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September 8
A sober measure of ocean resilience
‘Blue’ economic sector is small, but impacts are large
When we talk about ocean resilience, we are talking about capacity to heal and sustain ocean systems over time when interrupted by natural events such as extreme weather, flooding, and earthquakes. The challenge is the intrusion of human activities such as nearshore development, agricultural run-off, industrial pollution, filling and dredging, and port construction—all of which disturb the natural order and…
September 8
Revisiting Isaac’s Storm
Account of deadly Texas hurricane is a warning
Isaac’s Storm: A man, a time, and the deadliest hurricane in history By Erik Larson Now that nearly everyone with a three-digit IQ has come to realize that “denial” is…
September 2
Islesboro grad immersed in Polynesian culture
Traditional navigational skills taught and absorbed at sea
In September 2020, I left Islesboro for a gap year on the island where I grew up, Oʻahu, in Hawaii. Having a whole year to be back home was incredible,…
September 1
Homegrown eels
American Unagi will raise elvers to market size
Story and photos by Leslie Bowman Maine’s most lucrative fishery by the pound is its spring elver run, and as such, it seemed an obvious candidate for aquaculture. In Asia…
August 30
MDI lab gaining ground in tissue regeneration
Salamander, mouse are playing role in research
Many salamanders can readily regenerate a lost limb, but adult mammals, including humans, cannot. Why this is the case is a scientific mystery that has fascinated observers of the natural…
August 30
Making sense of Maine ‘talking circles’
Natives, European descendants gathered in 1980s, ‘90s
The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations By Shirley N. Hager and Mawopiyane, University of Toronto Press I confess to being skeptical when I opened The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations, a book…
August 30
Progress through personal connection
Relationships are key to science and fishery work
Reflections is written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront.…
August 30
Lobster tour operators say demand is strong
Carrying passengers means additional revenue source
PHOTOS BY KELLI PARK How well is Ethan DeBery doing with lobster boat charters? So well, that he has advice for his colleagues. “People have asked me, ‘Why don’t half…
August 30
Phil, aquaculture, and electric vehicles
Readers weigh in on our stories
Priceless Phil To the editor: Being a long-time admirer of Phil Crossman’s, I almost croaked with surprise and, ultimately, uproarious laughter at reading his Observer column in the July issue…
August 30
Leaving gas vehicles in the rear-view mirror
Electric vehicles will dominate market soon
Until last winter, the transition from good-old gasoline cars to cutting-edge electric vehicles (EVs) felt like a distant, probably leisurely affair. To many in Maine, it still does. And why…
Island Postcards
EPISODE 10: Keep the Light Shining
Two ambitious young women swam around the entire Island of Isle au Haut during the summer of 2019 to raise money for crucial renovations to the lighthouse.
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