Category: Blog

In September of this year, eastern Maine was closed to clam and mussel harvesting. The cause? Not our familiar red tide, but a different biotoxin, domoic acid. It accumulates in filter-feeding shellfish during a bloom of specific algae species. The bloom in eastern Maine is now dissipating, but the clam and mussel fishery hasn’t fully reopened.

Many of our aquaculture business development participants have already started their farms and we project that the economic impact of this work will have an $8.5 million effect on Maine’s coast over the next five years.

Island residents strive to provide better internet for businesses and communities

Are you frustrated when trying to run a customer’s credit card? Can’t provide WiFi? Are you prevented from working where you want to live because of poor internet service? Struggling to market your products to customers beyond your neighborhood?

It is becoming clear to me that entrepreneurs have a special ability to tackle important community issues with an eye toward innovative solutions.

Island and coastal business owners have often told us that they would like to make their businesses more efficient through the use of digital tools like QuickBooks and social media. As a result, we teamed up with Axiom Education and Training Center (AETC) to deliver digital workshops on islands, to support businesses on their own turf.

I’ve been told that Long Islanders are notoriously frugal, and some of that must have rubbed off on me because I decided that instead of paying for freight service, I would just carry the sizeable truck tire on board with me.

After months and months of careful research I was on a mission—to track down some of the oldest apple trees on Great Cranberry and capture their essence.

Kendra Chubbuck of Shore Shop Gifts on Isle au Haut is an entrepreneur who knows the value that conserved lands can bring to local businesses. On the doorstep of a beautiful section of Acadia National Park, her store focuses on providing high-quality, Maine-made products to the varied tourists that come through the island. The following interview gives insight into her winning strategy.

The Island Institute, in partnership with the Chebeague Community Forum, is pleased to announce that two great Maine companies, Lobster Unlimited and Herbal Revolution, will be receiving $3000 each as part of their participation in the preliminary round of the Greenlight Maine competition.

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?