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February 2
Return of menhaden, bigger quotas, good news for Maine
Forage species provides bait, income for lobstermen
Wherever there’s an abundance of Atlantic menhaden along the East Coast, there, too, is an abundance of other wildlife—humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins, striped bass and bluefish, and bald eagles and osprey. That’s because menhaden, commonly called “pogies” by fishermen, are a key forage species. “When we saw the pogies coming in, there were whales and tuna right up along…
February 2
The North Haven effect
Small island population represents itself around the planet
Winter is the time when North Haven’s diaspora spreads far and wide. Sure, the core 350 of us stay put, keeping the lights on at Waterman’s, the school, the store,…
February 2
Yielding to winter weather a wise response
In the depths of the season, beauty and reflection can be found
This winter started off with a bang. As we spent our Christmas holidays with family in Baltimore, we watched the weather reports from home, seeing ice, high winds, and lots…
January 31
Estaury Beat: Plastic pollution, Union River dam, Sheepscot River...
Researchers study plastic pollution in Blue Hill Bay Scientists working for the Marine & Environmental Research Institute have been studying plastic pollution since 2012, and this work was continued by…
January 31
From patriarchy and matriarchy to process
The model of community leadership is changing—as it must
On Jan. 19, the Island Institute hosted its second annual Waypoints Forum in Portland. (Videos of the presentations can be seen here.) The theme this year was “Waterfront Futures.” During a…
January 30
'And the Sparrow Fell,' a tragedy of heroism and healing
Former member of Congress and Monhegan summer resident Robert Mrazek’s novel unravels Vietnam experience
It’s the story of a boy, a girl, and another boy. But Robert Mrazek’s latest novel, And the Sparrow Fell, is not quite a love story. Yes, college student Rick…
January 30
Norway firm plans $400 million land-based salmon farm in Belfast
Nordic Aquafarms hopes to be producing 13 million pounds in tanks by 2020
From left: Elizabeth Ransom (Ransom Consulting), Lars-Henrik Røren (Chairman of NAF), Sen. Angus King, Erik Heim (CEO and founder of Nordic Aquafarms), and Peter DelGreco and Ashley Pringle (Maine &…
January 29
An island as I least expected it
North Haven’s rich human and nonhuman ecosystem
Reflections is a monthly column written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in remote coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher…
January 29
First World War housing demand remade Bath
Historian explains how shipyard work, lack of transportation fueled boom
One hundred years ago, as the U.S. ramped up its involvement in what was sometimes called the “War to End All Wars,” the city of Bath had a problem. Its…
January 29
Island mud inspires Vinalhaven man’s skin-care business
Maine Magic Mud touted for healing, exfoliating, scrubbing, and more
Inspired by the natural resources of his island home, Vinalhaven’s Willie Drury has launched a line of skin care products he’s calling Maine Magic Mud. Drury, 25, returned home after…
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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