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March 15
House Island’s history: Fort, immigrants, bootleggers
Changes on ‘Ellis Island of the North’ in Portland Harbor
House Island in Portland Harbor is, and has been, many things: an early European fish station, site of an early 19th century fort, a quarantine facility in the early 20th century. Today, developers are moving toward using the southwestern portion of the 24-acre island for a luxurious camping experience. The business, operating as Fortland, won a “certificate of appropriateness” from…
March 15
MDI’s affordable housing shortage squeezes labor force
Hancock County residents pay higher share of income on rent, mortgages
On an overcast February day, with the help of contractors donating their services, Island Housing Trust had a small house trucked a couple of miles along wooded roads from one…
March 15
Washburn & Doughty wins ferry bid
Maine’s Department of Transportation has awarded the contract for a new ferry to Washburn & Doughty of East Boothbay. The company was one of five bidders for the 154-foot passenger-vehicle…
March 15
When right whales die, lobstermen get nervous
Right whales face extinction, lobster industry wary of new rules
Seventeen endangered North Atlantic right whales died in Canadian and U.S. waters in 2017. Now scientists are saying the increase in deaths and decrease of calving rates could mean the…
March 7
Lobster landings, value dipped in 2017
Industry managers say fishery remains strong
Lobster landings and the value of the catch both decreased in 2017, but Department of Marine Resources officials say the fishery remains strong. Almost 111 million pounds of lobster were…
March 3
Ferry service still pondering rate hike
Decision will be made by DOT commissioner
After taking public comment at three public hearings in recent weeks on Islesboro, Vinalhaven, and Swan’s Island, and accepting written submissions through March 2, the Maine State Ferry Service has…
February 15
Washington County business imports new scallop drag
N-Viro Dredge touted as environmentally friendly, easier on bottom and fuel
It’s the difference between a snowplow and a rake. The traditional way of harvesting scallops, the high-value seafood now in season, uses a dredge, or drag. Heavy chains or steel…
February 5
Two scientists win fellowships in Washington D.C.
Formerly with Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, Farr and Rodrigue named Knauss Fellows
Since 1979, the National Sea Grant College Program has administered one of the nation’s most prestigious marine policy fellowship programs, sending over 1,200 professionals with backgrounds in science, policy, management,…
February 2
Islands I like, others that are navigational hazards
Kitchen design trend may not serve the cook as well as believed
Obviously, I like islands. I live on one and find that I like to vacation on them—Cyprus, England, the Orkneys off Scotland’s north coast, Hawaii, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton,…
February 2
Our golden age of lobster continues, but...
Income down in 2017, but species remains dominant
Last year was disappointing for the lobster fishery, with many fishermen estimating their earnings down an estimated 20 percent to 30 percent compared with 2016. But a look at the…
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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