Articles
Legislature to study cruise ship pollution
The Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee heard two bills regarding cruise ship pollution in March. The topic is relatively new for the committee, and members wanted input from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Rep. Herb Adams’s (D-Portland) bill, LD 1271, was changed into a resolve directing the DEP to study the issues in two separate
Urchin harvesters argue against reductions
Determined to hold on to their fishing days in the urchin season, draggers from the eastern end of Zone 2 turned out in full force at April’s Zone 2 Urchin Summit and at the Sea Urchin Zone Council (SUZC) to argue down a 30 percent reduction in landings for their zone. More than a month
Maine-connected Coast Guard vessels serve in Iraq War
On March 28 the Coast Guard cutter WRANGELL escorted the first commercially transported humanitarian aid shipment into the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. The 110-foot WRANGELL is based in Portland. This shipment, aboard the Motor Vessel MANAR, consisted of 700 tons of food, water, first aid and vehicles. M/V MANAR was supplied and coordinated by
Affordable housing for cats
Ptld.Condo Wtrfrnt w/View; low rent, free food. If you can read this, don’t bother applying. It’s not meant for humans. Down on Portland’s Union and Widgery wharves, Paul and Kim Fischer take care of their feline neighbors. They’ve set up insulated shelters, which they call condos. They feed the cats, and know which flavors and
Urchins: Different conditions could mean different rules
Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner George Lapointe has asked for severe cutbacks in sea urchin landings for the 2003-2004 season. Urchin harvesters heard the grim news at the Urchin Session March 1 at the Fishermen’s Forum in Rockland. Lapointe is looking for a 50 percent reduction in landings for Zone 1 (West Penobscot Bay
Etnier named Deputy Commissioner of DMR
David Etnier of Harpswell was named Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR). George Lapointe, DMR Commissioner, made the announcement on Feb. 28 at the Fishermen’s Forum in Rockland. As DMR’s chief liaison to the Maine Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee, Etnier’s experience in Maine politics will serve him well. A Democrat, Etnier represented
Penn Estabrook, Deputy DMR Commissioner, retires
Puckishly selecting Valentine’s Day as his last day on the job as Deputy Commissioner, Penn Estabrook completed 23 years of service in the Department of Marine Resources (DMR). Recruited by then DMR Commissioner Spencer Apollonio in 1980, Estabrook came to Maine from South Carolina. In 1985 Apollonio tapped him to be Deputy Commissioner. As Deputy
Factors in Japan, Russia slow Maine’s urchin business
After the February council meeting harvesters talked about demand, price and weather – other key factors in the health of the industry. Japan’s weak economy and the world-wide availability of urchins have helped keep the price down. Jim Wadsworth, once a buyer primarily of whole urchins, said he is buying a greater percentage of urchins
Sea urchin news isn’t good
More than 35 sea urchin harvesters, most from Washington County, crowded the Orland Town Hall for a Feb. 13 meeting of the Sea Urchin Zone Council (SUZC) to protect their interests, amid rumors about a possible closure of the fishery in the 2003-2004 season in both Zone 1 and Zone 2. Zone run runs from
Shortfall brings cuts in DMR budget
For the Department of Marine Resources (DMR), Maine’s $1.1 billion revenue shortfall translates into a $1.9 million cut in the department’s budget for 2003-2004. According to DMR Commis-sioner George Lapointe, a cutback from $10.9 million to $9 million means that programs paid for out of the general fund – the Marine Patrol, and public health