Each year, Islesboro Central School’s Creative Writing Contest is organized around a central theme, to be explored in the prose and poetry submitted by students. After this year’s theme – “truth” – had been announced, I searched for examples to make this abstract concept more real to students. They asked whether stretching or embellishing the
Island Artist-Author Wins Book Award
Ashley Bryan, author, artist, and illustrator, has been awarded the 2004 Coretta Scott King Award for his new book, Beautiful Blackbird. This colorful book is an adaptation of a Zambian folktale, in which Blackbird teaches the lesson that beauty is not external. The illustrations are deceptively simple cutouts that combine with the playful verses in
In Lobstering, Not All the Hazards Are at Sea
In the winter, even when the traps are out of the water and the boat is in the yard, a lobsterman’s work continues. Trap repair, buoy painting and line cleaning and splicing occupy much of a fisherman’s winter hours, and much of this work is conducted in the close confines of small workshops. Such places
Razor Clams Are a New Specialty for Irish Fishmongers
Among the small, slick piles of fresh fish was what looked like a stack of Cuban cigars bound by a thick rubber band and standing on end in a bed of crushed ice. The stack loomed conspicuously over an assortment of brooding Irish bivalves including mussels, scallops and clean, white clams. The stack was a
“Zero Tolerance” Rule: A Lapsed License is a Lost License
When the 1966 Federal Sustainable Fisheries Act identified Maine’s lobster stock as over-fished, the state was obliged to takes steps to rebuild stocks. Discussions among various concerned organizations produced two initiatives. The first (in 1997) divided the coast into zones and limit entry into the fishery by zone. The second (in place by 1999) was
Access: The Fish May Come Back, But the Fishermen May Not
The projected improvement in finfish landings over the coming years is predicted to bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the fishing ports involved, not only for the fishing boats themselves but also for the shoreside processors, freezer facilities, vessel support businesses, and fish dealers. But many historical participants, particularly fishermen based in Maine, could
Commissioner: “Close the Fishery”
“I’m here to deliver a message sterner and harsher than last year,” said George Lapointe, Commissioner of Department of Marine Resources (DMR), told the Sea Urchin Zone Council at its Feb. 12 meeting. “The best action is to close this fishery,” Lapointe said, having analyzed the season so far with input from scientists and harvesters.
Improved Markets, State Legislation May Offer Insurance Relief
Coastal and island property owners feeling the pinch of increased insurance premiums and inadequate access to insurance may be in for some relief. A number of proposals before the Maine legislature address challenges associated with finding adequate insurance coverage for Maine property owners. Market forces may help as well. “We are beginning to see a
UNH to Create Large Pelagic Fish Studies Center
The University of New Hampshire plans to develop a studies center to investigate large pelagic fishes. The center will build upon work done by Associate Research Professor Dr. Molly Lutcavage, who has become well known for tagging and tracking bluefin tuna. The new large pelagic research center will look at a number of species besides
A New Portland Play Looks Out From Shore
A three-year collaboration of Anita Stewart, Artistic Director of the Portland Stage Company and New York-based novelist Shelley Berc, teacher and playwright, has produced a play of special interest to coastal Mainers – a dramatic presentation of the role of women in today’s fishing industry. Berc, supported by a grant, came to Maine to conduct