Aquaculture questions? Look here for answers

Which species of shellfish will grow in the waters near me?
What do I need to be concerned about if I want to grow mussels?
How should I be thinking about my business if I am going to start growing oysters?
What does aquaculture gear look like?
Where do I go for more information or resources about starting an aquaculture business in Maine?

Community Broadband Working Groups Highlight Island Strengths

Slow, unreliable broadband is a problem for all of Maine’s unbridged islands. Since the launch of the Island Institute broadband connectivity project a year ago, I’ve learned that while the 15 islands face many of the same challenges, they each bring their unique approach to solving these problems. Their progress bringing faster internet to their communities has been astoundingly thoughtful and quick.

Baptism by Bilge Pump

Joanne’s Angels had been plagued with a never ending slew of mishaps which forced Zach Lunt to pull his boat out for almost three months. Those three months without a boat in the water meant no income for him and his stern man while having to wrestle with a heap of unplanned expenses. This is a part of being a captain of a lobster boat that many don’t think about; I certainly didn’t until I saw the process unfold in front of me.

Getting lobster a seat at the table

The lobster: one of the most iconic creatures in Maine. Mainers and tourists alike enjoy this tasty crustacean, but many are unaware of the changing conditions and pressures that face lobstermen out on the water every day. With new ocean development, increased shipping and recreational traffic, and changing ecosystems, there are many things lobstermen have to consider nowadays. 

Students light the way for Islesboro School LED retrofit

A student-led group at Islesboro Central School (ICS) is working to implement an inspiring energy project. In partnership with the Islesboro Energy Team (IET) and supported by a grant from the Island Institute’s Community Energy Action Team (CEAT) program, the students have been investigating the school’s electricity use since March 2016. As you can see in Finn’s quote above, they are motivated by concerns over the climate, a desire to find improved solutions for their school, and to reduce waste. The students calculated that the school spends an average of $3,425 each year on lighting alone.

Maine’s congresspeople get first look at New England’s upcoming ocean plan

I joined other ocean stakeholders from New England, and travelled to Washington D.C. this week. We were there to meet with congressional delegation about the upcoming release of the Nation’s first regional ocean plan under the National Ocean Policy.

The National Ocean Policy, established by Presidential Executive Order in 2010, called for the formation of nine regional planning bodies to better manage our oceans and coasts. Ocean planning is a way to make better, more efficient decisions about different ocean uses such as fishing, offshore energy and recreation as well as accounting for environmental changes and the health of the ocean and its creatures.