A view of the shore of Peaks Island. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Smart housing: focus on density and character

The state faces a decision—how can we maintain the character of non-urban life while encouraging the building necessary to house the working- and middle-class people struggling to find consistent housing? SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Finally, a plan to remediate Penobscot River mercury

Some tiny bottom-dwelling organisms may have to be sacrificed for the health of a Penobscot River cove. But because these critters play an important role in the ecosystem, scientists hope to observe a temporary decline in their population along the intertidal flats of Orrington’s East Cove 3 when permits are… SEE MORE

The approach the ferry service takes to the Fox Islands Thorofare. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Coast Guard in the fog over buoys

In an apparent effort to demonstrate that it takes the Trump administration’s war on “fraud, waste, and abuse” seriously, the U.S. Coast Guard plans to discontinue—remove—more than 150 buoys and other aids to navigation, such as fixed “daybeacons,” from Maine’s coastal waters. The Coast Guard’s stated rationale for the planned… SEE MORE

Ropeless lobster gear is demonstrated in Jonesport. PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN

Working Waterfront

More testing in the works for on-demand lobster gear

As temperatures warm, the Maine lobster season is beginning in earnest. The fishery, one of the strongest remaining owner-operator in the world, known for its adaptability and heritage, has seen its share of change. Today the industry finds itself on the cusp of another possible change with the introduction of… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Our View: Maine’s marine future must include aquaculture

You have recently read several articles and op-eds in The Working Waterfront debating the role of aquaculture in Maine. As the publisher of this newspaper, Island Institute takes pride in providing a virtual, open “town square” where people can come together for hard conversations on controversial topics. As a trusted voice on the issues that affect Maine’s coast, we are also keenly aware of our responsibility to share accurate and timely information based on our own programmatic experience and expertise. SEE MORE

Where To?, by Rebecca Goodale and Arlene Morris, 2024, edition of five, 17 x 15 x 2¼ inches. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ARTISTS

Working Waterfront

Rebecca Goodale, Arlene Morris ‘build’ a clam shack

Goodale and Morris invite the reader to assemble the panels “to create a specific place during this climate crisis.” The panels can be arranged, they note, “to suit [the reader’s] aesthetic preferences..." SEE MORE

Jeff Frank speaks at the Maine Fishermen's Forum. PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN

Working Waterfront

Jeff Frank and the ‘Future of Fishing’

Name: Jeff Frank Title: Senior community development officer in Island Institute’s Center for Marine Economy Focus: I lead the business support work for the Future of Fishing program. This initiative is designed to help Maine’s fishing families and coastal communities navigate the economic uncertainty facing the lobster industry. My work… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

How nature steps up when waves get rough

There are thousands of examples from around the world, but what practitioners have found works best to show landowners the benefits of nature-based solutions is social proof—a project in your neighbor’s yard. SEE MORE

Megan Shapiro, left, and Rory Morgan of Maine Department of Marine Resources deploy a ropeless lobster trap in a demonstration of some of the new technology for community leaders and fishermen at Jonesport’s town landing on Feb. 18. See the story inside for more information about the new gear. PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN

Working Waterfront

DMR demonstrates ropeless lobster gear in Jonesport

Island Institute is supporting a project that aims to trial available types of on-demand gear through the Maine Innovative Gear Library. The goal, through paid industry participation, is to determine the real-world capabilities and challenges associated with ropeless gear. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Institute staff reflect on national waterfront conference

The Institute crew presented on efforts like marine decarbonization, storm preparedness, and greenhouse gas assessments in the seafood industry, all while learning fresh ways to drive progress and continue supporting Maine’s working waterfronts. SEE MORE