, anticipation of perhaps a better year than last. It’s the same, says Sebastian Belle, director of the Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA), for Maine’s aquaculture operations, which are a growing part of the working waterfront.
Access:Fishermen’s joint venture succeeds
It’s been a good first year for the lobstermen of North End Co-op, whose members got together to protect their access to the Sheepscot River. In September, 2002, with help from the Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Waterfront Property Loan Program, the co-op bought property on the Sheepscot River on the north end of Westport Island. “We’re
Spruced-up Chebeague Inn opens for business
The porch sagged, rain dripped through the kitchen ceiling and the laundry room was in unsanitary proximity to the dish room. Spring water would flow through the basement bar, and the restaurant occasionally ran out of toast for breakfast. Furthermore, the whole place needed a whole lot of paint. Nevertheless, Martha Dumont, of Cumberland saw
Making your own fun can become a way of life
Ideally, growing up on an island can make young people comfortable and confident, able to express themselves in non-conformist and creative ways. One would be hard-pressed to find a more positive example of this than Nathan Lamont Oldham, born and raised on Islesboro, who recently graduated with honors from the University of Maine at Orono.
Island fire departments must deal with isolation and shortage of volunteers
In many ways, an island fire department is like a fire department in any other small community: limited funding, dependency on volunteers, lack of equipment. The major difference, and one that lies behind many of the challenges island departments face, is the isolation. Reinforcements are an ocean away, and there is no back up equipment.
The water in April didn’t feel much warmer than it had in March …
T.S. Elliott could have been living in Maine when he wrote, “April is the cruelest month…” The week of April 12 brought rain, wind and more rain. Weather forecasters said we would see sun and warmer temperatures by Friday, but on April 16, it was still 32 degrees and snowing. Not yet time for Dip
I Am A Teacher
When I was younger, I never thought to live on an island; in fact, I never thought to be a teacher. Yet here I am, living 15 miles offshore, with 56 kids of my own. The question is: what does it take to be an island teacher? I’m not completely sure yet, but I have