Articles
Research Continues at Fox Islands Wind Despite Litigation
The three wind turbines on Vinalhaven are currently in the process of being retrofitted with noise-reducing serrations on each blade in an effort to mitigate the impact of the sound created by the turbines on nearby neighbors. This is the third time such technology has been used in the United States and the first on
Report hones in on Midcoast for offshore wind development
The University of Maine has narrowed in on the Midcoast as the most likely area for future offshore wind development in a 567-page report released on February 23. The report, which compiles economic, policy, electrical grid integration, wind and wave, bathymetric, soil, fisheries, and environmental research, has been in the works for six months and includes
Maine to solicit bids for offshore energy development
In response to recommendations made by the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force, Maine’s Public Utilities Commission will release a solicitation by September 1 for an offshore commercial wind farm. In April, the legislature passed a law implementing the recommendations of the task force (public law 2010, chapter 615), which directs the utilities commission to solicit
We are all in this together
Fishermen are no longer able to catch more fish to make more money. The only way for them to earn more, is for them to be paid more for their fish. New England’s groundfishermen are now fishing under the most sustainable management system yet devised. While this is a step forward in the effort to
Groundfishing under a new management system
Groundfishermen in Maine are fishing under a new management system, and no one is sure how the fish stocks, or the fishermen, are going to react. Under the new system, called “sectors” (see sidebar “What is a sector?”), fishermen can choose to opt into a sector with other like-minded fishermen in order to work together
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
More focus on networking at annual fishermen’s forum
Things are changing at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum this year. Not only has the schedule changed, condensing the bulk of events to the first Friday and Saturday in March, there will be changes to the content as well. The forum will be held March 4-6 at the Samoset Resort. After a difficult year across Maine’s