Articles
Planning to fish is difficult, but necessary
If you ask a lobsterman if he works from a business plan, the response might be something like, “I’m trying to get through next week,” or “I take it year by year.” Some will say that they used to have one, but they stopped when the timing of the shed became so unpredictable. Uncertainty created
Fish or go to college? For some islanders, both
Calm waters carried me to Frenchboro at the end of October. A Nor’easter had just blown through, leaving behind trees bereft of leaves, and a pent up demand among island fishermen to get out and haul through their gear. I made a point of spending some time catching up with Cody on the way to
Energy Vikings and a Maine island delegation
I traveled to Samsø Island in Denmark to witness the Fund for Maine’s Islands partnership between the Island Institute and College of the Atlantic take flight. But so much more happened, as I became part of a U.S. delegation discussing issues facing island communities around the world. The delegation included COA students and faculty, Island
Seafood processing, and the past and future workforce
I’ve noticed that in Maine we tend to look backward in order to identify our future economy. We work hard to create new ways to finance the future of the fishing industry—more processing, value-added products, more efficient boats, all atop constantly evolving conservation-oriented management practices. At some level, it just makes sense. We love our
Islands produce a social surplus
A boat yard doesn’t clean out its biggest shed for just anyone. Yet that is exactly what the folks at Chebeague Island Boatyard agreed to do at the request of a few Chebeague residents for what turned out to be an incredible day at the Sustain ME conference this past month. For a number of
The ‘dream’ partnership created ambitious goal
This month the College of the Atlantic and Island Institute are launching the Fund for Maine’s Islands, a joint effort that will focus our collective efforts on working with island leaders to address the greatest threats to island community sustainability. This partnership demonstrates a growing trend for non-profits and philanthropists alike. Did you know that
Balancing act: year-round businesses and summer work
The early morning ferries for the near-shore islands are packed. Dozens of commuters carrying lunch buckets are heading out to the islands to work. While walking down the ramp onto the ferry you might hear a common refrain from visitors: “Why don’t island businesses hire on the island?” Within the answer lies a longstanding dilemma
Community engagement is key to controlling energy future
Think of those things that matter most to a community: quality education, healthcare, emergency services, places of worship, land and water management, a healthy ocean, history, a library, food, a gathering place”¦ We want communities where we can live, work and educate our children. Each of these essential aspects of a community has advocates. The
Iron sharpening iron–island entrepreneurs hone their plans
From Point Lookout in Northport, I’m gazing out at the islands of Penobscot Bay. On this cold, but sundrenched morning in March, my imagination and hopes for the future of the Maine coast are soaring. Today, 17 island leaders from eight islands graduated from the Island Sustainability through Leadership and Entrepreneurship program (ISLE). Over the
Uneven development: lobster landings giveth, taketh
The annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum was packed this year. For the first time in a long time, the Samoset Resort’s 178 guest rooms were sold out. It was as if fishermen, state agency folks and non-profit staff staged a reenactment of the green crab plague facing the lobster industry. The Rockport Conference Room was similarly