An artist's rendering of what the new Machias dike on Route 1 would look like.

Working Waterfront

Stakeholders find common vision for Machias dike

Revolutionary War-era patriots once captured a British sloop, the H.M.S. Margaretta, in Machias Bay, then sailed the vessel high up the Middle River, hiding it there near the abundant salt grasses which attracted settlers to Machias in the first place. Today, a dike and causeway span the point where the… SEE MORE

Artist's rendering of land-based portion of salmon farm proposed for Frenchman Bay.

Working Waterfront

Is Maine hosting the best aquaculture technology?

Maine’s coast is witnessing multiple plans for large aquaculture projects, including two new sites planned for Frenchman Bay, in addition to those in Belfast, Bucksport, and Jonesport. For some, the possibility of jobs and tax revenue from industrial-sized aquaculture is appealing. The success of these plans, however, is dependent upon… SEE MORE

The patrol vessel Endeavor is a new state-of-the-art addition to the Maine Marine Patrol fleet.

Working Waterfront

Marine Patrol adds new vessel

The Maine Marine Patrol has added a new state-of-the-art vessel to its fleet. The Endeavor, a 42-foot vessel with a Calvin Beal hull, was built by Farrin’s Boat Shop in Walpole and launched recently in South Bristol. She will be home ported in West Boothbay. “The crew at Farrin’s has… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Lobster Institute is hub for industry, science

[caption id="attachment_27491" align="alignleft" width="300"] Rick Wahle PHOTO: COURTESY LOBSTER INSTITUTE[/caption] Earlier this year, federal funding became available to study the interaction between the burgeoning offshore renewable energy industry and other ocean users in an area from the Gulf of Maine to waters off New York. It was an opportunity to… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Feds limit lobstering to protect right whales

A long-anticipated ruling by the National Marine Fisheries Service aimed at protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale was issued Aug. 30. The ruling impacts Maine’s signature fishery on several fronts. The key components mean lobster fishermen with federal permits can no longer set traps using vertical buoy lines from… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The tenuousness of wild places

I'm writing this month's column poolside, a very unusual place for me to be. After not leaving the state for 18 months, Bill, Penrose, and I masked up, braved a transcontinental plane ride, and landed in San Diego in late June. After a few days of Mexican food, record shopping,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A sober measure of ocean resilience

When we talk about ocean resilience, we are talking about capacity to heal and sustain ocean systems over time when interrupted by natural events such as extreme weather, flooding, and earthquakes. The challenge is the intrusion of human activities such as nearshore development, agricultural run-off, industrial pollution, filling and dredging,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Revisiting Isaac’s Storm

Isaac’s Storm: A man, a time, and the deadliest hurricane in history By Erik Larson Now that nearly everyone with a three-digit IQ has come to realize that “denial” is not just a river in Egypt, confronting the relentless challenges of climate change has emerged as a global priority, should… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Progress through personal connection

Reflections is written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. When my fellowship began a year ago, I’ll admit I was a bit lost. My host organization, the Downeast Institute… SEE MORE

Ethan DeBery, owner of Fish 'n Trips, in Phippsburg aboard his AJ-28-foot lobster boat.

Working Waterfront

Lobster tour operators say demand is strong

[caption id="attachment_27030" align="aligncenter" width="600"] DeBery shows two-year-old Kieran Park what running a lobster boat is all about.[/caption] PHOTOS BY KELLI PARK How well is Ethan DeBery doing with lobster boat charters? So well, that he has advice for his colleagues. “People have asked me, ‘Why don’t half of the lobstermen… SEE MORE