Working Waterfront

The tall task of throwing away lobster rope

Lobstermen call it pot warp: the rope that runs from the buoy on the water’s surface down to the trap on the ocean floor. A single lobsterman may use miles of it. Until the mid-20th century, pot warp was made of natural fiber—Manila, cotton, hemp—that wore out, broke down and… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Casco Bay islands team up on erosion

If you live on or near an island shoreline in the Casco Bay region, you may have already heard about a local group of volunteers who have been working hard to raise awareness about coastal erosion and related climate vulnerabilities to our islands. This collaborative group now includes representatives from… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

An old predator poses new threat to lobster

This article first appeared in UMaine News. It has been edited and condensed. Michelle Staudinger, associate professor of fisheries science, is leading a new study at the University of Maine to find out whether lobsters are being consumed by a long-known fish predator, cunner, in a new way. These small,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Coastal Maine eateries pilot reusable food containers

University of Maine student researchers are helping businesses in Bar Harbor, Bath, and South Portland incorporate reusable food containers into their dining experiences to reduce waste, through a pilot program called Reuse Maine. Participating eateries include Cafe This Way and Coffee Matter/Mother’s Kitchen in Bar Harbor, Solo Pane in Bath,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Success of Artemis II shines light back on our own blue dot

I’ve never felt more compelled to celebrate Earth Day and World Oceans Day than in 2026. Partly, these holidays—on April 22 and June 8, respectively—help us recommit to conserving our planet, a task made even more urgent as the federal government continues to deprioritize science and funding to protect it.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The continuing search for sturgeon

Right now, somewhere between the waterfronts of Bangor and Brewer, hundreds of shortnose sturgeon lie on the bottom of the Penobscot River, settled on the rocks like sardines, or the many logs that sunk during the region’s reign as Lumber Capital of the World. Soon the sturgeon will wake from… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Underwater AI data center proposed off Eastport

A new tidal power project is being proposed off Eastport, but whether the developer has the technical expertise and financial backing to proceed with the proposal is not clear. Along with planning to provide electricity to local communities, the company, DeepGreen Western Passage SPV LLC, is seeking to power underwater… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

York County rebuilding dunes

A crew guided a York County barge equipped with a giant sea vacuum across the waters of Wells Harbor in late February. One contractor nudged the so-called dredge in a tiny tugboat. Another manned the equipment, which sucked up sand from the seabed. Still more workers maneuvered a more than… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Decline seen in young lobster

The good news is that Maine has more varied and sophisticated ways to measure the lobster population than ever before. The bad news is that data shows declines in larval, juvenile, young of the year, and sublegal populations, perhaps signaling a drop in landings in coming years. Nine scientists from… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine’s coast is a birder’s delight in winter

The rockbound coast of Maine is home to a greater variety of birds in winter than in summer. Many waterfowl nest on freshwater across northern Canada. Before those waterbodies freeze up in December, the birds come south to find food and shelter. Some are uncomfortable in the turbulent waters offshore,… SEE MORE

Environment