Articles
‘Topless’ shrimp nets reduce bycatch
A few years ago, regional scientists with New Hampshire Sea Grant created some innovative trawling gear designed to reduce groundfish bycatch. Studying the differences in swimming behavior of both fish and shrimp, they created a “topless” shrimp trawl that allows fish to escape easily. In shallow waters, the design works great, reports David Goethel, a
Robots sound ‘Thar she blows’
Timing is everything when it comes to managing areas in the Gulf of Maine where endangered North Atlantic right whales gather. The sooner the whales are spotted, the sooner NOAA officials can restrict fishing and shipping to protect them. On the flip side, the sooner it’s established that whales have left, the sooner ocean commerce
York prepares to protect Cliff Walk with legal action
YORK — Residents have sent a strong message to a pair of landowners who have blocked access to a historic seaside trail, voting 2,314-722 in May to establish a $50,000 legal fund to protect the town’s access to the Cliff Walk, a picturesque beach-to-beach trail that traverses the land of 44 waterfront property owners. In
Chebeague islanders reassess after ferry bill is withdrawn
CHEBEAGUE — This winter, Chebeague Transportation Company stakeholders thought they had found a promising way to raise funds for a new ferry. The private company recently applied for non-profit status and then began collaborating with Rep. Stephen Moriarty, D-Cumberland, on legislation that would have reorganized the ferry service as a public transit district. The goal,
College of the Atlantic divests of fossil fuels
BAR HARBOR — In March, College of the Atlantic completed the process of dropping fossil fuel investments from its endowment portfolio, according to school officials. The small school on Mount Desert Island, long known for its green focus, seemingly has become the first college or university in the country to end its investment in fossil
Washington Academy teacher inspires watershed steward
EAST MACHIAS — Averted environmental disasters rarely make headlines, but they show a community’s priorities. Recently, a pick-up truck rolled over near the Downeast Salmon Federation’s salmon hatchery, and the oil was leaking towards the river, said Dwayne Shaw, the federation’s executive director. Luckily, a volunteer firefighter knew the damage that oil could cause the
Portland’s working waterfront at a crossroads
PORTLAND — From his office on the city’s waterfront, Aaron Merriam, an IT infrastructure engineer, often ponders the health and future of the harbor. Having grown up among the fishing community in Bucksport, Merriam wants to see a vibrant working waterfront when he looks out over the harbor; instead, he sees vacant building space in
Midcoast public transportation can boost local economy, advocates say
MIDCOAST — There is a renewed push to study public transportation options in the Midcoast area, and it includes an online survey for area residents and visitors. In February, the Mid-Coast Planning Commission posted the online survey and publicized the year-long study. The survey most likely will be online until July. The goal is to
Camden school’s Murphy harnesses student power
ROCKPORT — At the end of a long school day in May, Margo Murphy’s classroom at Camden Hills Regional High School filled with students after the dismissal bell. They were freshmen eager to check the progress of their attempts at creating self-contained eco-systems, Murphy explained above the noise during a telephone interview. She believes in
Are ‘mega-crabs’ coming to Maine?
This summer, the movie Pacific Rim will show the perils of giant, plated monsters rising up from the depths of the ocean to attack humanity. A team of researchers at the University of North Carolina believes oyster beds might face a similar threat if current trends in climate change continue. In a study published in