The Working Waterfront newspaper reports on the people and forces that shape Maine’s coastal and island communities. As publisher, Island Institute’s premise is that the cultural, environmental, and community assets here are rare and valuable, and are worth fighting for.
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September 17

For right whale protection—Is technology the future of lobster fishing?

Acoustic buoy releases and tracking software: These are high-tech options under consideration as ways to eliminate the potential for interaction between the lobster fishery and the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Ideas include raising traps from the sea floor by means of acoustically signaled lifting mechanisms, rather than hauling by vertical ropes that stretch from the floor to surface buoys.…
Laurie Schreiber
September 17

UMaine announces partners on floating wind project

PRIVATE FIRMS JOIN IN TECHNOLOGY TEST OFF MONHEGAN ISLAND
The University of Maine will collaborate with New England Aqua Ventus, LLC (NEAV), a joint venture between Diamond Offshore Wind, a subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Corporation, and RWE Renewables, the…
September 17

Readers react to Cowslip photo

In the August issue, we ran a photo of the U.S. Coast Guard vessel Cowslip calling at Monhegan Island. Reader Dick de Grasse of Islesboro writes: “Your photo of the Cowslip brought back Coast Guard memories.…
September 17

Tourism is a fragile pillar of island economy

PANDEMIC IN BALI HAS SENT YOUNG PEOPLE BACK TO THE FARM
It turns out that the Maine coast and Bali have something major in common. We each depend on tourism as a primary source of income, and economically the pandemic has…
September 17

Little island leaps lead to bigger steps

ISLAND FELLOW LEAVES ONE ISLAND FOR ANOTHER
From wharf to boat, boat to wharf, rinse, recycle, and repeat. Each island trip requires this momentary leap of faith. Trusting in that short span of wood, metal, or (occasionally)…
Dan Debord
September 17

An affectionate history of Maine

EARL BRECHLIN OFFERS THE WILD, WEIRD AND WONDERFUL IN NEW GUIDE
However dimmed, deferred, or deleted by the coronavirus, Maine’s bicentennial marches on. The milestone is providing an opportunity to claim pride and/or acknowledge failings in our history, to draw lessons…
Carl Little
September 17

Pontificating on the wonders of punctuation

THE SEMICOLON’S CRITICAL ROLE IN COMMUNICATING INTENT
One criterion, revealed to me during an adult writing class, that must be present to justify the use of the semicolon is the need for a complete thought on either side…
Phil Crossman
September 17

Climate council work is narrowing focus

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT IS NOW AVAILABLE
In a world where every king tide inundates parking lots and building basements, where great white sharks can be found off the rocky shores of the Maine coast, and where…
Kate Tagai
Elements coffee shop Biddeford
September 17

Strengthening Maine’s small business backbone

ISLAND INSTITUTE RESPONDS TO HELP OWNERS STAY AFLOAT THROUGH VIRUS
How often have we at the Island Institute said—like many others throughout Maine—that small business is the backbone of the state. That became clearer than ever in March of this…
Craig Olson
September 16

Unearthing New England’s role in the slave trade

ONE WOMAN’S DISCOVERY OF A GRAVESTONE LED TO HISTORY PROJECT
The happenstance discovery of a gravestone in her hometown of Brewster, Mass., led Dr. Meadow Dibble to launch a public history initiative devoted to researching and reckoning with New England’s…
Cortney Simmons

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.

WATCH ALL ISLAND POSTCARDS

 

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